HE WAS A HUMBLE SERVANT OF THE LORD -- Just A Minute Radio for November 27th 2009

            Hello again… It’s FRIDAY – and we have a wonderful ‘homegoing’ story as the subject of today’s program.

 

            Many listeners know, or at least know of, Dr. John Dreisbach, medical missionary to Africa and other lands, who along with their family, have devoted themselves to bringing the healing Gospel as well as physical healing to as many locations and ministries as possible.  What isn’t so well known is the humility exhibited by Dr. John, his wife Betty and their children. Actually, they have many accomplishments to point to… But Dr. John always wanted attention to go to the Gospel and not to him or his family.

 

            Barbara and I had the good fortune to portray their mission work in the southern Sahara desert where they ministered, trying to reach the “Blue Men of the Desert” as a tribe of nomads were called in the borderlands of the Niger.  Achieving some success with a clinic which touched the tribal people of that area, Dr. John and his wife, – a nurse – performed surgeries on some afflicted by leprosy and other debilitating conditions, as well as attending to other medical needs in rather extraordinary and primitive conditions. It’s all in an hour-long film available at the BJU bookstore called “Beyond the Night.” If you see it, you’ll be surprised to see this film depicting Africa, that was almost totally shot on the Unusual Film soundstage right here in Greenville.

 

            The truly amazing thing is the reaction I’ve heard from missionaries in Africa and other difficult places, to seeing the film and the difficulties overcome in places hostile to the proclamation of the Gospel.  The film is based on true events and the Dreisbach’s were consultants to its shooting as directed by Dr. Katherine Stenholm of Unusual Films. It was done in the days before computers – which are used now to fill in unusual locations – were common.

 

            Mainly however, the film demonstrates the faithfulness of the Dreisbach’s and their efforts to reach the unreached. It’s not out of date with some of the issues at work in our nation today and I think you would be benefitted as well as challenged if you’ve not seen it.

 

            In any case, Dr. John and Betty are true saints, now with the Lord, who are worthy examples of faithful and humble servants in difficult places. 

 

            Thanks for listening and tuning in.

 

            Cordially, IN HIM

 

            Jack and Barbara Buttram

 

http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama11-27-09.mp3

 

http://www.jebcovoice.net/scripts/jamt11-27-09.doc

 

If the links don’t work, please try copying to your browser.

 

 

“JUST AMINUTE”

HE WAS A HUMBLE SERVANT OF THE LORD

JUST A MINUTE: Today, JUST A MINUTE, is devoted to the memory of Dr. John Dreisbach, now with the Lord.  John and Betty, dear personal friends, deflected all attention away from themselves and toward the Lord.  They and  their daughter Ann, were guests with us often in our Greenville home.

Affectionately known as Dr. John, who would have been 88 December 23^rd, he refused leukemia treatment to meet his Lord sooner.

Their family served many years in Africa attempting to touch unreached people groups in very difficult places, enduring much hardship and opposition from government officials opposed to their humanitarian work, choosing to maintain government control over meeting the needs of their people. That story is told in a BJU film called BEYOND THE NIGHT, demonstrating difficulties encountered when rulers feel threatened by the Gospel. 

John and Betty were among the most selfless people we’ve ever known.  Barbara and I count it a wonderful privilege to have encountered them and been associated with their work for the Lord.

<> I’m Jack Buttram

Jebco Editorial Service

www.justaminuteradio.blogspot.com

e-mail n4zhk@arrl.net