Knocked Conscious

There's an old adage in boxing that says, "The punch you don't see coming is the one that's gonna knock you out."

Meaning that even a the quickest glimpse of the right cross that's about to take your head off is sufficient for your body to brace itself for the impact coming your way. Here's a punch I didn't see coming.

One of the three most remarkable men I've ever met is a preacher from Turiani (Tanzania) named Patrick Mgaya.

Patrick arrived to visit us in Arusha after travelling all day on an over-packed bus across unpaved roads that would make your SUV's service department cancel your warranty. He carried a small overnight bag with him but except for his Bible I have no idea what else was inside- because Patrick wore the same clothes during his four day visit.

A sugarcane farmer by trade, Patrick is a very intense man standing about 6 feet tall and weighing probably 150 pounds. He spoke no English and never had never been to seminary, but he was a man on fire with the Gospel.

Patrick prefered eating without a spoon or fork, and seemed a bit mistrustful of conveniences like plumbing, but he preached with an intensity and conviction that could only have come from knowing God and living in a relationship with Yesu Kristo ... and he was always excited to tell anyone who'd listen how Jesus had changed his life.

At home Patrick lived in a hut with no electricity or running water, but planned to buy a 125cc motorcycle because he was already preaching in as many nearby villages as he could reach by walking.

Setting money aside to buy a used $700 motorcycle (the people in Patrick's church give their tithes with chickens, seeds and cloth; how many churchgoers in the US are giving their tithes to Visa and Mastercard?) was Patrick's 3-year financial plan, and he was already more than halfway there ... because he's unwilling to forfeit even one soul to the enemy.

Over the past three years I've met some amazing men who've dedicated their lives to preaching, ministry and sharing the Gospel. They're who I look up to and respect because of their uncompromising devotion to setting their own selfishness and ambition aside, and pursuing God's purpose for their lives.

I can't think of a single person in the secular world that's had as much an impact on my life as these men have.

God has strong warriors in His army ... and sometimes they're found in the most remote, and least likely, places you'd expect.