The first month I was here 3 people died (not of Ebola). I had never met two of them. The third one however was an elderly man I had met the second week I was here. He had introduced himself to me and asked me where I was from and what I was doing in Kambia. I had even bought him a plate of food as he came along while I was eating just a few days before. His death came as a real shock to me. I had not once mentioned my faith to him, apart from telling him I was a children's missionary. I guess God was trying to tell me something.
Mr Yansaneh's death came as a clarion call to me that you may not have too many chances with people when it comes to spreading the gospel. The first few days afterwards, I was frantically telling people I had come into contact with that Jesus wanted to save them from their sins. Not many accepted. The region is predominantly Muslim, and leaving the faith comes with many implications. Are you ready to give that Muslim child a home, should they be thrown out after accepting Jesus Christ?
My theory is that a child by the age of 3 should have been given the chance to hear the simplified gospel and by age 5 should be allowed to decide whether they want Jesus to be their personal Saviour. It is a lie of the devil that children do not know or understand much. It is so easy to help a child understand the wonderful truths of the Gospel with only four short sentences.
GOD LIVES IN HEAVEN AND HE WANTS YOU TO LIVE WITH HIM FOREVER. Memory Verse to quote: I have loved you with an everlasting love Jer 31:3
YOU ARE A SINNER AND YOUR SIN HAS SEPARATED YOU FROM GOD. Memory Verse to quote: The wages of sin is death Rom 6:23
JESUS LOVES YOU AND HE SHED HIS BLOOD AND DIED ON THE CROSS FOR YOU. Memory Verse to quote: Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness Heb 9:22
IF YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS TODAY, JESUS WILL TAKE YOUR SIN AWAY AND TAKE YOU TO BE WITH HIM IN HEAVEN WHEN YOU DIE. Memory Verse to quote: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved Acts 16:33
Children can and do come to under conviction by the Holy Spirit, and can give their lives to Christ with understanding. The only condition is that they cannot be left alone after that. They should be nurtured to grow in the Lord. Just like a seed must be watered, children should be actively helped to grow in the Lord.
It was one awesome day when Cynthia, age 5 and small for her age, stood before the congregation. "As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is flawless. He is a Shield...", and she went on, phrase after phrase, for ten verses (Ps 18:23-33). Everyone was astounded! The applause was thunderous when she finally said the amen. But that is the power children have, to shock people with the gospel. Won't you evangelize to the child next door today? Those of you with drawing skills can easily can even draw some colourful pictures to go along with your gospel points. That will make your story even more interesting!
Jesus is coming again. He will come with His angels to take His people home. Think of all the children you know. Will they be in heaven with Jesus when He comes?
