I recently heard a story that broke my heart and simultaneously filled me with hope. I have to share it because people like you have had a hand in it.
A church planter named Apolonio was working in Nicaragua, planting seeds for the gospel and distributing Light Bearers literature. About a year ago, Apolonio was invited to a quinceañera celebration in a remote area. At the party, he met a man named Daniel. They connected. When Apolonio ran into Daniel again some time later, he gave him a Bible. A Bible provided through the generosity of people like you and placed in Daniel’s hands in a moment that seemed ordinary.
Daniel was in a hospital in the capital, Managua, over 300 kilometers away. His chances of survival weren’t good.
Months passed. Apolonio didn’t see Daniel or his family again, as they lived in a remote part of the country.
Then one November day, Apolonio’s phone rang. It was Daniel’s family. Daniel was in a hospital in the capital, Managua, over 300 kilometers away. His chances of survival weren’t good. His family was desperate for hope. Could Apolonio come?
Apolonio couldn’t make the journey himself, so he sent a friend to pray with Daniel and anoint him with oil. The next day, the doctors released Daniel from the hospital. He traveled back to Apolonio’s town. He sat with Apolonio and asked to hear the gospel. Apolonio opened his Bible and began to share the hope and forgiveness that only Jesus offers.
Over the next few days, Daniel’s heart changed. He accepted Christ. On December 4, he was baptized alongside his mother.
Tragically, though, a week later, Daniel died from complications from his illness.
Here is what he said before he died: He felt calm. He was at peace with God.
They say there are only six degrees of separation between any two people in the world. That isn’t very much if you think about it. Because people like you gave what they could, a Bible was placed in Daniel’s hands months before anyone knew what would happen to him. The love of God in the hearts of His people moved, like an electrical pulse, across the world to light up his life in an eternal way.
The story doesn’t end with Daniel, though. Today, twelve of his relatives are studying the Bible with Apolonio.
Our hearts are saddened as we think of Daniel’s grieving family, and we’d like to ask you to pray for them as they grieve. We also are filled with hope, knowing we will see Daniel in the resurrection morning.
The story doesn’t end with Daniel, though. Today, twelve of his relatives are studying the Bible with Apolonio. They want to know the God that gave Daniel peace in his darkest hour.
When you support Light Bearers, your gift places Bibles and Bible study guides into the hands of local pastors, Bible workers, and laypeople across the globe. It helps us create new podcasts, teach at ARISE, host events like our annual Convocation, and so much more, spreading the good news. It helps connect people to the peace-bringing message they need in their darkest hours.
If you’d like to help spread the gospel in Nicaragua and all over the world, would you consider partnering with us financially?
YES, I WANT TO IMPACT MORE LIVES WITH MY GIFT!
Ty Gibson
Ty is a speaker/director of Light Bearers. A passionate communicator with a message that opens minds and moves hearts, Ty teaches on a variety of topics, emphasizing God’s unfailing love as the central theme of the Bible. Ty and his wife Sue have three adult children and two grandsons.
