28/09/2024
“In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” (2 Corinthians 11:26-27)
These words from the Apostle Paul ring true not just for the apostles of old but also for modern-day missionaries who are relentlessly taking the gospel to the unreached. This is the story of countless missionaries who willingly face unimaginable dangers and hardships to ensure that the light of the gospel shines in every dark corner of this world. It is the story of my husband, Apostle Onilude Olatunji, whose journeys mirror the sacrificial pathways Paul once walked, all to bring the gospel to the unreached.
The Realities of Mission Work: The Journey of Sacrifice
When Apostle Olatunji comes home and shares his experiences, the reality of mission work hits home. There are no glamorous stories or easy victories. The journey is filled with long treks through thick forests and deserted lands, navigating through villages where no roads connect, and traveling through waters that seem to threaten life itself. It’s a journey that requires both physical strength and divine fortitude.
The reality is that many missionaries travel miles on foot to reach villages still given to idol worship, places where the gospel has never been heard. The journey is often treacherous, with provisions running out along the way. Yet, these missionaries press on, enduring hunger, thirst, and exhaustion, driven by the call to take the gospel to every tribe, every tongue, and every nation.
There are moments, as a wife, when the weight of this journey feels overwhelming. When Apostle Olatunji returns home, having trekked miles with no food or water, I feel the pain of his sacrifice. “Must we go through this?” I often ask myself. But his response is always the same: “Jesus paid for humanity’s redemption with His blood, and the first missionaries who brought the gospel to Africa paid with their blood too. By all means, at all costs, the gospel must reach the unreached!”
This truth pierces my heart every time. The gospel we carry is not a cheap message. It’s a message that has always required sacrifice, from the blood of our Savior to the sweat and tears of those who came before us. And today, it demands nothing less from us.
Missionaries across Africa continue to face countless perils, trekking through rugged terrains, crossing dangerous rivers, and walking for hours just to reach a soul hungry for the truth. Yet, despite the challenges, the fire in their hearts burns brighter. They know that by all means, the torch of the gospel must be passed to the next generation of missionaries.
As I look at my husband, Apostle Onilude, I see a man whose feet may be weary but whose spirit remains unbroken. I see the reflection of countless others who have given their all to ensure that the gospel reaches every corner of this earth. I am reminded that the mission field is not for the faint-hearted but for those who have truly understood the cost of the cross.
A Call to Action: By All Means, At All Cost
The call to missions is not just for those who go; it’s for all of us. We are called to support, to pray, and to ensure that the message of Christ reaches even the remotest parts of the world. Our role may not be to trek miles through forests or navigate dangerous waters, but we have a part to play in ensuring that the gospel torch is passed to the next generation.
Let us remember that the mission field is not just a place but a mandate. It’s a call to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that desperately needs Him. And as we stand with those who go, may we be reminded that the gospel is worth every sacrifice, every tear, and every step.
This is our story; this is our journey. By all means, at all costs, the gospel must reach the unreached.
I am Bunmi Onilude
