Integrity’s Witness

February 3, 2014

By an Alliance staffer serving in the North and Central Asia Region

This adapted excerpt of a recent report illustrates the need for concerted prayer to facilitate effective ministry. Corruption is rampant in this spiritually oppressed region where being light requires an extra measure of godly wisdom:

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely” (Proverbs 10:9a).

Dangerous Crossing

Last month our daughter, Amy,* was hit by a car while crossing a street. Although the driver, Bob,* swerved to avoid her, he fractured her wrist.

We rushed Amy to the hospital, where Bob met us. He offered to pay for the x-ray and cast—about US$13, a significant amount for him. We thanked him and told him he didn’t need to pay and could go.

A policeman visited us in the hospital to inquire about the accident. We didn’t have information about Bob, except to say he’d been driving a taxi van, so the officer contacted the company’s director, Sam.*

A Test

Later that day, the policeman, Sam, and Bob came to our home. The policeman told me to write a letter explaining that Amy had fallen and fractured her wrist and the van hadn’t hit her. If I didn’t do so, Bob would lose his license for three years (unless he paid off the police).

Our Father’s Spirit had been speaking to me about integrity and how important it is for our witness here. I couldn’t agree to the terms, so we decided to reconvene in the morning. “Most people would’ve lied and taken a little money,” Sam said, surprised.

Humility Required

Meanwhile, a friend had suggested I write a letter in which I took responsibility for the accident since I hadn’t held my daughter’s hand while she crossed the street. That was hard to swallow, but it was the truth; if I’d done so, the van likely wouldn’t have hit her.

In the letter we also asked for clemency for Bob since he had done all he could to avoid Amy and had offered to assist. We gave Bob the letter, and he took it to the police. He returned with gifts for Amy over the next two days.

That weekend, Bob and his family came to our house for dinner. He told us that the police were satisfied with the letter and weren’t going to fine me. He didn’t need to pay a fine and could keep his license and continue working!

Prayer Precedes Outcome

We now have open invitations to Bob’s and Sam’s homes. This challenging situation also has allowed us to speak Truth with these men. We’ve talked about what’s more important: fearing man (the police) or doing what is right before God.

Amy’s wrist is healing well, and we’ve had a recent visit with Bob. We look forward to more interactions with him and his family.

This outcome came on the heels of an intense time of prayer with our team leaders, during which we were able to shake off the gradual build-up of the spiritual oppression that hangs over this city.

Each day we spend here makes us more grateful to have friends, like you, bringing us before our Father. We are blessed that you are working with us on your knees.

*Names changed