08/01/2021
https://www.revelationmedia.com/TLMaryS/RM12483/
A Bold Faith Brings Light to Dark Places
Lord, the task is impossible for me, but not for Thee. Lead the way and I will follow. —Mary Slessor
The bold Scottish missionary Mary Slessor went deeper into the Nigerian jungle than any other, bringing with her medicine, education, and the life-changing message of the Gospel. When a young mother arrived on her doorstep in the dead of night with newborn twins, Mary boldly stepped into the dangers of the Nigerian jungle and stood up against a witch doctor to save hundreds of newborn babies and bring the good news of a loving God to a people who had never heard the name Jesus.
The Okoyong people were violent. They had murdered every missionary that had tried to reach them before, and it was a tribal custom that any accused person in a dispute would be presented with poisoned oil. If the person had lied, they would die, or so the tribe thought—but the oil was simply poisonous, and killed all who drank it. Steeped in their pagan culture, the Okoyong also practiced infanticide. Twin babies were considered evil, a sign of a curse. These children were left to die in clay pots in the forest, while their mother was sentenced to death.
The deaths of innocent babies and mothers compelled Mary to help the Okoyong people turn aside from their evil ways. She approached this violent tribe, trusting that God would protect her. And He did! Mary was the first missionary to be accepted into their tribe. She rescued hundreds of infants, and adopted every child she found who was left alone. Mary rescued so many children that she opened an orphan home where she cared for them, and became well-known among tribal members and other area tribes for her love and care for all orphans.
Mary helped more than orphans, she was also a healer. She brought medicine to heal the sick, and won the trust and admiration of the Okoyong people as being kind and compassionate. She didn't only heal their physical bodies, though, she brought spiritual healing. Where there were pagan rituals, Mary brought the truth of the Scriptures; where there were curses cast over people, Mary proclaimed the Word of God. The Okoyong were delivered from the darkness of death and unbelief through the power of the Gospel.
Mary was, above all things, brave. She was known to wrestle guns from the hands of drunken natives who were twice her size. She became a judge, and would help handle disputes among warring tribes. From the beginning of her journey into the jungle, to the work she accomplished as a mediator, healer, and teacher, Mary Slessor was an astounding woman—a hero of the faith.
“If you are ever inclined to pray for a missionary, do it at once, wherever you are.” —Mary Slessor
Mary Slessor stepped into the darkness of the jungle to bring the truth of the Gospel to a people that didn't know God. She stood against evil with love. She healed the sick, cared deeply for people who were not like her, rescued the least of these, and became known for her love of others. As children of God, we are bearers of light and truth. If we love our neighbors, those who look like us, and those who don't, and show kindness to those who we don't see as deserving, we too can become known as a people of love. God is sure to do amazing things through us, and perhaps even use us to save people who don't know Him.
The Mary Slessor Story is the newest addition to the Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith series. To learn more about this amazing woman of God, simply click below, enter your email address, and watch The Mary Slessor Story before its official release.
Torchlighters are action-packed, award-winning animated DVDs, featuring real-life faith heroes that kids can depend on.
