But there are others who fight battles not of this world...those who stand, rank and file, on the front lines of the war against all evil...those who push back the gates of Hades...those who bring sight to the sightless, freedom to the fettered, sustenance to the starving, life to the lifeless...those who have left homes, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, fame, and fortune to serve and die to and for this world so that others might live for eternity. These are the unsung heroes I remember today. The workers in the Lord's harvest fields who have given, who do give, and who will give more and more...the unsung heroes of our age...those "of whom the world was not worthy" (Hebrews 11:38).
There is one particular missionary I have in mind as I write this. A dear friend with whom Louise and I served in Kaokoland way back in the eighties. Life had not been kind to Tish...she had learned much in the school of "hard-knocks" as they say...and yet gladly and willingly she chose to serve Him Who had chosen her to serve.
From Left to Right: Justin, Tish (seated), Anre, and Anton
Yet in spite of the fact that life seemed to continue to give her lemons, Tish worked hard to better the lives of others. She continued to serve faithfully as a missionary of the Cross. There are many today who can call her "mother" as it was through her witness that they became children of God. Tish poured her life out as a drink offering, without compromise and without complaint.
And now, as she battles against her final enemy, an enemy that has already been swallowed up in the victorious resurrected life of our Lord Jesus Christ, those of us who are privileged to know her and the testimony of her remarkable life, can truly say that she has fought the good fight and has kept the faith. There is a crown of righteousness laid up for her which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give to her on that Day.
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