Mark a Disciple of Jesus Christ

Mark, or as I call him, “Mary Mark”, is a very close Filipino brother of mine. He is 32 years old and from the island of Luzon. He is currently in his last year at the school and growing everyday in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. I am amazed as Mark and I talk about Jesus. Mark speaks of someone he knows, someone he has experienced and loves! He speaks of Jesus as if he has touched to wound in His side and seen the scares on His hands. He has experienced Jesus in such a real way, that he will never be the same again.

Mark will be an intern, hopefully my intern and teacher here at the school next year. The calling on his life is clear; Mark will lead God's people as a pastor and make disciples that make disciples.

No one would have thought this of Mark two years ago. Mark was a hopeless drunk and had very nearly drunken himself to death and destroyed his family. Mark was sent from Manila to Pastor Ron's church in Western Samar to detox and hopefully surrender his life to the Lord. Pastor Ron brought me over to his church to be with Mark and keep an eye on him. I tried to talk with him and encourage him, but he was so depressed he could not respond. I remember looking over at him and seeing a man consumed with sadness, hopelessness and darkness. I would have thought there was no chance for him if I had not just recently been in the same place.

After a month Mark was sent over to the school in Eastern Samar. He had never read a Bible and had never really been taught about Jesus. But what he did know, is that he needed help and at this point in his life he was willing to look anywhere. I can remember looking over from my bed and observing Mark trying to read his Bible. I could see the struggle within, he had no idea what he was reading and was so consumed by his flesh that he could not sit still.

By the end of the year Mark and I had become very close. By this time, Mark was feeling much better. He lacked in understanding of the Word, but he was content for the first time and experiencing the abundant life in Christ.

Mark went home for the summer and planned on finding a job in order to help support his family. But while home, he fell and humbly returned to the school.

Over the next year, Mark me and Bobby, sought the Lord every day. We had many trials and hard times and many good fun times, but we stayed together bonded in love. Mark began to grow a lot this year as I began to work with him one on one. We cried out to the Lord for more of Him and sought Him in the Word, prayer and fellowship. The Lord did not disappoint! He revealed himself to Mark, Bobby and me in such a way that our lives were continually changing.

By the end of this year Mark could not hold his testimony in, he was bursting with thankfulness for what the Lord had done, giving him life and life abundantly. He also had grown in the understanding of the Gospel that he could now articulate and confidently speak of what he knew. I watched one day as Mark spoke to one of the prominent Catholic families in our village. I observed them as Mark spoke of the One he knew personally. The humbled and slightly confused look on their face was clear; they could tell there was something different about what he was telling them.

Now, incredibly and against all odds Mark is still here and still seeking the Lord. He is absolutely a changed man. He is gifted in teaching and leadership and just the other day gave an amazing short message to the prisoners.

As I look back to the man lying on his bed, consumed with depression, hopelessness and darkness, I become very thankful. Now I see a man who is a disciple of Jesus, a man who has gone from death to life and is telling the world of the faithfulness of God in his life.

By the grace of God, Mark is now a disciple who is ready to make disciples.

Father, let us be consumed with carrying on the mission of Jesus, to bring the world to a knowledge of God, which is life. Let us first experience and know You in such a way that we could not hold in what we know and what we have seen through the eyes and life of faith. Let our hearts burn with a desire for You that burns eternally and drives our every thought and action. Let me never forget who I am apart from You and the wickedness of the sin that dwells within, less I be puffed up with pride. Humble me Lord, I don't ask for more but for less, that I learn to trust in You in new ways. Be not far from us Lord, I cannot stand the thought, but hold us in Your loving in brace so that we can rest in the midst of the war that rages on around us. Let Your will be done in our lives and allow our hearts to be fully submissive to Your will. Amen

I have up loaded a picture of Mark and me, as well as my hand after the centipede bite. I will also upload a video and pictures of the local mdicine man I went to for treatment.