I was delighted to receive a copy of Uncle Ray’s book, His Last Command—My First Desire, as a Christmas gift from a friend and colleague in the Northern Hemisphere last Monday.
I have wanted to buy a copy, but sadly, it’s unavailable on Amazon, and the bookstore that sells it in the US does not deliver to New Zealand.
Thanks to our generous friend and colleague who bought and sent Ray Lentzsch’s book to me. May the Lord God bless you and keep you.
As I shared in my previous post, I met Ray Lentzsch in Iloilo City, Philippines, when Operation Mobilization’s M/V Doulos docked for two weeks in 1991. That encounter with the evangelist Raymond Lentzsch changed my life.
During my two weeks with him, traveling around Iloilo City as his interpreter, I had many opportunities to train as an open-air evangelist like him.
To preserve his energy and voice, he challenged me to present the Gospel chart that he was using. I presented it at the Iloilo Provincial Jail, before the Iloilo City Hall employees, and at the Iloilo Central Market.
Then, I would call him to give the evangelistic message while I translated into the Hiligaynon language.
While skimming his book, I think of Ray Lentzsch as a modern apostle, Paul, who went on several missionary journeys.
I wished we had communicated more, but his old age might have prevented him. He never replied after our initial FB chat.
According to his friend’s post, Uncle Ray had passed on (I’m not sure what year). Reading his missionary account would fill the many years I missed hearing from him.
Reading Uncle Ray’s “His Last Command—My First Desire” would be an excellent spiritual treat this holiday season.
Thank you, Lord, for your outstanding servants who, through their works and life, inspire and encourage us through challenging times.
PHOTO CREDIT: Ray Lentzsch’s photo was “grabbed” from John O’s YouTube video, “Ray Lentzsch Story.”
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