It has been a stirring, impacting reality to me! A number of the missionary friends of our son David Hendrick and wife, Cortland, … have been murdered … martyred… because of their faith, love, and commitment to Jesus!
I invited David to share some of these moving stories on radio. He did, and you can hear it now. One of them, Karen Watson — my grandchildren called “Aunt Karen!” was among the frequent house guests to David, Cortland, and the their children while in the Middle East. As they did with several others, they hosted Karen and enjoyed their time with her.
She was later to die in an ambush of herself and four other missionaries in Mosul, Iraq, the biblical site of Nineveh and Jonah. They were the victims of rapid gunfire – and a tossed hand grenade — while in their vehicle. They were searching for a location in Mosul to drill a fresh water well for the people there.
The only survivor of the five, Kerrie McDonnell, was shot 23 times … and didn’t know anything until she awoke in medical care facility in Germany several weeks later. Her husband of hardly a year was among those who were martyred.
When he was still alive, the medical team began caring for him. He insisted that they first attend to his wife. David McDonnell died a few hours later.
Early in her commitment, Karen Watson had written a letter to her pastor to be opened if she did not return alive from the mission field. It proved to be prophetic and a powerful witness. The content of the letter has received much worldwide attention in recent years. It is seen as an example of what other missionaries might do as a witness in the event of their deaths. The moving letter is seen below:
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Dear Pastor,
You should only be opening this letter in the event of my death.
When God calls there are no regrets. I tried to share my heart with you as much as possible, my heart for the nations. I wasn’t called to a place; I was called to Him. To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory my reward, His glory my reward…
The missionary heart:
Cares more than some think is wise
Risks more than some think is safe
Dreams more than some think is practical
Expects more than some think is possible
I was called not to comfort or to success, but to obedience…
There is no joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him.
I love you and my church family.
In His care,
Salaam, Karen