Nard's First Book

This story is of a man named Nard Pugyao who came and spoke at Wycliffe last week.

Nard grew up, as he called himself, "a dirty-little-savage" in the remote hills of the Philippines. When he was about seven years old, he was sent to school 10 miles away. He failed 1st grade because the books and lessons were in a different language than that which his tribe spoke, so his father had him help with the hard labor in the rice fields... until one life changing day.

Richard, or Dick as his friends called him, stood out like a skittle among cheerios in the tribe's village. White, blue-eyed, blonde, and 6'2", he was soon bombarded with questions as to why he was in the village. He would answer to the best of his ability "I'm here to learn your language". Within a few days, a man came with his teen-aged son and said, "Here. My son will help you learn our language" and the man left Nard there with Dick.

The next few months of Nard's life were eye-opening. He learned where Dick was from and why he was living with them. Dick would talk about a God who created everything, was all powerful, and how He wanted to know Nard's people. Nard didn't really pay much attention to Dick's God, but he did listen to what Dick had to say about the outside world.

One day, after months of study and translation, Dick handed Nard his first book in his language- the gospel of Mark. Excited, Nard ran off to the hills, sat on a rock, and dove into his new-found treasure.

He saw Jesus heal people.

..... He saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead.

........... He saw how the crowds praised Him as He rode into Jerusalem.

Nard became excited, expecting a wonderful battle with the Romans and Jesus winning. He kept reading and saw Jesus betrayed by Judas.

He saw Jesus made prisoner.
..... He saw Jesus nailed to a tree.

........... He saw Jesus die.

Nard became so furious he threw the book as far as he could, yelling, "What kind of God are You if You can't even save Yourself?!!" And started walking back to his village.

But here's the power of God, dear reader. As Nard was walking home, the thought came into his mind that that was the first book he ever read... he may as well finish it! So he ran back and found where it had fallen. Continuing his reading, he saw Jesus buried. He saw the disciples and women distraught. But then, dear brothers and sisters, he saw the glorious resurrection of Jesus and cried out "I understand now!" It was then that Dick's God became his God, and Nard became our brother in Jesus Christ.

God worked a miracle in Nard's life, just from his first book.

Dick Roe & Nard Pugyao

If...

If I have not compassion on my fellow servant,
even as my Lord had pity on me,
then I know nothing of Calvary Love.

If a sudden jar can cause me to speak
an impatient, unloving word,
then I know nothing of Calvary Love.

If I covet any place on earth but
the dust at the foot of the Cross,
then I know nothing of Calvary Love.

These are all from Amy Carmichael's books "If". A small book, but life changing.

This book is not for the faint of heart; it is conscience-pricking and spirit-piercing. How convicting each sentence is, for I have fallen prey to each one of them!

These three already mentioned "if"s are my favorite ones because they remind me of what my Lord has done for me, how I am now supposed to act, and how I can grow more in love with my Savior.

#1- Compassion: Jesus laid down His life that we might gain eternity! His compassion on us- while we were still sinners and lived a life that scorned Him (Rom. 5:8)- that compassion He had for the most unlovely, for me, how can I not do the same?

#2- Patience: Now, being imitators of Christ, we are called to put away worldly things. Rivalries, dissentions, divisions (Gal. 5:20), anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech (Col. 3:8), but instead be kindhearted to one another, tenderhearted (Eph. 4:31), letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts (Col. 3:14). Am I able to demonstrate God's love through my patience with others?

#3- Coveteousness: I struggle with this one daily. Do you know where I would rather be than with God, sometimes? In my bed. Yup. So many days I want to sleep in, go to bed early, or just catch a few more winks instead of spend that time reading the beautiful letter that He has written for me! The letter that is fresh and new each day! What do I covet more- time spent for myself or for my Savior?

Read the book. I dare you.