"We Were Martyred On That Day"
VOMRadio
The Voice of the Martyrs
4.9 • 1.4K Ratings
🗓️ 28 July 2018
⏱️ 25 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Gary Witherall and his wife, Bonnie, heard God's call to tell people in the Middle East about Jesus. They answered that call by moving to Lebanon, where they served with Operation Mobilization, building relationships with Lebanese people and Palestinian refugees—until the day Bonnie was martyred in the clinic where she served refugee women.
Listen as Gary shares about how God called them to the Middle East, what their work there was like and how each day of their ministry was unique. He'll also share how things changed on 9-11, when Gary and Bonnie saw people all around them celebrating the murder of more than 3,000 Americans.
After the attacks, they found their life and ministry more difficult, but they never considered leaving. In fact, it was after 9-11 that Gary and Bonnie determined they would stay and serve the Lord—no matter the cost. "I think we were martyred on that day," Gary says. You'll be challenged as Gary asks the question: what do you love so much you'd be willing to die for it?
Be sure to join us next week on VOM Radio as Gary tells about the day Bonnie gave her life for Christ. You can learn more about Gary's story by reading his book, Total Abandon (affiliate link).
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Gary and Bonnie Witherall were serving the Lord in Lebanon. |
| 0:03.7 | They had many close relationships with Muslim friends and neighbors. |
| 0:08.4 | But on September 11, 2001, their life and ministry got a lot more complicated. |
| 0:15.0 | I ran across the street, my heart was pounding to this kind of internet cafe, |
| 0:20.0 | and there was a TV and there was probably about 60 people all looking at this TV and seeing these |
| 0:26.7 | images. I ran across the street again up towards my house and my friend said, |
| 0:31.6 | Gotti and they're all happy everyone's happy and I ran |
| 0:36.8 | up to we lived in an apartment on Bonnie was just sitting there looking at the |
| 0:40.4 | TV weeping and as I walked in, the second plane hit that second tower. |
| 0:47.2 | And I tell you, it freaked me out. And then I started hearing cars honking up and down the street and all through the night. |
| 0:54.8 | It was the time we were getting phone calls saying do not leave your house. |
| 0:59.7 | Jesus never promised his followers an easy path. |
| 1:03.0 | In fact, he told his disciples that the world would hate them. |
| 1:06.5 | He sent them out as sheep among wolves. |
| 1:09.4 | Jesus's words came true in the life of the Apostles, |
| 1:12.4 | and they're still coming true today in the lives |
| 1:14.5 | of his followers around the world. Join host Todd Nettleton as we hear |
| 1:18.4 | their inspiring stories and learn how we can help right now on the Voice of the Martyrs Radio network. |
| 1:24.3 | Welcome again to the Voice of the Martyrs Radio. |
| 1:26.5 | My name is Todd Nettleton and we have just an awesome privilege this week of having |
| 1:31.1 | Gary Witherall with us in our studio in Barlesville, Oklahoma. |
| 1:35.2 | Gary has worked almost 30 years with O.M. Operation Mobilization. |
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