David Livingstone

He wandered through hundreds of miles of tropical rain forests, he ran for his life from cannibals, he fought off numerous diseases that would kill the average human being, and he did it all in the name of Christ. Africa, the Dark Continent, was unexplored back in these times. No one knew of the sickness and disease that rampaged the continent, but one man was willing to risk everything to witness to the unknown people group of Africa.

David Livingstone was a English man who explored the continent of Africa, he was actually the one who discovered Victoria Falls and Lake Victoria, named in honor of his Queen. He was an explorer both of geography and souls for Christ. His adventures go from almost being killed by cannibals, to crossing the beast infested land, to even being attacked by swarms of mosquitoes which plagued him with malaria on many occasions.

 At the time that Dr. Livingstone was traveling and teaching in Africa, the slave trade was going on as well. Men would come upon the land of Africa to take the natives and sell them to wealthy men and women for slaves. David Livingstone made this quote," Cannot the love of Christ," he asked," carry the missionary where the slave trade carries the trader?"

He had complete and utter reliance and trust in God. I wish I had such a characteristic!

David Livingstone eventually died in Africa, doing what God had called him to do. His heart was buried there in the African jungle, and his body in the Westminster Abbey in London, England.

To me David Livingstone was a patriot for obeying God's command, and not only obeying but doing it well. He was willing to go into a land where the very people he tried to help would try to kill him in return.  He lost his wife in Africa and suffered great tragedy throughout his life....yet never stopped witnessing and sharing the love of Christ.

Wow...I sit pretty much speechless thinking of his heart for the lost.  This year I pray that I will have more of a passion to reach those that need Christ that I come in contact with. 

Walking In Grace,

Abby