Ron Wheeler, a cartoonist and associate member of EPA, sent in an account
of a recent short-term missions trip to Guatemala. "I saw something
I had never seen before," he notes. "Members of the team passed
out Spanish versions of some of the cartoon tracts I created. (Part
of what I do as a cartoonist is write and illustrate cartoon tracts
for various tract ministries. With around 60 different titles in print,
this line of tracts has sold nearly 40 million copies.) People often
tell me that they are a powerful vehicle for communicating the Gospel
message but I had never seen how powerful they were until this mission
trip. You see, for the first time in nearly 20 years of creating these
tracts, I saw them being effectively used first hand. What an awesome
validation of my ministry that was! I saw 1000 people reading these
tracts and taking them home with them! After the presentation there
were virtually no tracts laying on the ground or in the trash. Later
in the week 123 students in that school made a commitment to Christ.
Praise God!"
He continues, "Over the course of the week we handed out nearly
5000 of my tracts. One of the places we visited was a nearby village
that worshipped a personified mannequin. Frankly, it was a bit creepy
to watch how they revere this thing and burn candles before it. While
we were praying about how to reach these people, I looked down at the
hand of one poor soul they were doing some incantations over, and he
was holding one of my cartoon tracts! As we left I looked up on the
roof where they had a desecrated cross standing, and there was a woman
reading one of my cartoon tracts! Praise God again!"
Ron's experience holds an important lesson for the many EPA members
who seldom -- if ever -- get to see their work touching lives. In print
media we seldom get to interact directly with our audience, but that
doesn't mean our work isn't making a difference. "I come back to
the United States now humbled by the knowledge of how God has gifted
me with certain tools to penetrate darkness where nothing else will
work," Ron concludes.
For more information about Ron's work or his line of tracts, write
to: ron@cartoonworks.com
To see Ron's tracts online go to: <http://www.CartoonOfTheDay.com>
_______________________________________________________________________________________
The following email was received after the above article was published:
Hi Mr. Wheeler,
I just read on the EPA Web site about your trip to Guatemala and how
you saw your tracts being used. Our church (here in Montreal, Canada)
is passionate about tract distribution and I, personally, have used
many of the tracts you've illustrated. I thought you might like to know
that our young people have even acted out a few of them as skits at
special events! :) Short but to the point, they always get a great response.
I think it's neat how I can always immediately spot your work. I'm thankful
you use your talents for God's glory and kingdom. May God continue to
bless your ministry!
In Him,
Ann-Margret Hovsepian
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Freelance Writer & Editor
www.annhovsepian.com
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