The Taliban is at it again in Afghanistan, killing Christians from America because the Taliban perceived these foreigners to be a threat to their way of life, even though they were only in Afghanistan to render services as medical professionals, doctors and dentists, to poor people in need.
The Muslim extremists did not seem to care about that. Their primary concern was to keep the Americans from sharing their Christian faith. They were afraid these foreigners were trying to lure Muslims away from Islam; however, they were members of International Assistance Mission (IAM), a non-profit Christian organization whose members purposfully do not proselytize. They allow their actions to speak louder than words, much like the Taliban’s, except IAM’s members reach out with love, not hate. They try to heal and cure, not kill and destroy.
According to a story in the Associated Press, 51 year old Dr. Thomas Grams believed so strongly in what he could do to help people in Nepal and Afghanastan, that he left his dental practice in Durango, CO so he could work full-time for Global Dental Relief. He fixed teeth and brought thousands of toothbrushes to children who had never even seen a toothbrush, teaching them how to brush their teeth, in order to improve their health and their smiles – and smile they did!
Dr. Grams teamed up with the IAM Nuristan Eye Camp team who had just trekked one hundred miles back through the Hindu Kush mountains, giving eye care to some of the poorest and most remote communities in Afghanistan. IAM also supplied eye-glasses to villagers who needed their vision corrected.
Last Thursday Dr. Grams was shot dead, along with 32 yr. old Cheryl Beckett of Ohio who specialized in mother-child health and nutritional gardening, 40 yr. old Mennonite Glen Lapp of Pennsylvania who helped manage IAM’s provincial ophthalmic care program, 61 yr old Dr. Tom Little an optometrist from New York, and 63 yr old Dan Terry from Wisconsin.
In all there were 6 Americans, one Briton, one German, and two Afghans whose bodies were found on Friday, Aug. 6, from the Taliban’s attack the day before. It has been reported that one Afghan driver for the group was spared because, according to police, he was able to recite verses from the Quran as he begged for his life.
As sad and horrible as this event was for those who were killed, and their families, and all those whose lives have been enriched by the sacrifices and generosity of these men and women now dead at the hands of violent Muslims, may it be as strong a reminder to each of us to appreciate our families, friends, and those people who strive to make our lives happier and healthier, like our doctors and dentists. (The Good Dentist Guide – Fort Worth, TX)
These missionaries believed it was best to honor God, not by disobeying the law of the land
(proselytizing is a capital offense in Afghanastan) but rather by doing the best they could with the gifts and opportunities that God had given them. Yes they were killed for it, completely misunderstood and hated by those who opposed them; nevertheless, let it not deter us from doing good to all people, in Jesus’ name. For He promised us not a life of ease and comfort filled with earthly rewards, but rather persecution and struggle and a heavenly home to those whose faith and rest is in Christ alone.
