Miracle on the Orient Express I
People often confidently tell me, “In business and life, there is no divine intervention behind success; God only rewards hard work and dedication.”
However, my experience is that God often does intervene in mysterious ways when we are willing to acknowledge and recognize Him.
Spiritual Leadership
This 3-part story, Miracle on The Orient Express, tells of God’s direct intervention in my life. I recount this story often to remind myself that God does do miracles in the 21st Century. And, if a miracle can happen on the Orient Express, then surely a miracle can happen in my workplace today!
Miracle on the Orient Express
The intolerant political and social climate of the Communist Bloc creates harsh living conditions for all people locked in their grip. However, Christians are especially targeted for brutal treatment.
It’s July 1980 and I’m working with the Slavic Gospel Association. My partner and I are tasked with delivering two large, orange backpacks overly stuffed with Bibles into Romania, one of the countries behind the Iron Curtain. My backpack is so heavy that when I lift it, I am certain the muscles on my back will rip away from the bone! However, this is our mission.
On this fourth trip behind the Iron Curtain, each with a different mode of transportation, I feel a higher level of anxiety. This time, we’re on the infamous Orient Express. The excitement of my earlier trips is replaced by an acute awareness of the danger of our task. In this business, all border crossings are tenuous. At each border crossing, the guards are trained to ask and search for four items:
- Guns and ammunition,
- Drugs and any sort of narcotics,
- Pornography, and
- Bibles or “Biblios.”
This trip has two high-stakes crossings, the Austrian-Hungarian border and the Hungarian-Romanian border. Both countries are actively ridding Christians from their populations. However, how will they treat outsiders? There is one of four possible treatments for possessing Bibles at the border crossing:
- the go-home-silly-idealistic-American-tourists conversation,
- a good-cop interrogation to see what you’ll divulge, followed by number one,
- a bad-cop routine as they try persuade you to spill info about your contacts within their country, or
- the six-months-in-a-Third-World-prison-until-the-American-Embassy-rescues-you option.
Reality number four hangs over us like an ominous shadow.
My idealism of a couple of months ago is tempered by the experiences of friends who have experienced each of the above scenarios. Only 12 months ago, three of my colleagues were detained going into Czechoslovakia and spent three months in this Third World prison. When I talked with Martha, one of the detainees, she recounted the chilling horrors that are beyond imagination. Surprisingly, after going through hell-on-earth, she concludes that the best place to be is to be at the center of God’s will…..regardless of the consequences. Her faith inspires me.
As I prepare for the trip, I re-ask myself the question I’ve asked myself numerous times, “Am I willing to risk my life to deliver Bibles to people I don’t even know?!?”
After hours of emotional wrestling, I come to the same conclusion as Martha: The best place to be is at the center of God’s will, regardless of the consequences.
The Marketplace Minister’s Question: What is the difficult situation that you’re facing?
The Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: The best place to be is at the center of God’s will, regardless of the consequences.
For the next post on Miracle on the Orient Express go here.
Do you need a faith-building speaker for an upcoming event? If yes, contact me via eMail at danita@SalesGS.com or call me at 612-267-3320.
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
The Greatest Fear for the Christian Business Person
Anyone and everyone who knows me quickly realizes that I’m a highly task oriented person who gets a thrill from crossing items off my To Do List.
The Greatest Fear for the Christian Business Leader
In many respects, that’s a good thing. However, this strength can also be a sinister trap. I may get too involved in my To Do List when the task might not be a wise or prudent endeavor. Therefore, I’m always cut to the core with this saying:
“Our greatest fear should be that we succeed at something that isn’t important to God.“
What’s a solution to this tendency? How about taking our To Do Lists to prayer with us and asking for wisdom to know what to cross off the list and what to keep?
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
What is the Greatest for the Christian Entrepreneur?
As you approach your business and career this week, I trust that you’ll find this challenging in your Christian Leadership walk:
Greatest Day Today
Greatest Handicap Fear
Greatest Mistake Giving Up
Greatest Stumbling Block Ego
Easiest Thing to Do Find Fault
Greatest Comfort Work Well Done
Greatest Need Common Sense
Greatest Gift Forgiveness
(Author Unknown)
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Tanzanian Christian Entrepreneur, Rebecca
I met a Marketplace Minister, a Christian Businesswoman, while in Tanzania with Cheetah Development. During our trek, I visited Bomalang’ombe, one of the key villages targeted for Cheetah’s economic development project. While there, Rebecca, a 50 year old woman Christian entrepreneur who acts as my interpreter, quickly becomes a friend.
Tanzania Business woman
Rebecca is only a recipient of an 8th grade eduction; is one of the poorest of the poor, being a widow for 10 years with two young children; and currently lives in one of the poorest regions of Africa. However, she is catching a vision for becoming a business women–she plants her first maize field this year at the encouragement of Ray, the Executive Director of Cheetah Development.
Even though Rebecca lives in a culture very different than our, we have a deep discussion about the greatness of God. Although we work through many scriptures, a key one is Ephesians 3:20–when God is working in us, He does more than we could ever think of asking!
I quickly realize that even though we come for very different backgrounds, we serve the same majestic God. Because, we serve the same God, the truths of “My Beloved Child” belong to both of us.
In fact, the truths belong to you also, as one who is strategically placed in your business in order to expand God’s Kingdom.
Be encouraged; and encourage other Christian business professional that you meet today.
My Beloved Child
You do not have to be clever to please me. All you have to do is want to love me. Just speak to me as you anyone of whom you are very fond.
Are there any people you want to pray for? Say their names to me and ask of me as much as you like. I am generous and I know all their needs, but I want you to show your love for them and for me by trusting me to do what I know best.
Tell me about the poor, the sick, the sinners and if you have lost the friendship or affection of anyone, tell me about that too.
Is there anything you want for your soul? If you like you can write out a long list of all your needs, and come and read it to me. Just tell me about your pride, your touchiness, self-centeredness, meanness, and laziness. Do not be ashamed; there are many saints in Heaven who had the same faults as you, and little by little, their faults were corrected.
Do not hesitate to ask me for blessings for the body and the mind; for health, memory, success. I can give everything needed to make souls holier.
What is it that you want today? Tell me, for I long to do you good. What are your plans? Tell me about them. Is there anyone you want to please? What is it that you want to do for them?
And don’t you want to do anything for me? Don’t you want me to do a little good to the soul of your friend who perhaps has forgotten me? Tell me all about it and add that you will forgive and forget, and I will bless you.
Are you afraid of anything? Have you any tormenting, unreasonable fears? Trust yourself to me. I am here. I see everything. I will not leave you.
Have you no joys to tell me about? Why do you not share your happiness with me? Tell me what has happened since yesterday to cheer and comfort you. Whatever it was, however big, however small, I prepared it. Show me your gratitude and thank me.
Well, go along now. Get on with your work. Try to be quieter, humbler, more submissive, kinder. Come back soon and bring me a more devoted heart. Tomorrow I shall have more blessings for you.
(Author unknown)
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
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Bold and Refreshing
Danita has a special gift of igniting others into action. Her skill and experience, partnered with ministry insight, makes Danita a powerful marketplace minister! Her sharp precision cuts right to the heart of business matters – assisting others in breaking new ground for Kingdom Advancement!- Rhonda M. Kalal, President
MN Christian Chamber of Commerce
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"Danita delivered a powerful, insightful and thought-provoking talk that dramatically kicked off the new semester with great success. She is a polished, professional and prepared speaker, yet connects with her audience as if she were having a conversation with a good friend. Thank you, Danita!"- Heather Lam
Communications & Marketing Director
Moms In Step, Woodridge Church
Medina, Minnesota