The wicked earn no real gain, but those who sow righteousness get a true reward. Proverbs 11:18 (NRSV)
Hector MacMillan (1964)
Long-Serving Missionary
Canadian Hector was serving as a missionary in the Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) when a young woman called Iona arrived to join in the work after graduating from Bible school. The pair married, had six sons, and spent 23 years there.
In August 1964 the Simba Rebellion was sweeping through the Congo and finally reached the mission station, known as Kilometre Eight, where Hector, Iona and their family lived. The rebels kept the MacMillans and the other missionaries there under house arrest.
On the morning of 24 November the rebels suddenly burst into their home and ordered everyone outside. They separated the two men of the group from the women and children. The latter were herded back into the house, only to be showered with bullets by a young rebel. Amazingly no one was killed, although two of Hector’s sons were hit. As Iona listened to what was going on outside, she heard raised voices and then more gunfire. When the rebels fled, they emerged from their home to find Hector’s body. He had been shot dead. Soon after the incident the family was evacuated in trucks, leaving Hector’s body behind in the place where he had faithfully served God.
Teach us, gracious Lord, to begin our deeds with reverence, to go on with obedience, and to finish them in love; and then to wait patiently in hope, and with cheerful confidence to look up to you, whose promises are faithful and rewards infinite; through Jesus Christ.
George Hicks (1642-1715)