The Light of Freedom

In November 1989 a marvelous event took place. The infamous Berlin Wall was torn down. After nearly 30 years of division, Berlin Germany once again became one city. Finally, people in East Berlin were free to visit their families and friends, to find out if they were even still alive, to talk to each other openly, without fear, and, after ahnost 3 decades, they could assemble together and worship God as they saw fit!

The stories of this great blessing in the lives of Berliners are as numerous as the people who lived there. Those who had suffered under the yoke of communism in East Berlin were especially blessed by it. After decades of tyranny and persecution they were FREE; They could cl choose where to live and work, where to be educated, who to date, where to play, where to shop, where to raise a family... Free to walk in the park, visit friends for Easter, even what to watch on TV. These things, and so many more, that we take for granted were suddenly new and priceless to them

One woman stood open-mouthed at a shopping center and gazed in awe at the many blessings denied her by the wall. She exclaimed: "You have so much!" Then she became very thoughtful and quiet while she said: .... "I think perhaps you have too much." .... She had lived under the communist regime for more than half her life. She had learned to survive with nothing more than the bare essentials. It alarmed and saddened her to see people with enough worldly goods that they could even waste things Better food and household goods were being discarded daily at the city dump than she used in her own home. Her home for most of the last 30 years had been on the "other side" of the Berlin wall, only 5 blocks away.

This year is also the 10th anniversary ofthe stand off at Tieneman Square in China. The image for freedom to be remembered is of one student standing firm in front of an army tank that was sent to break up demonstrations for freedom. That unarmed young man literally put his life on the line for free speech and peaceful assembly! His love for the light of freedom was there for the whole world to see. Freedom loving people everywhere should prepare to do no less.

Opposition to our freedoms may not come in the form of a 100 ton tank. They may come in the form of dishonesty, lack of compassion, improper language, immodest dress, drugs, pornography, or just plain complacency. Don't be deceived. These things are just as real and life threatening to us as that tank was to him. They take just as much courage to stand fast against. "Be prepared" to do it.

Operation On Target is ail about reflected light -- The light that comes from above! God gives us the light of freedom so we may choose for ourselves. As we choose to - "do our duties to God and our country" - and - "to keep ourselves physically strong mentally awake. and morally straight -- we choose to reflect that God given light, as surety as if we were doing it from mountaintops with our mirrors. Cherish the light of the Gospel, and the light of freedom; always be ready to reflect and defend them.

Thank you, ALL of you, for your participation in Operation On Target 1999. 1 hope it was an 'awesome' experience Perhaps to begin the new century we can complete the "On Target" signal from Alaska to Mexico - and - from "Sea to shining Sea". I look forward to the day these goals become reality. Let's do it!

God bless you all,
Area 2 Operation On Target