Acts 20:24 But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
On August 23, 1940 Dr. Robert Grieve and his wife Claire were killed by 2 Italian bombers in Doro, South Sudan. Their teammates, Kenneth and Blanche Oglesby, were injured. Zilla Walsh was not hurt. These men and women served as SIM Missionaries among the Maban tribe and worked at a mission clinic. The bodies of the Grieve couple were buried in Doro. Blanche Oglesby died within a year and her remains were brought to Doro and buried there. Kenneth Oglesby carried on the ministry started by this first team to the Maban people.
As Kenneth returned to bury his wife's remains and continue his ministry, he quoted Acts 20:24. His desire was to finish the course and the ministry which he received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
We have unknowingly stepped into a place steeped with rich history. I have just learned the details of this story over the past few days and today we went to the grave sites of these missionary heroes to clean around them and to remember their sacrifice.
Also buried in this small cemetery is the body of Dr. David Masters. He passed away in April, 2008 while serving as a missionary doctor with SIM in Doro.
SIM Missionaries and Maban children around the grave site of Dr. and Mrs. Grieve
It takes a deeply committed person to utter the words of Paul from Acts 20:24 and we are humbled to be serving in Doro with such wonderful people. We have enjoyed worshiping with the Maban churches here, testimony and fruit of the labor of the Grieves, Oglesbys, Zilla Walsh, Dr. Masters and his wife and so many more.
We also want to testify with our lives of the good news of the grace of God.
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