THE ACCORDION

     The missionary was leaving, and a number of friends had come to say goodbye.   They slipped in quietly, not through the big gate but through the side gate from the church compound, for it was no longer safe to let it be known publicly that they were friends of the foreigner.

     The missionary was giving away the few valuables that had to be left behind.   To his house boy he gave his older bicycle, and to his language teacher he gave his newest bicycle.   The teacher had recently lost his own bicycle when the Red Spears had raided his village, and now he had walked all the way to the city, some 60 li of road.

     Liu Ch'wan Fa had come all the way from Shankow to tell his foreign friend goodbye.   He had not come to receive anything.   He was a proud, independent young man, a maker of kuoping, the hard, round cakes of bread that were sold in the market places.   Ch'wan Fa was also proud of his Savior, Jesus Christ.   Ever since he was saved, his greatest joy had been to help the missionaries and evangelists in their tent evangelistic meetings as much as he could, and there he was always appreciated as a song leader.   He knew every song and chorus by heart, and unlike so many others his ear for music was excellent; so with a full, clear voice he sang the hymns in perfect tune.

     This missionary had used an accordion in tent meetings, and Ch'wan Fa had quickly learned to play it, even better than the missionary did.   He loved it.    Such an instrument was almost unheard of in his country.   But he was not thinking of the accordion now.   He was remembering the times he and the missionary had sped along together on their bicycles, across the fields and along the paths as they returned from services in towns around about where he lived.   He was thinking of his brother in Christ, come from a far country, who must leave.   Would they ever meet again?

     The missionary came to say goodbye.   He said, "I have something here for you, Ch'wan Fa."   He brought out the accordion and handed it to him saying, "I know you can make better use of this for the Lord than anyone else.

     Ch'wan Fa's face shone with joy, and he bowed deeply as he accepted the gift.   "Many thanks! Many thanks!"

     Liu Ch'wan Fa was home in his village.   Others gathered around as he played the accordion, singing the song he loved so well.   "I have one best Friend.    Truly He's a man of grace.   He is kinder than father and mother, His love can't be measured or its depths ever found."   "Very best Friend, very best Friend; there's never been anything like His love for me....."   "Among our friends where's one can save us, lay down his life and ransom for sin?   My Savior sacrificed His heavenly throne, both glory and reputation He willingly lay down."   "Very best Friend, very best Friend; there's never been anything like His love for me."   So sang Ch'wan Fa.

     "Who is this very best Friend?" some of them would ask, and Ch'wan Fa would joyfully tell them of Jesus and His love, who suffered and died for love of sinners, who conquered death and the devil so we that trust in Him might never fear either.   In this village both death and the devil were very much feared, and what a joy it was to see others set free, when they trusted in Jesus, the very best Friend.

     One day Liu Ch'wan Fa had been far away in Laiwu to a market to sell his kuoping.   Returning in the evening he was passing through a village on the way, when at one house he stopped his bicycle and listened.   Was that not someone trying to sing one of the songs he knew so well?   Inside the open door he heard them start the tune again, sing a little way, then get off the tune and stop.   He could not resist stepping inside.   "Excuse me," he said, "But I heard you singing, 'Heaven is my Home.'   You must be Christians.    I also am a Christian on my way home from the market."

     The little handful of people joyfully received him, and they were even happy when he said he knew the song they were vainly trying to sing.   All together they joined in as he led them with his strong, clear voice.

     "Heaven is my home, my homeland.   This world is not worth worrying about.   Heaven is my home, my homeland.   This world is not worth worrying about.   I need not worship idols at the temple, burn incense and katow, trying to keep the law of the gods.   People may ridicule me, but I do not fear, for heaven is my home, my homeland.    This world is not worth worrying about."

     Ch'wan Fa also gave his testimony to the little group before going on.   They all wanted him to come again, so he promised he would be there a week later.    This time he brought his accordion with him, and that evening as the music sounded out in the village others began to crowd in until the house could not hold them all.   Services had to be moved out to the threshing floor on the street.   Children squatted or set on the ground.   Older folk brought low stools or benches from home.   They thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful music and listened carefully as Ch'wan Fa told them of the Happy Sound, (Gospel) the story of Jesus and His love.   We are all going astray like sheep, and the True God, in wonderful love gave His only Son to suffer for our sins, that He died for us and rose again, that He now gives eternal life to all who come to Him.

     Hearts were moved, and many in that village trusted in this Jesus as their Savior.   So the kuoping maker had also become the preacher of the gospel, and the accordion was greatly used of God.

Rodney Frey

Rodney Frey
Misssionary to Argentina
October 12, 2009
Dear Prayer Partners,

     So much to do and so little time to do it in.   In an attempt to squeeze more time out of a week,   I’m traveling to cities both in Chile and Argentina for part of the week, and being home for Bible studies and visits, and then preaching on the weekends.   God is good and has protected us as we travel, crossing borders, mountains, and deserts.   Also, through it all I have been able to preach to more people both here and in the cities giving tracts and witnessing all along the way.

     The first and most exciting news is the Bibles.   I have received Bilingual English King James/Spanish Reina Valera Gomez Bibles for Cheri and me.   It sure makes it nice to be able to look across the page and recapture the thought that at time escapes me when speaking in Spanish.   Also, I have received what I believe to be enough Spanish Bibles for my people for now.   I have also been able to help a few other churches with Bibles.   How precious it is to have the Word of God.

     Next, I have begun studying Mapudungun thanks to Pastor Heinz across the border in Chile.   Pastor Heinz and I are studying in Nueva Imperial, Chile outside of Temuco, the center of studies for all things Mapuche.   Our teacher also has a desire for getting the Bible to his people and has even been used to do some of the recording in Mapudungun in the Audio Bibles. He knows his language.   There is much to do in the language as there is not an accurate complete Bible to date.   Due to a political push and population growth the number of people speaking Mapudungun continues to grow every day

     I am now; reading the book of John in Mapudungun to practice sounding out words and to slowly begin to understand this language, reading a bit of Mapudungun aloud in the homes along with the Bible preaching and teaching I normally do in Spanish, teaching men to prepare them for the time I will be gone and that they be men of God.   Praise the Lord for the opportunity to do His will.

     It sure is nice to have a working vehicle again even though it is 11 years old.   We have most everything fixed like almost new, but there are always problems.   How beautiful are the tires… but not flat tires, three Sunday mornings in a row.

     With the help of Pastor and Mrs. Martinez, we have started to push for the doctors to solve why Cheri’s wound has not healed after so many months.   Our public hospital, the only one we have in our town, has closed repeatedly due to strikes by staff because of not getting what they need to work.   This cancels all appointments which must then be rescheduled.    Therefore, I took Cheri to the city of Neuquén to see a doctor privately.   With the private and public doctors they have identified a thread about three inches long under her skin causing a constant infection that has been draining though the opening in her skin.   Now we have to wait for the surgeon to take it out.   Please pray we can do this soon.

     We are scheduled to be in the USA November 10th and now will stay through February 10th but not a day longer due to ticket restrictions.   I had asked for prayer and help in the last letter and of course the Lord provided.   Several had offered to come but in the end a family from our town here is going to help us with the house.   The churches of Pastors Martinez and Heinz will be helping by coming to preach to my people as they can.   Thank all of you for your offers to help, and prayers.

     I am still working on a schedule to visit some of you, but travel dates have changed twice due to our airline ticket requirements.   Please pray for the right schedule; to be a blessing to churches and one that strengthens us for the work here.    Also, be in prayer as we look at the ability to study linguistics next year.   I do not want to be away from my people any more than any other pastor or preacher, but I have a need that I cannot fill without more study.   Please Pray.

Onward and forward,
Rodney and Cheri

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