Fuller spreading the gospel
By Staff
Jonathan Willis
The frightening stories told about foreign lands might be enough to keep many Americans from making trips outside of the country.
Descriptions of murder, terrible living conditions and the threat of disease is enough to stop many from traveling abroad.
That is not the case for retired Northwest Community College professor Grady Fuller.
When Fuller joined Gideons International some 20 years agom he felt a calling that has taken him across the world – many times.
"I felt like God was calling me to do missions, so that's what I have been doing," said Fuller, who will turn a spry 86 in October.
He has traveled to India and Haiti this year alone.
Fuller said he heard about the plight most Haitians face, but said conditions were much better than he feared.
"They are making progress there," he said, while pointing out the fact that it is still considered to be the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.
Fuller and a group that included some more local men spent a week in Haiti passing out Bibles in rural villages and spreading the message of Jesus Christ.
But Fuller said the group was able to do more because other organizations, such as the 4-H Club, sent food and other goods.
"You can't get the attention of the hungry and sick unless you do something for them," Fuller said.
"I saw a girl there that reminded me of the story of Job in the Bible because she had sores all over.
"They brought her to us to pray over for her healing."
Fuller said that more than 200 people made public professions of faith throughout the group's time in Haiti, including 184 one evening during a service at a soccer field.
Fuller said there are many tales about the dangerous circumstances of visiting Haiti, but he said the people were receptive to the message.
"It was a great time for me," he said.
One area Fuller said he wishes Americans would improve is giving to help those in need, rather than just talking about helping others.
"There is a lot of talk going on, but there's not a lot of acting on it," he said.
"There are people who take for granted what they have and fail to help others.
"People look for reasons to do nothing, and that breaks my heart."
