Texas Couple Follow God's Call to Afghanistan

Doug and Sonnie Beck might agree that it sounds crazy.

Nonetheless, they have traveled four times in 10 years to Afghanistan because they believe God calls them there.

The Becks serve the people in Afghanistan to thank God for the blessings in their lives and to pass those blessings on to the Afghan people, according to the Dallas-Fort Worth Star Telegram, which reported the Beck's story last week.

"Why did God choose me to be born in the United States instead of Afghanistan?" Doug Beck told the newspaper, adding that he feels he has "a responsibility" to help people there.

Doug also told the paper that he and his wife have made their trips even though he has sometimes told God that "we feel you're calling us to do something that's absolutely foolish."

His wife Sonnie told the paper that the couple is looking forward to their next trip to the country because "we really miss the atmosphere, making a difference in people's lives rather than (living) for ourselves."

For more information about the Becks, read the full article, " Man on a mission ".

Catholic Connections

Jean Donovan was a Catholic lay missionary killed by soldiers in El Salvador in 1980. She was 27. She worked with orphans. She was among countless Catholics martyred because the military labeled their work with the poor as "subversive." In her last letter to a friend, she wrote about why she decided to stay in the country despite the threat to her life.

"Several times I have decided to leave El Salvador. I almost could except for the children, the poor bruised victims of this insanity. Who would care for them? Whose heart would be so staunch as to favor the reasonable thing in a sea of their tears and helplessness? Not mine, dear friend, not mine."

For more information on Jean, visit the Religious Task Force website .

Read about how the School of the Americas is connected to El Salvador's military here .

Reflection Questions

Identify someone who inspires you by his or her willingness to take Christian stands that are considered "foolish" or "dangerous" by others.

Join us in our Forum to discuss these questions!