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From the Voice of the Martyrs Extreme devotion, extreme compassion Colombia Sarah Gomez Day 234 when he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them. Matthew 9:36 at age 14, Sara Gomez left a painful home life to join a violent guerrilla group in Colombia's red zones, areas controlled by militant groups. Rather than the government tending wounds as the local guerrilla group's medic, she soon discovered that the group persecuted Christians. Though she was not a follower of Christ, she felt compassion toward those caught between the guerrilla and paramilitary groups battling for control in Colombia's red zones. She saw guerrillas run Christian families out of their homes and heard that fellow soldiers had killed pastors. When fellow guerrillas discovered that Sarah had Christian family members, they urged her to denounce her family and the Christian faith. Instead, Sarah left the group and placed her trust in Christ. She immediately felt compelled to serve the Lord. I wanted to do so many things for him after I came to know him, she said. Sarah became a bold witness for Christ alongside her husband and their children. And because God saved her from a violent life as a guerrilla fighter, she felt especially compelled to share God's word with them. Her gospel efforts have not been well received by the Gorilla group, however, and she and her family have had to flee after receiving repeated threats from the group. Despite the dangers, Sarah passionately shares the gospel wherever she goes. If you aren't doing anything for God, you aren't doing anything, she said. Sarah intentionally reaches out to young people seeking a purpose, sharing the hope and love she found in Christ. Sarah's compassion led her to faith in Christ and motivated her to share the gospel with others. Compassion is an appropriate response to others suffering, but it is not enough by itself. Just as it did with Sarah compassion, she should compel us to obey Christ and His great commission no matter the cost. Do you have compassion for those around you who need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ? Have you responded in obedience by boldly sharing your faith? Be inspired every month to pray for persecuted Christians when you subscribe to the Voice of the Martyrs Free award winning magazine, just go to persecution.com and click on the Free Magazine button at the top of the page. SA.