The God of all comfort is full of compassion toward His people in every circumstance of life. This past month one of our Polish preachers went on to be with the Lord. This was a part of the eulogy shared at his memorial service.
Anatol Sacala, a son of the preacher Szymon Sacala, was born on November 17, 1933 in Muratyn. In 1928 Szymon started the Muratyn church. They met first in his house, then in the chapel which they built. Szymon was their minister for 65 years. After that Anatol became the minister for the next 27 years. He was ordained on April 12, 1987. For many years before his ordination he preached and helped his father. Many difficult times were experienced in this small village in east Poland. First from the people, then during World War II and especially after the war great challenges were faced by the church. There was fighting between Poles and Ukrainians. At one time, the whole village was burned down. Some people were killed while some left the village and went to the cities. But the Sacala family remained. God saved them to carry the ministry of preaching the Gospel. In 1963 Anatol married Nina, who was a great helper to Anatol in his ministry. They had four sons, all of them are faithful to the Lord. People in the village, after many years changed their attitude towards the Sacala family and the church. For 30 years Anatol lived with one kidney, but he never complained of it. On January 4th, he came to the kitchen for breakfast. He usually prayed standing but this time he knelt. After the prayer he could not stand up. The Lord called his faithful servant to his heavenly home. Many Christians from neighboring churches and many people from the village came to his funeral. It was a good opportunity to preach the gospel message. The people liked Anatol. May the Gospel which Anatol preached bring fruit in the lives of his neighbors in the years to come.
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