Fatherland
We are now into June and so much has been happening that it is hard to get a hold of it all. So what has been happening?
I will tell you few of the real exciting things for me.....if that is ok!
At the end of April before going to leave people of to the airport in Manaus I was in a local shop here in Maues. I have the privilege of standing out like a sore thumb being determinedly pink in complexion. Most people who know me a little know that I am Irish but to the general population in Maues I am 'The German’.
Rebeca and I were talking to a local shop own, Rebeca has known him for over 20 years and on the way out the door I invited him to come along to church. Just that, will you come along to church, it is at 7.30pm and we’ll sit beside you and make you feel most welcome. I mean there is nothing worse than arriving at a church and standing like a wilted tree at the back, wondering why you walked through the doors in the first place.
I had to travel to Manaus and on arriving back; you will never guess who went to church, yes! The shopkeeper.... The shopkeeper has come along to church for the last few months and also started coming along to Rebeca’s cell group. Two Sundays ago he raised his hands as tears streamed down his face as he gave his life to Jesus Christ. He said after, that if no appeal was given he was going to go to the front and give his life because he couldn’t wait any longer.
This week, I spent some time listening and getting to know the ‘shopkeeper’, he is 55 years old and been backslidden for over 30 years. No one knew, no one stopped long enough to get to the heart of the matter. Yes, there is a godly timing...........but I came away challenged....how many times have I been in this man’s shop, how many times have I missed another person’s yearning to return but with no way back..........have I been judging even without realising it......... I think so, I know so...........no excuses.
God has given us a ministry of reconciliation, that is all of His children, a ministry to bring man into ‘peace, relationship, intimacy’ with Him.
I will tell you few of the real exciting things for me.....if that is ok!
At the end of April before going to leave people of to the airport in Manaus I was in a local shop here in Maues. I have the privilege of standing out like a sore thumb being determinedly pink in complexion. Most people who know me a little know that I am Irish but to the general population in Maues I am 'The German’.
Rebeca and I were talking to a local shop own, Rebeca has known him for over 20 years and on the way out the door I invited him to come along to church. Just that, will you come along to church, it is at 7.30pm and we’ll sit beside you and make you feel most welcome. I mean there is nothing worse than arriving at a church and standing like a wilted tree at the back, wondering why you walked through the doors in the first place.
I had to travel to Manaus and on arriving back; you will never guess who went to church, yes! The shopkeeper.... The shopkeeper has come along to church for the last few months and also started coming along to Rebeca’s cell group. Two Sundays ago he raised his hands as tears streamed down his face as he gave his life to Jesus Christ. He said after, that if no appeal was given he was going to go to the front and give his life because he couldn’t wait any longer.
This week, I spent some time listening and getting to know the ‘shopkeeper’, he is 55 years old and been backslidden for over 30 years. No one knew, no one stopped long enough to get to the heart of the matter. Yes, there is a godly timing...........but I came away challenged....how many times have I been in this man’s shop, how many times have I missed another person’s yearning to return but with no way back..........have I been judging even without realising it......... I think so, I know so...........no excuses.
God has given us a ministry of reconciliation, that is all of His children, a ministry to bring man into ‘peace, relationship, intimacy’ with Him.
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