God is Good...
Yesterday we left our new friends in Beni. We told them we had much saddness over the fact that we were going, but we had greater joy because we had such good friends.
On Sunday I (Ross) preached at a church that was packed outside the door and windows. There were 4-500 people in attendance (normal) and this was the 'French'service. They had already had the English and Swahili service. It was a joy to worship with them.
In the afternoon we had the closing ceremonies including testimonies. One in particular stands out for me.
I had preached through the week on the Good Father who goes after his two lost sons. I had suggested that the traumatized were much like the lost and that we needed to be like the Good Father who saw his son while he was still a long way off and ran to him to embrace him.
One of the pastors got up and gave this testimony: Before be was a Christian he had a child with another woman. He never met this child - a daughter. As a pastor he was ashamed of this. During our conference he arranged to meet his daughter and when he went to her he got down on his knees and asked forgiveness of her for not being a father to her. Such an act of humility in this African culture is amazing. I said in my heart, "Your daughter was lost! But now she has been found again!"
Today we are leaving Nairobi for a couple of days of Safari (vacation). You can pray for our refreshing. We feel a bit of emptiness at having given so much for so many days. At the same time we have a sense of joy at the many ways we could see God working. We trust He is working in ways we did not even see.
Thanks for your love and prayers everyone. We probably won't get another entry on the blog until Friday or so.
With Love, Ross
P.S......Äll the time!
On Sunday I (Ross) preached at a church that was packed outside the door and windows. There were 4-500 people in attendance (normal) and this was the 'French'service. They had already had the English and Swahili service. It was a joy to worship with them.
In the afternoon we had the closing ceremonies including testimonies. One in particular stands out for me.
I had preached through the week on the Good Father who goes after his two lost sons. I had suggested that the traumatized were much like the lost and that we needed to be like the Good Father who saw his son while he was still a long way off and ran to him to embrace him.
One of the pastors got up and gave this testimony: Before be was a Christian he had a child with another woman. He never met this child - a daughter. As a pastor he was ashamed of this. During our conference he arranged to meet his daughter and when he went to her he got down on his knees and asked forgiveness of her for not being a father to her. Such an act of humility in this African culture is amazing. I said in my heart, "Your daughter was lost! But now she has been found again!"
Today we are leaving Nairobi for a couple of days of Safari (vacation). You can pray for our refreshing. We feel a bit of emptiness at having given so much for so many days. At the same time we have a sense of joy at the many ways we could see God working. We trust He is working in ways we did not even see.
Thanks for your love and prayers everyone. We probably won't get another entry on the blog until Friday or so.
With Love, Ross
P.S......Äll the time!
posted by Congo Team at 11:25 PM
5 Comments:
Continue as you trust and are let by God's spirit. Teach the word as God gives you wisdom and sensitivity to His leading for the people in south Africa.
Ross, Dawn, Michele & Brenda this experience will no doubt have a major impact in your faith and in your life both a crisis and encouraging. Our prayer is you will be obedient to God's spirit in everything.
God Bless as we pray for you.
Ralph & Gloria
Hey guys,
bring me back a lion or elephant that you shot k?
God bless
Blessings to you as you travel home. FYI, it's being announced in the international press that Joseph Kabila has won the election with 60% of the vote. I had a chance to meet Drs. Phillip and Nancy Wood at Ian and Kathy McLellan's place in Kitchener a few years ago (the Ben's may know the McLellans from WMB). The Woods are quite an incredible couple and very committed to the medical work in the Congo. My prayers continue to be with you. Doug
Friends:
It was good to read that you folks went and were blessed and were a blessing there in Beni. The Spirit of God works throughout the world. I look forward to connecting after your return.
...Dave Klassen
Ali would like an elephant and Jordan would like a zebra...hope you picked up extras on your safari! Graeme has no comment because he is at hockey practice...probably hard to imagine ice and snow where you are now. We have been praying for you and thinking of you lots.
Love Ric, JoAnne, Ali, Graeme & Jordan
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