Drupal

I should never be surprised when God does this because He does it all the time. I sat here in this beautiful setting with sadness yesterday because I sensed a lack of urgency for spiritual renewal and perceived a group of people who were in despair but thought they were experiencing paradise. The unbelievably blue water, the swaying palms, the white sand, and the protective reef with every color of fish you can imagine seemed to mask the unattractiveness of human hearts attempting to quench their thirst with the salt water. As I wrote yesterday, I started the day with my questions for God, “Is there anyone urgent about the need for joy here on the island – a joy that can’t be taken by a tropical storm or hurricane?”  “How can we start people on a path to Jesus?”  “Does anyone see the lostness and loneliness of the ones who wash the dishes and clean the rooms and prostitute themselves to eat?” WOW – God answered our prayer. We had several conversations with people on the island yesterday, including pastors. We learned about what was happening here and what was needed. We became friends with Jesus followers who share our passion for seeing people think, love, serve, and live like Jesus. The highlight was our time with Pastor Marvin. He is a pastor who came to San Pedro from Guatemala 15 years ago. He met his wife here and then met Jesus. He fell in love with both of them - gave his life to Jesus and his pledge to his wife. He started a church 12 years ago with just his family. Today, they have 175 members and 50 children. They have a little building in a poor part of the island. We sat with him and a young business leader who came to Jesus a year ago and they told us all about their discipleship process and their small groups. They are focused on teaching believers to follow Jesus closely and to reach lost people. One could say they intentionally reach lost people and move them to full life in Jesus so that they can reach lost people and move them to full life in Jesus. I was and am so thankful – God revealed to us a church with passion. Pray for our meetings this afternoon. We gather with the owner of a local Christian radio station with a heart broken for this island and who so wants to see God’s Kingdom come here. He is influential and a capable leader. Also pray for a meeting we have at 3 pm (5 pm at home). This one is really cool. We had no plans to do this one. It was set up for us by a local businesswoman whose daughter is at the camp Ridge Pointers are helping with right now. Although this gal does not attend a church and would not call herself a Jesus Follower, she sends her daughter to camp and used her influence to assemble business leaders and town council members to meet with us and talk about the way to best bring positive change in the lives of the island’s youth. How cool is that?!?!? We head out to camp (a 10 mile boat ride) for dinner and an evening of worship and teaching and we will be home tomorrow night! Wow – I just love being a follower of Jesus and being involved in the adventure of revealing God’s love and grace that is here because of Jesus. I love following the Spirit as He moves – having a plan from Him and then flowing with His leadership every second. I love being God’s kid! I want everyone to know what a joy it is. Help me tell everyone! Love you all, Jim