In the afternoon, most of the group went to a new village called PrimeraZona with supplies. A few of us, while they did that, got to go back to Los Palmas in order to investigate this new church(building).
We went to the house of the leader named Anderson. The house was full! At first, we thought it should be a private conversation, but Anderson brought up the building immediately. This was where Robert was planning to do the most, until he saw the church building.
They were very defensive to start with. The believed, because we did not return after the first day(while that was our plan all along), that we were mad about the church. They were angry, but not at us. The group that built this church claimed to know Robert and others from the November trip. They lied! The people were so anxious to serve God that the devil(that jerk) pulled the old "bait and switch". These people built the building and came back only once to dedicate it. They baptized all the people, called Anderson the pastor, and left!!!! That's one style of church planting (I guess).
We assured them that there was no animosity between us and fellowship/friendship was restored. It is truly amazing how spiritual fellowship is apparent no matter the language or the culture.
As Robert explained that we didn't want to cause friction between them and the other group and that we would use the school for services, Anderson's wife was "chompin' at the bit". She said, "When you left in November, I prayed for God to supply us a house and He did. That is the House of God. It doesn't belong to them or us. Let's use it". She's in fire for God.
She also said something that made it all worthwhile. She told Robert, "You were the one who loved us enough to come and give us the gospel. You were the one who loved us enough to come back. We are with you".
A big thank you to Robert for letting me report at dinner. After all this, I was ready to pop!
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment