Last night was a typical ministry night for us. We arrived about an hour early for our sound check, like we always do. As usual, there were only a few people at the church preparing for the evening. While we were setting up a woman came into the sanctuary. She had a determined and slightly panicked look on her face. She searched the room and approached me to ask "Where's the pastor!?!" I explained that I was a guest and wasn't even sure that the pastor would be there that evening. I pointed her to the people working in the sound booth, assuring her that they would know more than me. I then overheard as she had an intense conversation with those I had sent her to speak with. She wasn't angry, just intense. She was looking for a man named "Sam" (names have been changed to protect the innocent ;) ) whom she had spoken with a few weeks earlier there at that church. You could tell she had a very important agenda that she was determined to have dealt with tonight. I soon learned what was so important. I overheard her explain that she was "here tonight to turn her life around and give her life to Jesus!" She said she had made big changes this past week and had given up all of the garbage in her life just like "Sam" had advised her to do. She was ready to surrender completely to the Lord!
Fortunately, a man in the sound booth was able to reassure her that "Sam" would be there soon! This seemed to completely change her mood. Her panic disappeared and was replaced with peace and even a bit of joy! Before much longer, "Sam" arrived and I watched as he and this woman talked for the next half an hour. Right before the service began, "Sam" approached Josh and I and asked us to make sure we provided an opportunity at the end of the service for people to come forward, because this woman was READY!
Sure enough, as soon as Josh gave the invitation "Dee" made her way forward. As Josh and I led the congregation in singing "How Great is Our God", she prayed with Sam, tears streaming down her face, and joined our family! Praise the Lord! Welcome to the Family "Dee"! I am blessed to call you sister!
Okay, now onto other less important or exciting stuff! :)
We made it back to my sister's house safe and sound. The past two weeks we were down in the Portland area. We ministered at a couple new churches and a couple churches we have been to in the past. We were also able to connect with some dear friends in the area. I even enjoyed a mom's night out with my girlfriend, which was such a treat!
This time back is our last opportunity for time with my family and with our church family, as well as our last opportunity to work on recording our worship album before our long summer tour! I'm grateful God is allowing us this time, but am definitely overwhelmed by all we have to accomplish in the next two weeks!
Our schedule is tightly packed and intense, but will hopefully allow us to do everything we hope to before leaving town again! We do have two services in Eastern Washington this weekend, but we're just driving over without the trailer for a couple nights. Both of the churches we're at this weekend are new churches! God continues to open doors for us to partner with new churches, which is always so exciting! It is such a gift to be a part of His work in so many different communities!
Okay, that is all for now. But stay tuned...
"A Day in Our Shoes: Part 4" is coming tomorrow!
Wonderful testimony. It is good to see the Lord working through you. We pray for that (and the every day life in your shoes) almost every night.
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