God is good.
On Saturday about fifty friends and neighbors, some of whom are done with religion and church, gathered around our son to pray for him and celebrate his birthday together. I enjoyed playing basketball and “horsey” with my little boy. I also was impressed with people’s generosity and concern for the poor. We had asked guests not to bring gifts as our son has plenty of stuff and his grandparents already are getting him bday presents, but we encouraged anyone who is able to bring a dollar to donate to needy families in the neighborhood. Some of these families are no better off than the anticipated recipients of these dollars, yet $90 was raised! Thank you to Tom and Cheryl (missions committee members of my overseeing church) who joined us in this celebration / missions-as-a-way-life event! At this party were families representing at least eleven different webs of relationships, each web a future community of faith (aka church)!
Sunday was a beautiful day when sixteen of us gathered behind our apartment to watch Hector* be baptized and hear him tell us why he is commiting to follow Jesus with all his being. Perhaps one of us will share more about that day later in the week — Hector’s comments about his baptism, the ways he already has been sharing Christ with his family and those around him, Roxy’s response to it all, and the priceless moments we experienced as we celebrated together. But I’m a little tired at present so for now I’m content to simply share this wonderful news and rejoice in what God has done and is doing in Hector’s heart.
God is good!
[*Not their real names. Someday I look forward to sharing their names, with their permission of course!]
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