Low Gear; High Rev
Just a little update to let you know we’re still out here. It has been an overwhelming month. Some of our strongest leaders have had to move back to the States. As strong leadership moves out and the ministry has grown more complex, this creates a vacuum effect and much of the work-load has fallen to our shoulders. This happens every-so-often, but this time has probably been the most gruelling occasion. Sadly, very few have stepped-up (or are even ready to) to help in crucial areas. In these times, the pastor and his wife stand in the gap and bear the load as “part of the work” — but even fewer people can comprehend the toll this extracts from the leadership. The cost is high but unpayable by the fainthearted.
One of our most seering burdens is the care of one of our dear sisters. Victoria is a mother of three and a wife to a husband fighting for the Army in Iraq. Victoria has been receiving mixed test results of whether she has the first stages of bone cancer. Some think she does; others think she doesn’t. She needs to get some other opinions. I don’t blame the docs, because things like this are tough calls - especially if its initial stages. Their bedside manner could use some seasoning though. In any case, the Source of help and healing is Who we’re going to. He’s the Great Doctor. And this is a test; an exam of spiritual health for a local Bride. This trial is a malignant case of intercession.
Brighter has been a special young man named Jeremy who I’ve had a number of opportunities to work with. Jeremy’s a fine airman, a good future husband, and an all-around nice guy. Jeremy has heard the Good News for the first time this last week. We’ve spent a number of hours together and I’m praying that I might be able to report good news myself about a new brother bound for Heaven in the coming days.
So many more notes to share but a little fun one is that we finally received our first order of chairs for our new worship center. This order contained seventy comfortable, stylish chairs manufactured just down the road from us in the Italian chair capital of the world - Manzano. We’re still saving up for fifty more. Each chair runs $89 which includes exchange rate, taxes (20%), and shipping. So, if you’re reading this and you’d like to help out — we’ll put you down for the rest and send you an honorary trophy 
. No really, we have no shame in letting others help out.
Back in a few days.
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I have been reading through Paul’s letters the past few weeks and am struck by how he had sent some of his most beloved companions, Timothy, Titus, Apollos, Prisca and Aquila to perform works of ministry in places where churches had begun. I wonder if Paul, when surveying the landscape in who was left with him after being abandoned by some and sending out his workers (”Only Luke is with me” — 2 Tim 4:11)was discouraged a bit with having to start over. But after Paul’s small diatribe of discouragement he says “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me…”(2 Tim 4:17). Can you imagine, the Lord God omnipentent, maker of heaven and earth, the Alpha and the Omega, the great “I am” stood with Paul. What grace, what love…The Lord is with you too Rob and many of the saints that have been blessed and trained by Serinissima are praying for you.
Mike
Comment by Mike Dredla — 1/23/2006 @ 9:01 am
Is this Mike from Air Force and Hulburt days?
Comment by David Knode — 1/16/2007 @ 5:12 am