It’s been a huge blessing to be around a group of christians constantly, even tho at times it has “been hard” it has been amazing. GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!!!!
We took a short planned vacation according to the structure of our trip, called “debrief”.
When we actually got to the vacation place… thats what it actually was a “vacation area”. What I mean to say is I have been in east Africa for so long that white people have not only become a rare thing for our group, but most of our group has become quite awkward around “other white people”.
We show up at this resort place and there are alot of white people vacationing and what is hard about that is we have been living and interacting with not only other believers but around others who know we are believers in a very small community. To now be around white people who are running around in their “bathing suits” and drinking at the bar, for many of us upon arriving all looked at each other with the same thought on our heads. Oh no this is not going to be a vacation but a time of testing, walking into the situation it seemed as if God would put us through this as a time of testing to show us what going home will sort of look like and to see where we are at in our past struggles through this short protected time on our “vacation”.
I was suprised in my personal reaction because it wasn’t even what i thought, I made many quick friends that i was then able to minister to, i prayed with several kids my age some believers some don’t know anything about God and are from Europe the americas and germany (talk about preaching to the nations he didn’t even have to send me out the nations came to me haha).
Even though there are people flat out drunk they are still very receptive to God. I talked to a man named Timothy who told me that he used to be a Christian but now he hates God, and further in the conversation (after shaking off his attemts to make me angry and see if i would be like any other person and run away and when i didn’t he looked suprised then kept going deeper) he was telling me that his mother used to drink and hit him and he never wanted to be like her and after growing up and having “god let him down” as he put it, now he finds himself here drinking. So I asked him what makes him any different then his mom and he said he didn’t have kids, therefore he wasn’t hurting anybody. I prayed with him at his request of don’t touch him and don’t close my eyes as I pray and that made him more comfortable. In conclusion he hated his mom because she drank, now he drinks and hates himself… but he’s not hurting anyone. After that night I didn’t pray with him again, but we had many friendly conversations. He had a friend and even though he was drunk morning day and night there I was still his friend and he is still a good man.
I was impressed with how far I have come even this far in my trip to find that I can be around these so called “temtations” and not only not be phased by them but press in and minister to every single person there very boldy in the same way I think of the disciples as doing after the spirit falls in acts.
God is Good and we must let people know every day wherever we go whether by our actions or by GODS words to those people, not just strangers but especially the people that we already know
Debriefing, detoxification, readjustment re-entry time is good John. I recall your cousin Cameron crying almost every year upon his return home from 4 weeks at Camp Deer Run and saying he just regreted having to return “to The WORLD”.
I am grateful for your Willing Servant Heart, and pleased for you in the experiences you have shared with us on your site; now I am looking forward to personal visiting when you get home. I love you John.
Poppa
John, Thank you for sharing all of your thoughts. I enjoy reading and following your blog. Hope to see you when you come home for a visit.
Love you,
Aunt Shela
John
As I was reading this I kept thinking “the scenery there sounds a lot like Houston!” Seeing people at pools in the bathing suits. Elsewhere in skimpy clothing, if you can even call some of it clothing.
You’ve grown up around “sober” alcoholics, for the most part. We were never in a bar situation or a drinking party, not with me anyway!
A wet drunk is a different story. It sounds like you have made a difference in Timothy’s life. He’s not going to forget you. He’s not going to completely forget all that you talked about.
As we say in AA, the seed has been PLANTED. We just may not be around to see it come to fruition!
Another thing that we say in AA…When we “carry the message” to another Alcoholic, and they chose NOT to get sober, it is a successful 12 step call if YOU stayed sober!
“We carry the message to alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs”
“You carry God’s Word to others and practice Gods principles in all your affairs”
THAT’S A CHRISTIAN!!
It is so awesome to see God work in your life.
It’s also awesome that YOU can see God working in your life!
I LOVE YOU, Mom
John, we are so grateful for your serving the Lord in the way that you are. I can wait for you to visit Dallas and meet Randall my oldest son, he is wanting to AIM and go to Africa when he gradutes in 2012. Yes it’s a few years away however this has been on his heart for a while as it seems your wanting to serve was as well. I enjoy reading your blogs, and please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers daily. Shela and I live about a half mile apart so I am sure there will be a place for you to stay.
I know that God will bless you richly for your servant heart.
In him
Aunt Kathryn
John, thank you so much for the response. I know that your mom is so proud of you, and that you have been a blessing to your family. I have asked that our church family here in Allen keep you and your team in prayer. Know you are lifted up by many.