One of the most exciting...
Illustration
One of the most exciting experiences we have had in recent years was sharing in a month of mission when a pastor from the Soviet Union came to live and work within our congregation. He brought with him the story of a church which had lived under the shadow of a harsh and repressive government for 70 years. At a time when we were wondering where we would find the money to build a new and much-needed addition to the church, he came with stories of a church which had stubbornly clung to life in an environment so hostile we could hardly comprehend it.
As we listened to him, our needs and our problems came to appear far less than they had seemed. He came to us with nothing, for he had been able to bring nothing out of the country. He came to us from a church needing such basics as Bibles, and paper and books for the children. He said, "I can't bring you anything but my prayers, but I will pray for you and your people, that you come to understand how wonderful is the freedom you have." In his prayers, this stranger helped us put our priorities in order. Problems that had seemed insurmountable, were suddenly cut down to size.
Through the mediating power of his prayers we were filled with gratitude for what God had done, and ready to face the challenges God had in store for us.
--Curley
As we listened to him, our needs and our problems came to appear far less than they had seemed. He came to us with nothing, for he had been able to bring nothing out of the country. He came to us from a church needing such basics as Bibles, and paper and books for the children. He said, "I can't bring you anything but my prayers, but I will pray for you and your people, that you come to understand how wonderful is the freedom you have." In his prayers, this stranger helped us put our priorities in order. Problems that had seemed insurmountable, were suddenly cut down to size.
Through the mediating power of his prayers we were filled with gratitude for what God had done, and ready to face the challenges God had in store for us.
--Curley
