Mission Field

be ready always to give an answer, to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you
(1 Peter 3:15)

Once again, all your prayers for my father in law, JR, who had a major stroke last week, are very much appreciated. He was left paralyzed on his left side, but is getting more and more movement every day. Every single one is making a difference. Let me prove that by telling you about today. The Providence of Our Awesome God is truly wonderful.

1) We have been telling you about his witnessing there in the rehab hospital, and Monday he spoke to a woman who had never heard of being saved. JR used the little Gideon New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs to show this woman her sin and her Savior. Well, today that same woman, Laurie, said she believed that Jesus rose from the dead and that she wanted Christ to save her and be her Lord! Hallelujah!

2) As I arrived today for an unannounced visit, I was coming to the front and lo and behold, my mother in law Marge was just leaving. She looked so thrilled to see me, and I asked her if she was leaving for home. She said no, she was going to go buy JR a robe, and so I tagged her hand and said, “my turn, tag, I’m it”. His wife, two of his daughters, his friends at the church, and his pastor have all been keeping him company, and he said he knows and appreciates all the prayers. I have told him several times about all our friends all over the world in the blogosphere who are praying. It is so good to know of people with like, precious faith.

3) JR has been talking to several of the staff and patients about Jesus, but he could not give any of them, including Laurie, a Bible, because the only one he had with him was that little Gideon NT. He likes that one because in his condition it is easier to use, and it has a “plan of salvation” in the back. Well, I remembered as he told me this that last week I had been cleaning out the closets at the church, and we had several brand new, never used Bibles exactly like this one he had, same size, same color and all! I told him I would go by the church on the way home, and he would have them tomorrow. God is so good.

JR, since he retired, and since he pretty much stays around Christians only, has not been able to witness like he used to on the job sites (he was/is a Master electrician). He said to me today (and had done so Monday as well) that God had him here to answer his prayer for a mission field, a chance for more fruit at this stage in his life. He had a purpose, and what can I say about that but to God be all the glory…