The church was packed Sunday night. We are leaving at 4 a.m., in just a few hours. After we called the leaders forward and prayed for them and blessed them, Ivanildo and Monica called us forward and prayed for us. Then they gave an open mic. The service ran an hour overtime and there was no time for preaching. People kept on coming up, and crying and talking. As we looked out over the motley crowd of people unaccustomed to coming to church, we could see adults and children openly weeping. We have never experienced a service like this before.
It was especially emotional for our two oldest daughters, who don’t know when they will be coming back or what they will be getting into in the foreign land of Canada. It is emotional for all of us as we think of our family ministry team breaking up. And it is difficult to think of leaving. This has been a great 2 3/4 years in Maraba and God put a great love in our hearts for these people. For all this, we see God’s hand in allowing this church some time without us missionaries, to grow under Ivanildo and Monica’s leadership.
Over the past few weeks I have come to a better understanding of how Jesus was very good friends with the drunks, prostitutes and those type of people. Somehow God has given me favor. Several were at church this last Sunday night, and some came forward to bless us. “My life is not worth living. But now I am here. This is my second time. I am really liking this.” Several of the testimonies had to do with me being like a father, often to people I have hardly talked to. This seems to be a huge hurting place in many people’s lives.
We left our house at 4 a.m. because of the serious threat that MST protestors were going to close the highway again. We saw them milling around on the side of the highway and were glad to get safely over the bridge. About 30 hours later we arrived to a warm reception in Toronto.
May God continue to bless Ivanildo and Monica, Aline and Chelsea, and the growing church in Marabá. Please pray for them when you think of them.
wow!! mom