Lunched today with several brothers who minister in restricted nations. Enjoyed good food, fellowship & encouragement from their testimonies of what God is doing in countries that most American Christians would think of as dangerous and closed to the gospel. These brothers' joy and peace exuded from their speech and faces. Again i'm struck by the receptivity of indigenous peoples who have not become jaded by the alleged pleasures of this world.
Last night several brothers and i received hospitality from Steve and Sandra. This gift involves not just a willingness to open your home but also your heart to people you may know slightly or not at all. We discussed questions relating to the gift of Bible teaching and its place in the ekklesia. Am thankful for these precious saints who labor so diligently in the kingdom.
Earlier on the Lord's Day I had the privilege of visiting another home gathering at Rusty & Julie's home. Participated in sweet worship & availed myself of the opportunity to share what God is doing with me via itinerant ministry using the example of Tychicus, the mailman. (He probably took the letters we know as Ephesians, Colossians & Philemon from Paul in prison in Rome to their recipients.) We had an opportunity to pray and counsel together after wards.
Prior to that had fellowship with the "morning group." Good participation with our brother Ed speaking about the gifts enumerated in Romans 12, myself on the theme of persecution, and a brother named Pete on the reality that persecution often arises from within the church, e.g. Acts 20:30.
Saturday afternoon went over to Steve & Tricia's house and prayed with Steve while Tricia was out getting groceries. It turned out that the entire "night group" was gathering that evening next door for fellowship and a barbeque. Enjoyed the rare treat of inter gender conversation with a small group for a time & later had the chance to speak to the whole group on the theme of persecution.
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