Bluffton Apostolic

In our last post, I mentioned the team we hosted from Bluffton, Indiana. The team was comprised of graduating seniors and some of their parents. This definitely sent us on a flashback to the spring of 1997. Separately, our churches took their senior Sunday school classes to Jamaica. While not knowing it at the time, that experience was the start of a developing worldview that influenced many decisions that the Lord used in our calling back to Jamaica. On Saturday morning before the team was to fly out, they met for devotions and each person reviewed their week. Similar to our experience 12 years ago, we saw hearts touched and softened by the experience. Also similarly, we heard parents urging their children to live out the high calling of the Christian life. We were moved by the parents expressions of love, passion, and yearning for their children. At the same time, we heard the kids express gratitude and thanksgiving for their parents in recognition of the fact that they have been given something that most of the world does not experience. So, we found ourselves in the middle of these expressions. It felt not long ago that we were in those seats with hearts softened and recognizing the extent of our blessing for the first time. And, it feels not too far away that we will be readying ourselves to send off our children into life with a love, passion, and yearning that they may choose the high calling of serving Lord Jesus. It was an amazing experience and left us with our hearts swelled with love, respect, and thanksgiving. We rejoice at an amazing week of fellowship. While we hurt more and long more for the fellowship that we once experienced and tasted again this week, we also realize that it is for this time that we are to learn these things and serve Him here. So, we pray for grace that He may receive glory through these experiences and understandings that He blessed us with so that we can use them to bless others. Amen