​Hey fam! 

The 8/16 blog was on Christ’s bride, the Church…..(& as to evangelism, His “midwife”, of sorts….Oooook...not actually in the Bible....but neither are many centuries old denominational doctrines. Humor me.) Keeping w/the familial relationships theme.....Families teach us how to function in community but are more importantly a springboard for the diff ways we relate to God & in the household of faith. (Gal. 6:10 KJV)  Jesus is Bridegroom (Rev. 21:2) yet our Brother. (Heb. 2:11-12) We’re also God’s children. (1 John 3:2) And God is the eternal “proto-community” in the context of His Trinity. AND! We’re plugged into that eternal proto-community through Jesus! So, spiritual relationships are more binding than blood. (Matt. 12:46-50) So, although “R”, whom I often mention, isn’t my bio bro, he IS my spiritual bro. Also, my son in the faith. (1 Tim 1:2) BTW, it’s time I gave “R” a pseudonym. He’s Ron from now on. 

For safety, I’m vague…But b/c of what’s been coming out of Ron’s big mouth of late, more can be shared about his faith journey & influence. He’s carrying on like an excited little kid. Some quick snapshots from his “growing up years”:

• 3 other stateside believers had engaged him before I met him at the gym in 2019. One had providentially been a Gospel worker in his homeland & speaks his language. God often uses unconnected people! (John 4:35-38, 1 Cor. 3:6-8)
• After breaking the ice, I offered to teach him English 4–5x. As there were many other men from his country whom I know & could’ve helped, it’s now obvious. The Spirit was prompting me to be a persistent widow. (Luke 18:1–8…Another familial term. But I’m not REALLY a widow! Lol!) 
• He knew little English & no ABC’s. T’was also my 1st ever ESL attempt from scratch. VERY slow start, but hospitality & friendship is the key. (Lev. 19:34) Not achievement. So, I powered through discouragement & doubts. In time, he would describe a tragic incident which deeply scarred his soul. No wonder why his capacity for memory was so impaired.
• My cautious evangelism, slower than his slow pace of learning, began as generically humanitarian. If Jesus wanted Ron, He’d have to stoke his curiosity via the Spirit in me. He predictably “unpacked me” on his own terms. First early good sign was when he volunteered how he hated his own religion & loved Christians! I followed his lead when he talked religion & dropped it when he did. And prayed at home.
• Then a MAJOR development: One day, he said that he’d listened to Christian radio as a refugee before coming here. Open door. He gratefully accepted a Bible…but things went anticlimactic when he showed little interest for 1.5 yrs. But our service to God is obedience, not success.
• Grieving the day before his country fell to the insurgency, he said that his bro (previously known as “S”...calling him "Sam" now) had little food. Ron promised to send him $100 although $ was tight. He wasn’t asking for help but I matched him, anyway. After Sam came to Jesus, I insisted on helping regularly b/c Ron kept having accidents. Found out he was working 18 hr days, supporting several people in his country. Besides, Sam was also now MY bro. Refugees now get all my tithes & offerings.

• Then we started reading the Bible w/Ron weekly. Been blessed by his curiosity & simple childlike faith b/c it’s not been tainted by the bias of western sectarian academic analysis. When he mentioned nightmares after reading the Bible at night, we prayed over him & WITH him. He called 4 days later to report Jesus rescuing him on a white horse from a battlefield! He may’ve previously been born again, but knowing his exact spiritual birthday isn’t the issue. He also doesn’t know his actual physical birthday. Like many from his country, his documents say Jan. 1.
• After his wife said that he’d become a better husband & father since following Jesus, he tested her: “Do you believe EVERYTHING in your holy book?” When she said, “yes”, he asked if he could take more wives. You can guess her answer. LOL!!! That Ron….such a smarty pants! Pray for her salvation. He’s shown her the Jesus film.
• He’s kept his contacts, per our suggestion. He now reports that many want out of the religion! He was recently standing outside of the community’s worship center w/5 friends during the holiest day of their sect (eclipsing even the fasting season). One asked when he’d go inside to pray. They gasped when he said, “If I go in there & pray, I’LL PRAY FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF THE RELIGION!” He continued, “Think about how it ruined our country & our lives!” All but one agreed!
• Despite the speed of THAT ^ NEWS pulsing thru their tight network, he was elected a few wks later as an officer in their community! Strategic spot b/c he’s the official liaison to the other people groups from their country & the community at large. Counterintuitive, but folks from the other Abrahamic religion often have deep respect for unashamed Christians. (Rom. 1:16)
• A newcomer was given my number, called & wanted to meet me. Ron picked me up & we visited him. The man needed a job but speaks no English. Even fewer prospects as he also can’t read in his own language. Thinking on his feet, Ron phoned a man whom I also know. This boss has many workers from the “A” country & was hiring! We got in Ron’s car & drove about 5 min for a quick interview. Hired! When the bossman, an atheist, identified me as a believer, Ron took the opp to also out himself! A blessing to see this firsthand!

......Pls pray for Ron’s wisdom & safety. We’re giddy w/excitement for his passion but cautioned him to not venture beyond what the Lord is doing….to let the Spirit lead in Gospel engagement….like we did w/him…We trust his immediate community but it's possible that a few folks from one of the other people groups could pose threats.

What I love most about the oldie but goodie below is how the dad just enjoys watching his son’s moments of discovery. Reminds me of the joy that the rest of us feel as we watch Ron discovering Jesus in our Tues. Bible studies. 

Recently spoke w/a refugee in another country who came to faith last yr. He used to train T^!.b^n fighters & was quite wealthy but left it all behind. Like when Saul became the Apostle Paul. (Acts 9:1-31) Was maimed & nearly killed after coming to Jesus. Escaped to another country but his location was exposed. 2 would-be assassins were intercepted before traveling there. His immense needs are compounded by a serious health issue. I know the man who’s discipling him & can vouch for him. If anyone is interested in helping this bro, I can put you in touch w/his pastor. You can get a tax write-off through his sending Church. 

For letting the Spirit do the work, hearing what the young ’uns have to say, helping modern day Pauls and the nations……

Just another witness to His Glory!


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