Tuesday, October 8, 2013

64. Now Faith Is The Substance Of Things Hoped For, The Evidence Of Things Not Seen."



It has been an interesting time here in the Kasai. I have described all of the things we have seen and all of the places we have been. Last night when I woke up and could not go back to sleep, I wondered what the unseen things were that I was missing. So I waited to see what I would “see.” As I have visited with one specific cook at MPH and with Marcia’s Cook and Gardner here in the Kasai, the other people we have met here in Congo, and the young preacher on Sunday-one thing has been constant –a child-like faith. I think the missionaries that labored in the past would be delighted to see where their little mustard seeds of faith have progressed. Mountains have been moved in this country.

It is very simple and basic faith- as if they believe what they can’t see because of what they can see. There is not all of this deep theology in their sermons just a sweet gentle- and sometimes a little fiery-explanation of the Word of God.  They don’t seem to fear the unknown because they have a real basic faith in a God they do know. They trust Him to do what is right. The past, here in Congo, includes our parents and they were put here to help in some small way to prepare this country for the future. We can’t necessarily see it but He can! (When we were in the tiny little church on Sunday one could almost feel the presence of past people of faith!)

It has been 53 years since we were here (and thousands since Jesus was here.) It seems to be going so slowly for good changes in this country. We humans work differently- we want to take people away from evil and bad environments and whatever else we care to list. But what we need to do is continue to “teach” people so they can change themselves through Christ. Then they can change their own evil and environments etc. As they have so eloquently explained- God has already given us His absolute all! We are already the center of His universe. We are the focus of His Love and Faith. He serves us and in return we so often just give Him the scraps. This relationship with God is without a doubt the best deal we have ever made! They have prayed at the churches that we have attended on Sundays- not to try to change God’s plan but to change us to accept His plan. And at the top of this paragraph I said it was a child-like faith and not theology. Well, I guess it is theology! Deep and Sweet! Now faith is a well-grounded assurance of that for which we hope, and a conviction of the reality of things which we do not see. Amen and Amen!

Have a Great Day!

Love Ya, Me

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