I was grumpy. There, I’ve said it. I had just arrived in Klemtu at 5:30am for a week of ministry. I hadn’t slept well on the ferry that night and had been up since 4am. There was an inch of wet slush on the ground which quickly soaked through to my feet. Cold freezing rain came down slowly soaking through my jacket and shirt.
By the time I arrived at my accommodations I was wet and cold. I went to fire up the furnace and it didn’t work. At that point I just wanted a cup of tea to warm me up. The pilots were out on the gas range and besides which, my food for the week was locked up in a store truck until 10 am. So, no tea, no heat, no nothing.
I was grumpy and I said to no one in particular (I was in the house alone), “Why do I make these trips anyway?” I curled up in a blanket on the couch to warm up. Then the Lord reminded me why. There are people here who live without hope and without Christ. And besides, the Christians need discipling and the Church Leaders need mentoring.
I agreed with the Lord. What else was I to do? The only other option was to act like Job and try arguing some more with God but we all know where that got Job. So I changed my attitude.
The week went great…beyond expectations. That night we had a Communion service with the Church family for the first time in a long while. John, one of the Lay-Ministers, was asking for help. He recently had to handle his first funeral and was full of questions. I had opportunity to discuss with him not only how to handle funerals but Communion, baby dedications and pulpit ministry in general. I also had opportunity to counsel Alan, another Lay-Minister, about the importance of our personal spiritual life with Christ and how all ministry should flow out of that life.
I hosted a Men’s Breakfast and led the Bible study at the mid-week Fellowship Gathering. We began a Christian Lending Library. I counseled and mentored individuals. There were countless opportunities to share Christ with both believers and non-believers. Beyond that there were the meals together, visiting and numerous other activities as well. And in the end, the Fellowship Group and the Church were better off than when I arrived. And people once again heard about Christ and the hope, forgiveness and salvation He brings.
Sharing Christ with others…that is why we do what we do. He continues to change lives. That is why we go, that is why you pray and give.
This Christmas season we want to again express our gratitude for your gifts and prayers. Please remember us this season. Giving has been down. Would you consider a special one-time gift at the end of the year? Thank you for being part of a team which makes this ministry possible.
With our love and thanks,
Scott and Karen
