I Being in the Way

Because of a late schedule change, the Lord allowed us a couple of days in our schedule of no services.  We were able to celebrate Esther’s birthday for the first time in seven years (her entire life) on the actual date of her birthday.  But after a couple of days off, I was eager to get back into church ministry.

Because of the extra days of leeway in the schedule, I was able to show up to a church on a Friday instead of the more traditional Saturday night.  Coming in on a Friday allowed me to go soul-winning with the pastor on Saturday morning—an activity that I rarely get to do while I am on the road.

The desire in my heart to see someone saved had become a passion.  We were able to see seven campers trust Christ in camp, but somehow that was not enough.  As I prayed, asking the Holy Spirit for direction and power, He led me to go early and join the pastor on Saturday morning.

Visitation here in AZ is not unlike visitation in other places.  The cults have saturated the area so that some will decry the very idea of going from house to house.  Going out on a Saturday morning means that some will not answer the door because they are in bed, while others have left already for work or weekend play.  Still, in spite of those obstacles, we went, believing to be have been led by the Holy Spirit.

In the end, we encountered people at only two homes.  The first was a good visit, but the two men with whom we spoke did not live in the area.  The second house at which we found people home turned out to be the answer to our prayer.

Nineteen-year-old Daniel was over at his mother’s house that morning and answered the door when we knocked the second time.  Unusually, he invited us in immediately, particularly after he discovered that we were not sheriff’s deputies.

His mother gave testimony of salvation, but when the conversation turned to him, he did not know whether or not he was saved.  After hearing the gospel, however, he bowed his head and prayed to accept Christ as Savior.  Praise the Lord for His leading and enabling!

We quit the Southwest next week (who in their right mind comes to AZ in the summertime?) and begin to head north for ministry there.  Thank you all for praying.  Our greatest needs are the leading and power of the Holy Spirit—the same needs, in fact, that you have as well.