-
As I bring you an update on what is happening in my life, I want you to know that I thank God for your faithful prayer support, and I pray that “our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2nd Thessalonians 1:11-12)
In answer to your prayers my message in the chapel at the Radio Network I’m on in Charlotte went well. After chapel I met with some of the leaders and it looks like they are interested in producing my program in Portuguese, for broadcast in Brazil. They also showed interest in doing a series of programs based on a book I wrote that has been published in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Please pray for God’s guidance in this.
I had a great time visiting my sons, Greg and Jeff and their families May 24 – 31.
I’m looking forward to be back in Chagrin Falls, June 10 – 19, and will be sharing briefly in both services at Fellowship on Sunday June 11, and at Cornerstone and Chardon Christian Fellowship, the following Sunday, June 18.
During the week I plan to be in my “Panera Office” in Bainbridge. Hopefully I’ll be able to meet some of you when I’m there!
As I’ve mentioned in recent updates, going through my file folders I’ve come across some amazing “Serendipitous Encounters” I’ve had over the years. I hope you will find this one encouraging.
Some years ago, Mur and I were on an extended trip to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and specifically Israel. Because of difficulties in Egypt our time in Israel had been cut to three days. It was half a year after the six-day war, and there were almost no tourists there. We rented a car and were able to visit many of the Biblical sites you would normally see on tours of one to two weeks. Mur returned home and I continued my trip for another two months to visit missionaries and teach at a Bible College in Sri Lanka.
It was Valentine’s Day when I took Mur to the airport in Israel. After praying together, hugging, and kissing she went through customs and to her gate and plane. I hung around, went to a lookout area, and watched her plane take off and fly toward Europe. Then, back at the hotel I got ready for my long flight to India and Sri Lanka. Returning to the airport early, I sat in a public lounge area and passed the time reading my Bible as I waited for my flight.
Suddenly a teen-age girl approached me and asked if I was reading a Bible. When I said, “Yes,” she asked if she could talk with me. She was an exchange student from Thailand who was on her way home. During her year in the United States she lived with a Christian family and went with them to church. Recently she had prayed to receive Jesus Christ as her Savior. Now, returning home to her family, who were of a different religion, she was anxious about explaining to them her decision. I listened to her concerns and questions and shared from the Bible.
After checking the time, I realized it was almost time to check in. I asked her when her flight was leaving. It was the same time as mine. We checked the flight number and found out we were on the same flight! At the counter we asked the clerk if we could have our seats changed to be together.
The long flight didn’t seem so uncomfortable because for most of the flight our discussion on the Bible and Christian faith was inspiring. When we landed in Sri Lanka, I got her phone number in Bangkok, Thailand, before I embarked. She remained on the plane for her next leg to Bangkok. A month later, as I proceeded to visit missionaries, I had a brief stop at the airport in Bangkok and tried calling her, but the one who answered the phone could only speak in the Thai language.
I don’t know the outcome of this Serendipitous Encounter, BUT GOD DOES, and that’s enough for me.
