Lost Souls at the Dinner Table...

The event was a who's who of the town, with every table in the large ballroom filled with the community's best. Lovely people, lovely food. Formal wear, black ties and fancy table decorations. Glittering dresses, flickering candles. Laughter and smiles, hugs and polite conversation. A movie worthy scene for any socialite's dreams.

What did I see? I saw a few friends who talked openly with me about their lives and how God is impacting their days. But, in that same room, I saw many more looking to the world to fill every void. God clearly wanted to give me a better perspective on what He sees in a ballroom full of social stair climbers. At our table, I saw a woman who played the part of popular socialite. The mask she wore was so convincing, even she seemed to believe the charade. Behind the constantly flowing wine glass, loud voice, boisterous laugh, low cut dress, and mile high heels, I saw a woman who was totally empty. The exact person that we, as Christians, are called to minister to. The soul who needs Jesus, the one who is filling that God shaped hole with anything and everything but God.

And I was speechless.
I had no idea what to say.
Nothing to talk about.

As she hit on the man sitting to her right, while her husband sat to her left, I stayed silent. As the names of the high and mighty in the room were rolling from her tongue like credentials on her resume, I kept silent about the highest Name; the One her knees will someday bow to, and her toungue will confess as Lord. Sitting quietly, hiding behind the napkin on my lap, the table between us, and the gulf that separates sinner and sinner saved by grace, I said nothing...out loud anyway.

Instead, I prayed.

I prayed for her, as I gazed into her empty eyes. I prayed for her husband as I saw his eyes well with tears at the sight of his wife hitting on another man. I prayed for everything in their lives, and could say nothing to their faces. But I prayed. Amidst the chatter, the drinking, and the clamor of the room, I prayed. Sitting beside my wonderful husband, with our two wine glasses still sitting empty on the tablecloth, wondering how on earth we wound up at this particular table, I prayed.

Is this evangelism? Not sure. Is this the heart that cries for the lost? It's getting more so everyday. Oh, how we all need to see the world as God see it. How we must understand the spiritual famine in our land, and the impact our prayers will have - if we will only pray.

Lord, help us - help all of us - to see the lost in front of us. At the dinner table. In the grocery line. At the gas station. And cause us to stop right there, in the midst of the moment, and pray for their salvation.

Pray with me?

Jennifer

New Logo

Playing around with marketing and publicity things can be pretty dangerous!

On a quest for a new photo, a new ad type flyer, and some fresh thoughts, this is what I came up with.

Whatcha think?

Does it capture who I am, and better yet, who I am in Christ?

Does it give others a reason to want to contact me?

Will it open the door for me to share the gospel?

I pray it will.

Thanks for taking a look.

Talk with you soon!

JD

The Amazing Journey to Huehue and Back...

Oh, how I wish I could have tucked you into my suitcase, and carried you along with me on the journey to Huehuetenango, Guatemala. From the moment we stepped out of the airport in Guatemala City, to the hours on the bus driving up to our mountain destination, it was awesome! We saw such diversity of landscape, culture, dress, and means of livelihood. From farming sugar cane on the side of the road and various crops on the side of the mountain to selling fruit at the road side stand and various necessities at open air markets, the people of Guatemala were busy making a living.

What we experienced as we ministered to the sweet people of Huehue and Chiantla will stay with me for a lifetime...and has convinced me that I'll be traveling there again soon. The warmth of the smiles and the hugs, the depth of the love for Christ, and the desire to see their communities changed with the truth of the gospel has left me breathless. The dedication these pastors have for their congregations and their cities is inspiring. The love we have for each person we met there is overwhelming.

Though we could have stayed for months, our week with the people of Adonai church was filled with encouragement, laughter, prayer and Bible teaching. We taught the leadership how to prayerwalk and how to incorporate new ideas to their worship plans. We laughed and played with the kids and teenagers, and taught Bible lessons and did activities with them. We encouraged the women with a Bible study class, a craft demonstration and social time, and shared afternoon coffee and pan dulce. We worshiped with our new brothers and sisters - in Sunday service, Wednesday service, and everywhere inbetween. We prayerwalked in three communities, and visited with precious women and children of each area.

We prayed. We taught. We served. We were humbled. Most of all...we were blessed.

One trip. One location. Big world.

Where is God calling you? Will you go?

Much love in Christ,

JD