We dad’s look forward to Father’s Day among other things because it’s one day of the year we can accept the ‘spoiling’ and not feel guilty. At least it’s that way in our home. And while I always look forward to it, it wasn’t going to be the same this year. The family left two weeks ago for time with family in the States and Father’s Day would have to be celebrated alone. So why sit at home and feel sorry for myself, I thought.
Worship at the Casarapa Christian Community on Father’s Day was wonderful. One of the most treasured moments in my week is being lead into God’s presence by our worship team at church. They do a great job, get better and better, and continue to add instruments. This month it was the flute. Both services were full, adrenaline high, and culminated with 7 baptisms at the end of the morning. Our goal is to average one baptism a week this year. We’re just a hair under pace to reach our goal. It’s exciting!
Following a full morning, a family invited some friends we take to church from Caracas for lunch. It’s fascinating to see how the Lord works. We met the grandmother through our son’s little league team. Her grandson plays also. She’s been to about every church on the block. Most recently she left the Mormons. She shared at the lunch table how finally, in the later stages of her life; she has found what she has always wanted in a church. She brings her grandson and granddaughter. She said that if there’s one thing she does right in this life, it will be in giving her family an example on how to be right with God. She wants to be baptized next month!
After a great afternoon, I took a young believer with me to a very dangerous barrio area of Caracas for evening services. John Brice, a single man and believer of just 5 years from a sister church in Altamira (Caracas), leads this terrific effort. We couldn’t park our car in front of the church for a gang fight that had taken place 20 minutes earlier. A corpse lay in the street with a crowd gathered. 5 fatal wounds to the head took his life.
Apprehension filled the air as we began the service. Fear of revenge crowded our minds. Nevertheless, after a season of prayer, worship began and burdens were cast before the Lord. Just as I stood to preach, gunshots began to fill the evening air outside. (I’ve never experienced this before!) I bowed in prayer and asked the Lord’s presence as we sought to share Good News. More gunfire, voices of people scrambling on the street below, an occasional car racing by, and interruptions of people pounding at the door to be allowed quick entrance provided the backdrop for the message. Somehow, God blessed the efforts. That evening, with the portable baptistery in hand, seven more gave their lives to the Lord in baptism. It made a total of 14 for the day!
While I wouldn’t trade my family for the world, this is one father’s day I’ll never forget. 14 lives were restored to the Heavenly Father. The frenzy was worth it all. Thanks again for upholding us in this church planting enterprise!
(Reported by David Linn in Caracas, Venezuela)
