February 2016
Dear Praying Friends,
She came in the back of the auditorium and sat in the
chair next to the door. Her drug
addicted son came in a few minutes later and sat uneasily beside her in the
last row. It was clear they were
uncomfortable and ready for a quick escape.
The adult son claims to be a “Christian” but believes he must self
reform in order to earn salvation. He
and his mother have had years of conflict over his drug addiction. He listened politely as I preached, but his
mother intently hung on every word.
Normally, I
pastor two congregations - our Portuguese speaking church in Lagos and an English
speaking congregation in a city an hour and a half away. But for the past six weeks, I had been
pastoring a third congregation (Portuguese) while the pastor was out of the
country. We were weary from the extra hours of travel, the added services, additional
time and effort, but God had something special for us.
After the service, the back row lady asked to speak
with me. She wanted me to pray for her
and her son to have peace. When I
explained that without Christ no one could ever have real peace, she asked,
“Then how do I have Christ in my life?”
I opened the Bible and showed her God’s simple plan of salvation. With tears in her eyes, she lifted her eyes
toward heaven and prayed, “God, I don’t know how to pray, but I sure need you
in my life! I am a sinner and realize I cannot go to heaven this way. So, please forgive my sin and save
me….amen.” When she lowered her eyes, she was a new
woman. For the first time in her life,
she had true forgiveness and real peace. This is why you have sacrificed to keep us
here, for moments just like this! Thank
you for your faithfulness in keeping us here.
This is fruit to your account!
Bringing the sheep to the Shepherd,
Mark Hale
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