Christ and the Church are One

On the way up to LaOtto Wesleyan Church I said, "Jade, it feels like something good is going to happen."  She replied, "You know, I've been thinking the same thing!"  Fast forward to a trip back home filled with outbursts like "What just happened!?!" and "Let's clap for God again!"

The challenging work of this part of our missionary journey is one we love and accept.  It has it's bumps and bruises but more often than not it blossoms with surprises so big you burst!  LaOtto Wesleyan Church was one of the great blossoms of our journey.

Pastor Aaron Lee showed us great kindness, promoted our work to his people, spoke with admirable authority and yet remained highly approachable.  We were impressed with him!  The congregation was locked in to what we had to say.  They asked questions and listened to answers.  Many of them spoke encouragement into our lives with really simple and meaningful statements like "I just know that you are going to be successful" and "your wife is an amazing speaker".  The people backed up their support with generous financial investments into our work and many shared that they would become close partners.  We prayed over them and they prayed over us.  They stopped the whole service, surrounded us, laid on hands and really prayed!  We could hear them mouthing words to God, agreeing with an "amen" or a "yes, Lord".  What an experience!

At a time in our lives where every day feels like sprinting in the dark, it is a huge relief to bump into a bright and loving church.  We've been blessed to bump into lots of these kinds of churches along the way.  Paul wrote that "Christ and the church are one."  We can testify to this truth as we have experienced the love of Christ through His beloved Church.