Every Member There

Its mid-January and we attended the EMT meeting today at the mission church. EMT stands for Every Member There. Of course, every member wasn’t there. It was just a handful of people. But they were there in our thoughts and prayers.

You see, we got up early that morning and took off as the snow flurries were softly feathering down and covering the landscape of Otterbach, Germany with a blanket of snow. Maria was careful to drive a little slower than usual because the roads were especially slippery and wet. When we got there, we ate breakfast together German-style which consisted of cold cuts, bread and hard boiled eggs. After breakfast, we all gathered for prayer. The men divided the prayer list and each took 7 names and prayed for the specific needs of every member. Pastor Woody was there too and he prayed along with the others. It was a special occasion and we felt the Lord was right there with us, too.

Then, we talked about the need to reach more Germans with the Gospel. We took tracts to pass out and a list of people to visit. When the weather cleared, we would find a time to do it this coming week.

We parted ways and left the parking lot. Looking out we heard the sound of an engine. That was Pastor Woody plowing the ground to clear the snow. He will do whatever is necessary even clean the bathrooms. He’s that kind of guy. I said a prayer and thanked God for him. He personally cares for the members of this church. I guess it was worth the trip of 5000 miles to meet a man like him. What a difference he has made already in our lives.

When we got home we got busy cleaning the house. However, later that evening we got a special email from Brother Woody. It was a prayer for the Bentz family. How precious was that!

So pray for our missionaries. They have more challenges than you and I. Sometimes they spend their whole lives in an obscure place. Sometimes they see little fruit. They suffer many financial and physical setbacks and challenges.

But their faith remains strong; I pray my faith remains strong, too. We are waiting on the Lord as the doors open here so we can stay. Still, it’s nice to know someone is always praying for us and our needs. What do you need prayer about in your life? And who are you praying for?

Ephesians 6:18: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.      

And I thank God for Pastor Woody…