Thank you each and all for praying for us to arrive safely. We sensed God's protection and His going before us. In fact as we travelled one main road, a car (containing 5 adults) hit a big lorry just in front of us. The car was obviously very smashed, and hurtled into a ditch some 6 foot lower than the road. Amazingly all adults, some very elderly got out seemingly relatively unscathed other than a few cuts and bruises, We don't always know what chaos the enemy causes around us, but we do know for sure that He protects His people. Psalm 91:11-12
On arrival, I was offered to rest. I guess I had been in travelling mode for 36 hours. Something better was on offer than rest... 14 brothers in arms having a leadership gathering to encourage each other and plan the future of youth and camp ministry. I was so privileged to be included, I jumped back in the car with enthusiasm and it didn't disappoint.
Times here are showing the strains. Throughout various locations you see reminders... a fully engraved grave stone with the enemies name and beautiful carving of his face on it sits on the ground below traffic lights. The humour has become a little more dark, the eyes look a little more tired as you look at folks in the streets. In various places there are no younger folks to be seen and in some towns more rural people are not on the streets like they used to be. Of course in some cases this is due to reduced population, but in others it is because the younger generation have gone missing. Either they are conscripted, or they have migrated or they are present but in hiding for fear of being taken to conscription by those inspecting the streets.
You would however know non of this sadness from the tone and interaction of the leaders meeting. Why is that so ? Hard times bring true teams closer together in integrity, trust, and openness. Something I didn't quite expect however was the true joy of brothers being together. So many belly laughs and banter. There were tears, but because we couldn't stop laughing. It is so good when people brought together by God share life in unity. It is the greatest tonic to a broken world. We discussed the conference we are having this weekend on trauma, safeguarding and pastoral care of those active in mission here at present. We discussed the importance of having each other's backs, watching over each other spiritually, being honest about our struggles, affirming when we see something of Christ in each other. It was the most special time, and worth travelling a few thousand miles for. If that was the only thing I attended whilst being here - it was worth it.
I then explored a couple of business premises being used here to try to work as business in mission. If successful will also provide jobs for locals / church folks who are really struggling for income at such a time as this. The instigant of one of the businesses is a long term friend, who has had plenty of his own trauma caring for a child with severe disability and degenerative conditions. What an inspiration to spend time with him, and see God's grace and determination pour out of him to encourage and provide for others. Commenting on Ruth 1:20 someone said that trial either makes us bitter or better. In the cases of these guys, I would observe that in every dimension they have met trial, suffering, death and pain by faith and trust in God Undoubtedly they are better characters for it. War is a brutal thing, death is a traumatic thing, but we have a Saviour and God whose central act in human history was to take on all human sufferring to himself. In love he conquered. In chosing powerlessness he brings power and victory over all these things. Today in our conference we will be procalaiming the Christian hope in Jesus, not just for this life but the certain reality that having accomplished all he has set out, HE WILL MAKE ALL THINGS NEW. There will be no more trial or tauma, just the joy of his presence protecting us from Sin and no rememberance of it.
The greatest encouragement last night was that one of the leaders was (when I first visited here years ago), a young man who was going through the rehabilitation system and "transition house" care of the church. Without going into details too much it was abundantly evident how much the grace of God had transformed him. Once he looked ill, as is common for those who have lost parents at a young age and fended for themselves or been through trauma. Alcohol was addictively present, amidst a life in loneliness wrestling with what he had been through. Last night he was looking so well, a broad smile, in the middle of a group of brothers who had his back, planning his role of leadership in camp and youth ministry, How awesome is our God ?
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
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