Roxi and I waiting on our fish and chips
Life is so filled with contradictions…and for me this past week it has gone between peace and concern or elation and saddness all within a few minutes. Last Wednesday morning, I was privledged to travel to London, England, with my friend from our church here, Roxanna, where we would attend a worship conference over the weekend. (www.thekwm.co.uk) We arrived safely and were cared for by a very kind and generous family. We spent part of the day Wednesday and Thursday touring London. Time didn’t allow for a full tour of London so we just visited a few places, had coffee, and relaxed. Friday and Saturday were spent at the worship conference. The worship leaders and speakers were tremendous as they shared the thoughts God had given them on being a 21st Century Levite. Following are a few words from the notes I took: “It’s not about what a Levite does…but rather WHO a Levite is.” (Celia Apeagyi-Collins); “Private practice produces public performance.” (Celia Apeagyi-Collins); “As good as the seed is…we still can’t grow unless we have the appropriate atmosphere.” (Celia Ageagyi-Collins); “When we enter into rest we stop “clock-watching” and we rely on God’s timing.” (Lara Martin); “We too must die before we can receive the resurrection power.” (Mark Beswick); “God is in our hell (our wilderness) because we are there.” (Mark Beswick); “The love of what we tell vs. the love of the telling.” (Graham Kendrick quoting CS Lewis) The Holy Spirit was alive and active in our times of worship and prayer…and His Spirit strong even in moments of absolute silence. The leader of the conference, Noel Robinson, has a catch-phrase that I like…”I am a worshipper who happens to be…” then fill in the blank. For me, the conference has just continued to stir in me the desire to be more than just a worshipper…but to be involved in the advancement of worship in the form of music and the arts, especially in Romania as God and opportunity allows.
my Aunt Helen May 2007 on a visit to us in Romania
On Saturday of the conference I received a call from my Dad in the States saying that my Aunt Helen, my mom’s sister, had suddenly passed away following a heart-attack. I went from a high to a low… I knew my aunt was ready to see Jesus but its the knowledge of never experiencing her here again. I am also feeling low that I cannot be with my family in yet again another difficult loss (and my sister passed away three year ago this week). When we left the States four years ago, I knew I wouldn’t see my family for a while. But never did I imagine that so many would move on to Jesus before I saw them again…this is a difficult reality. However, I am more than thankful that my Jesus is Lord over death and that I have the hope…but even more…I have the promise that we will one day stand TOGETHER before Jesus in worship.
Please pray for: 1. My family, if you will, in this difficult time. 2. For opportunities for me to participate in the advancement of worship in Romania. 3. Scott and I as we continue to lead the cell leader training group. 4. Scott as he travels to Budapest this weekend to fellowship with our church there. 5. Stephen and Lydia and their school work. Thank you!!
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