Monday Mourning

I don't blog enough. I could tell you every detail about my day-to-day life down here. But then it would be repetitious and people would stop reading. Goes the same way when I wait two weeks to update a blog post, though. Lose/Lose situation here.

As I've mentioned before, Monday nights are home visit nights. A couple other sisters of the church and I make afternoon visits to at least 2 other sisters from our congregation. We usually stay no longer than an hour and chit chat it up with each other. We're girls.... we know how to talk. It has also been a blessing to make these home visits and get to know these women on a personal basis. Entering their homes, sharing cups of coffee, and sharing our lives has got to be one of my favorite ministries in the work of the Lord. And you can do it anywhere!

Yesterday we had an extra long visit with our dear sister Mine (pronounced Mean-eh; shortened from Minerva). I've mentioned Mine and her family in a newsletter back in January or February, and return to say that this family has a very special place in my heart. Family of 5 in a 4 room house (not bedrooms... rooms -- as in kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom) who own a family-runned food stand. It's the same thing over and over for these people, and yet they serve the Lord with gladness. They greet each other with gentleness and kindness. It's breathtaking and beautiful to watch this family live their lives for the Lord amidst such poverty. And yesterday we made our visit to their home because our sweet sister Mine lost her father unexpectedly. We sat there with her as she shared the story of her father, her adoption, the broken relationships she has with her siblings, the opportunity her children got to meet their grandfather, and how he passed away. We sat in tears with each other as we mourned for her loss. I was reminded of the passages of scripture that tell us that as members of one body, we mourn when others are mourning. We gave many hugs and sent up prayers on her behalf, and we all know that the Lord will give her the peace she needs in this time of grief and loss.

There are a couple other members of our congregation who have lost loved ones recently. Please be in prayer for all of them and our congregation as we learn to grow closer to each other and the Lord in this time the Lord chooses to take away. Blessed be His name!

Be Strong in the Lord,

Rachel