Now that we’ve gotten 3 months under our belt we’ve been asked several times… “So, how do you like it….really?” Well, the honest answer is we love it! But there are definitely good and bad days. For example, yesterday we had a fellowship at our house with about 8 different people from the church. MacKenzie cooked her first “real” Italian meal, (pasta with ragu…no, not in the bottle) and it turned out great! It was a fantastic meal and afterwards we played “Empire”! The best game of all-time. For those of you who know about Empire, just imagine explaining it in a different language and then playing with names you’ve never heard of…unbelievable!
Today on the other hand was a different story. I’ve been looking forward to this day for about a week now, ever since I had a conversation with a guy who works at a pizzeria who wants to study the Bible with me. Today was the day that we were supposed to talk about John ch. 1, but unfortunately he was working at another pizzeria today so we didn’t get to talk. Also at the market this morning was the first time I’ve had someone turn me down to explain the Gospel. But, I didn’t let it get me down. These people are lost, without hope, and need a relationship with Jesus. So, this afternoon MacKenzie and I went to a bar (cafe) to study for a while. I had just started translating a gospel tract when I decided to share it with the guys that work there. I asked them to read it and explain it to me, to see if they understood what they were reading. Well, it turns out they were completely uninterested. One was a atheist and the other claimed to be catholic but he didn’t believe in God, he only believed in being a good person. After an hour conversation of “why I believed the Gospel, why they don’t believe in God, and why the bible is just the same as the koran, and all religions lead to paradise” I decided it was enough. I explained the Gospel as best as I could, I explained to them that Jesus is the only way to salvation, and that without Him, they would perish in hell forever. It’s difficult to look a young man in the face and tell him… “I don’t want you to go to hell, and without Jesus, that is exactly what will happen.” But I did. God, I’m being as obedient as I know how. I know “He who calls you is faithful, He will surely do it” That’s why I’m laying it at your feet. I will continue to be obedient…, I will continue to love the people you have called me to…, I will continue to believe that your grace is sufficient… You are my King!
Paul