New Year's Day found us home enjoying a quiet day since our trip to Haiti (originally scheduled for New Year's Eve) had been postponed until mid-February due to possible political unrest after election result announcements scheduled for Tuesday, January 4. Please pray for Haiti, the election results, and the missionaries there, as the stress of "unrest" isn't easy. Anyway...we decided to enjoy the cold, clear weather and walk down to Washington Street Grill for breakfast. I LOVE their O'Brien potatoes - simply the best! The restaurant was packed and we were seated at a small table next to an older couple who were already enjoying their breakfast. As Bud & I chatted, we started to engage the other couple in our conversation. It went something like this...
Gentleman: "We live in Peedee, do you know where Peedee is?"
Bud: "Yes, we've driven out there just to enjoy the drive."
Gentleman: "Many people don't know it exists."
Wife: "Yes, we've been there 18 years. My husband is a pastor."
Cindy: "Oh, where do you worship?"
Pastor: "Peedee EVANGELICAL CHURCH - the only church out there."
Bud: "Oh, did you follow Roger Bole?" (Bud works with Roger at the church!)
As the conversation continued we shared our Haiti plans and they were so excited for us. We realized we'd both be spending time at the pastor's mid-winter conference together in a few weeks and that their son, another evangelical pastor from Lebanon, would also be there and they wanted to introduce us in hopes we might be able to share at his church. We exchanged business cards and said our good-byes wishing each other a Happy New Year with a lot of "see you in a few weeks" mixed in.
After they left, we sat across the table from one another in total amazement at God's hand in putting this encounter together. Then,shortly after they left the waitress came by and asked if we "knew" the people who had just left. She said they'd forgotten their credit card. I quickly whipped out the pastor's business card to give her their phone number so she could let them know the card was safe & sound. Bud called them today (after church) to ask if they'd gotten their card. They assured him all was well and thanked him for calling saying they'd see us "in a few weeks".
As we walked home on Saturday, Bud & I chatted, laughed and even had a few tears thinking about how good God is and how He provides in EVERY SITUATION! If we simply realize WHO is really in control and working out the details we would realize how much He loves us and cares about us. I don't know what this new friendship may bring, but we look forward to seeing how God continues to work in our lives.
We pray you each find God's hand working in your lives and wish you each a very blessed and joy-filled 2011.
Love & Prayers,
Bud & Cindy
As soon as Bud & I applied to One Mission, we started talking about the importance of communicating with our supporters and the importance of US PRAYING for them - what better way to thank someone! We are very aware of how much of a partnership going to the field is. As we walk in obedience to what God has called us to do, we put our faith in Him to provide through the obedience of those whose hearts are moved to join with us in this ministry. 