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| Tom I, part of the men’s 1-week team |
Tom has served on Missionary support groups for Mississippi before, but this was his first time going himself.
Our church motto is “Loving God, Loving Others, Make a Difference.” I
truly believe that the Lord allowed our team (Mens Only + the 2-week team)
to “Make a Difference” during our stay in Mississippi last month.
There were numerous instances, but one of many instances the Lord impressed
upon me was when He allowed a fellow brother in Christ to cross our path.
His name was Matt. On Saturday, the last day on the Pascagoula jobsite,
we were all having lunch together (Evergreeners as well as the other
Habitat volunteers.) During lunch, the Lord brought to my attention one
of the volunteers just walking around; I felt the Lord say “Go speak with
him.” So out of obedience, (but this also was forcing me to “step out of
my comfort zone””) I went to speak with him and found out that he had just
recently moved to Biloxi about 1-1/2 months earlier after growing up in
Chattanooga, TN . Before relocating, and not really knowing anyone in
Mississippi, he prayed and prayed about this move and he eventually felt
the Lord wanted him in Biloxi. So he took a “step of faith” and moved.
This is a lesson the Lord taught me – to listen for HIS voice (speak Lord,
your servant is listening), being obedient and “step out in faith” as Matt
did.
Matt had a job in Biloxi, but did not have friends or a church home for
support and fellowship. About a week after arriving in Biloxi, he signed
up as an HFH (Habitat for Humanity) volunteer and was given a date 5 weeks
into the future and in addition, he was assigned to our worksite in
Pascagoula. I believe the Lord provided me as well as our team with a
divine appointment.
We co-labored, shared a meal, and had great fun/fellowship and then near
the end of the workday, about 8-10 of us had the opportunity to lay hands
and pray for him and pray a blessing over him. Knowing he didn’t have a
regular church home in which to worship, we extended an invitation for him
to join us at Mosaic Church the following day; a church where the co-ed
team as well as some of our HFH brethren worship.
At the conclusion of service, as we departed for the airport to return
home, one of Matt’s parting comments was that he came to help and bless
others in Mississippi; but he found that he, in turn was blessed many times
over by our team.
For myself and for many others on the team, it was quite a blessing to meet
and minister to a new friend and fellow brother in Christ.
As an addendum to this, after worship service that Sunday morning, a few of
us noticed that Paul, one of the guys we introduced Matt to, appeared to be
taking Matt’s phone number. We found out that Paul later called him and
invited him to Mosaic’s Men’s group and a Sunday evening bible study. In
a subsequent email conversation I’ve had with Matt , he said “seemed as
though I found that home church I was looking for. Love to watch God
work! Tell everyone I said hello and thanks for the prayers……Y’all seem
to have a direct line to Him.”
The Lord had a plan for us to meet Matt that Saturday, and He also planned
for us to attend Mosaic Church Sunday morning. All Praise, Honor & Glory
goes to Him.
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| Tom praying for Matt |