The Time Has Come

"Do you know that this week I decided to become a Christian?"
"Yes, I heard that, praise God!  Welcome to the family!"
'A' smiled and laughed hesitantly. 

"Do you have peace in your heart about your decision?"  I asked her.
"Yes, but sometimes I still don't understand."
"There are things I don't understand too," I admitted. "But when the time is right, God will help us understand."

For over a year, 'A' had been attending Bible studies and learning about Christ.  Her first exposure to the gospel came through an English class.  At first, attending Bible study was more for English practice than Bible learning.  But as the months went on, God slowly, gently, transformed her heart.  'A' became hungry to know more about Jesus.  Then it didn't matter what language the Bible study was in, 'A' was ready to learn. 

"I know God is real, but I'm just not ready."  She told me a couple months ago.  Her main hesitation has been disappointing her family.   It's a scary prospect, espeically in a culture where everyone is taught to do everything possible to 'safe face' and not disrespect family.  Now, God has given her peace even in that area.

Marveling at the journey Jesus had taken her on, I asked, "Why did you decide to believe now?"
"The time had finally come."

Welcome First Years!

"Are you a Christian?"  Mec asked me only minutes after the first-year student sat down to visit with us on his first day school. We had already asked the usual, name, subject studying, from where questions. 

Now it was his turn.  "I've been a Christian for a couple of years, but I don't have any Christian friends."

"Well, you've come to the right place." We responded.

Obviously this was a God moment in bringing Mec to our table.  The university was crawling with new students and crowded with tables set up advertising many different clubs.  Over a game of Uno, we had the chance to talk about the importance of fellowship, when we have worship at BJD and how Mec heard about the BJD community.  I am hopeful that God will raise Mec up to be a strong leader and devoted disciple. 

 As you can see, a lot of students came for orientation.  

And this is just half of one of the 10 classroom buildings!  

 A lot of people, a lot of potential relationships, 

and a lot of lives for God to impact.

Hope Found

  A soul seeking merrit.

Longing to please, but seeing no point.

Tunnels of the eyes leading to a hopeless heart. 

 What is life, but to suffer?

What is the point of life if nothing 

is good enough?

A friendly smile.

A genuine heart.

A story of hope.

A story of sacrifice.

A story of someone who was good enough. 

Some make merit by adding to the temple coins bowls.

Now comes the battle inside. 

A tug-a-war between culture and truth.  

But family. But reputation.

A struggle between fear and unsurpassable peace.

Big sigh, the fight is over. 

The Creator won. 

 Peace is already flowing through all veins of the heart. 

The road ahead is not easy, some warn. 

But it is worth it.

There is hope.