How we got here

Over the past year, I have intentionally included a few individuals in my network circle. The first was Fr. Marc Omar. I first met Marc when he preached at our congregation prior to leaving for Panama. Fr. Marc shared with us how he felt the calling to the people of Panama. We sent him and his family off with a small offering and a few ministerial items. Over the past year, we have corresponded via messages and phone calls. The one-story that impacted me the most was his trip into the heart of the jungles of the Darien Province and his time with the Embera-Wounaan people.

To realize that in just a few hours drive you can go from a major modern city to a primitive tribe changed very little over time. They still live a primitive culture with very little impact from modern society. How much can these people of the jungle teach us today? Our friendship has only grown with every conversation and my heart has been moved to do more. Only God knows the work that will be done with the fellowship He has called together. 

The second came as a very random internet meeting with Fr. Gisore Jean. A priest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Our connection was an answer to prayer as I have had a desire to connect with someone in Africa for several years. I was told many years ago that there will come a time when Africa will be sending missionaries to the United States. My friendship with Fr. Gisore Jean has given my heart that opportunity to be that mission field. He has shown me what it is to love the Lord with all your heart, with all your might, and with all your soul. Fr. Jean and his family live day by day in the very presence of danger. They rely solely on the Lord to protect them from the evils of genocide by warring tribes and factions.  Every day he ministers to the women and children most affected by this genocidal war against the Banyamulenge people. He and his family have shown me what it really means to trust God for all things. 

These men have been such a blessing to me in so many ways. They are living a life as an example of trusting God. Peacekeepers came about after reading Jesus’ words in John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” We too heed this call. We are to be the ambassadors for God’s word to the nations. We are to share this message of hope and peace of mind in the lives of others. Jesus said you WILL have tribulation...’ So here we stand in a promised world of strife and turmoil with the Good News that there is a way to have the inter-peace that surpasses all understanding. I hope this blog will bring you hope and peace in your life as it will for me to open myself to the words of the living God.