Friday, March 4th, was Philip’s 37th birthday. Philip and Liz are in the States for a couple of weeks, so we invited the church people to come last night so we could call Phil via the Skype video phone….
Many people showed up…I counted about 38. They crowded into the living room, expectantly waiting to see our beloved and missed Pastor.
When we got Phil on the phone, the “rondalla” (young boys’ singing group) sang 3 birthday songs, while everyone sang with them. As I looked around the room, watching everyone sing from their heart to our pastor, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with emotion at the love these people obviously have for our pastor. He has earned their respect and their trust and their love, as he’s been with them through all kinds of heartaches: deaths of young children, rebellious teens, divorce, and rejection of family because of their faith in Christ….as he has rejoiced with them through the return of a stray son, the reconciliation of family members, the birth of precious babies, and the salvation of loved ones.
As I looked around the room, I thought, “Each of these could give testimony of how their pastor has been with them, weeping as they go through the valley and rejoicing with them as they have been on the mountain top.” Sweat and tears; laughter and joy have been woven into the fabric of the lives of these people as our pastor walks with us, patiently, faithfully leading us on…on to victory in our Christian lives.
“Thank You, Lord, for the Pastor which You have placed here. Thank You for upholding him in Your strength, giving him the strength he needs to lead us.”
And THANK YOU, Philip! We love you…as a brother and friend, but also as a pastor!!!
And We Miss You!
Many people showed up…I counted about 38. They crowded into the living room, expectantly waiting to see our beloved and missed Pastor.
When we got Phil on the phone, the “rondalla” (young boys’ singing group) sang 3 birthday songs, while everyone sang with them. As I looked around the room, watching everyone sing from their heart to our pastor, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with emotion at the love these people obviously have for our pastor. He has earned their respect and their trust and their love, as he’s been with them through all kinds of heartaches: deaths of young children, rebellious teens, divorce, and rejection of family because of their faith in Christ….as he has rejoiced with them through the return of a stray son, the reconciliation of family members, the birth of precious babies, and the salvation of loved ones.
As I looked around the room, I thought, “Each of these could give testimony of how their pastor has been with them, weeping as they go through the valley and rejoicing with them as they have been on the mountain top.” Sweat and tears; laughter and joy have been woven into the fabric of the lives of these people as our pastor walks with us, patiently, faithfully leading us on…on to victory in our Christian lives.
“Thank You, Lord, for the Pastor which You have placed here. Thank You for upholding him in Your strength, giving him the strength he needs to lead us.”
And THANK YOU, Philip! We love you…as a brother and friend, but also as a pastor!!!
And We Miss You!
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