MINISTRY//Concern, prayers, support
One of our Bible institute faculty members describes the joy that is his because of the love and support his students have shown to him.
During the past two years, I have been concerned for my Chinese students because of the Covid situation. Some of them live in the heart of the area where the Covid virus was supposed to have started.
Prayers for each other
My prayers went up to the Lord of mercy and grace constantly for them for I know the circumstances in which some of them live, having been privileged to make teaching tours to China.
At the same time, they sent prayers to the Lord for us. However, they not only sent prayers to the Lord on behalf of 316NOW, they prayed with great concern for my health, my family's health, and the health of the two congregations I serve. More than that, at great expense to them, they sent us masks last year through the mail. I was shocked when the masks actually arrived — hundreds of them. What a testimony to their concern for us.
The personal impact of those prayers
Last month my wife and I contracted the virus, the Omicron version, I assume. Although we have had several members die during the early stages of the virus, the version we suffered did not seem as dangerous. It was more like a bad cold — headache, coughing, sinus problems, and sore throat.
Nonetheless, the students prayed and prayed for us. They told me every week before our class. Great was their concern.
We are now fine. And, more than before, we are buoyed by our Chinese friends’ concern and prayers. They have shown the love that exists for fellow Christians in the fellowship of Christ. It does not matter if we are separated by thousands of miles. The love of Christ binds us together.
Christ’s love, the tie that binds
I, perhaps, would never have experienced this if God had not seen that he would use me as a teacher of tender Christians halfway around the world, Christians who want to grow more in their faith in Christ, the Savior.
Here I am concerned for Christians who have so much less than I do. They, however, are more concerned for me. Such is the love of Christ that binds us together as one.