We attended a small retreat by our church CFSR here in Siem Reap this weekend. The fellowship was great and so was the food ordered by our Pinoy brother Roger. Not even to talk about the nice cold air-conditioning we had in our room. Typical behind-the-bush people from down South, we are not used to aircon, that’s why it’s a real luxury for us. Never mind the swimming pool, the water is too hot, but in the coolness of the aircon, we can find rest, hahaha.
The theme for the retreat was, Being rooted in Christ. All I could share with my little group was the big Kameeldoring trees back home. They can stand forever without water and when it rains, the leaves turn green. In the 70ties, I remember a 10-year drought where it did not rain. Everything possible alive was dead and we had to feed our sheep. Those big trees’ were rooted so deep that they looked dead, but after the first rains fell, the leaves started to grow again.
Our lives are like that. We have these lush growing times when the water is plenty and then we go through dry spills where things do not look so rosy at all. At that time we need to know that we are rooted in Christ and that He can pull us through. We need to remember that when things go good again, our roots are still connected to God. That is why we need a fellowship of people to support us in times of trouble and real need, to remind us of the goodness of our God.
Over these years in Cambodia and the Philippines, we were so fortunate to have such a bunch of people that supported us and reminded us about being rooted in Christ. These days it’s easy with social media and we need to be on the lookout to help our brothers and sisters in need. If I think back about all the big accidents I had already, so many people helped in such amazing ways, when Gideon passed away, the body of Christ was at work. Without the support of fellow believers and friends, we are destined to fail but God always shows us that HE is in control.
So what can we do?? We can lend our time out to some people that are in need, even if it’s only a text or message to encourage, every little small encouragement, reminds us that there is someone watching over us and walking with us. We need people around us.
Continue to pray for Noah. Her wound is really bad but she is always willing to clean it. Some days she does not allow me but I can understand as the wound is really painful.
It is encouraging to see my friends working so hard to proclaim the Gospel here in Cambodia. Literally like they say, come rain or shine, we will go. The roads are so muddy now and going anywhere is a real mission.
May all of you have a great week and may you experience God in a different way this week. Like the little song go: ”Don’t worry, be happy.””
Love
Rossouw-clan
No comments:
Post a Comment