FAIR SUNSHINE

H ad it not been for the sustaining grace of God, I might have contentedly done the very least required. I might have simply passed out the tracts, turned my heel, and departed as soon as the last leaf left my hand. Though the journey here takes but a little less than an hour, the distance is no small thing, and the flesh is ever quick to seek its own ease. Yet the Lord was my stay.  All these years, I have found there are several ways I might 'ease' myself into the work. I can read prepared and selected Scriptures, or pass tracts to people, or even have conversation with a soul without attracting attention. These are paths I can tread with some measure of composure. But the most difficult hurdle—the one that has, in seasons past, caused my heart to fail and sent me retreating towards home—is finding the courage to stand fast before the multitude. To draw every eye, to command their attention, and to finally open my mouth to speak is a trial that no introvert such as...

As we set towards the municipalities of Norzagaray, I confess I was filled with apprehension. It seemed a hard ground for the Word, and I reasoned in my spirit that it would be best for this poor servant to expect no visible fruit, but simply to walk in quiet obedience. Yet, this morning, the Lord granted me a sweet and solemn sight of His great Authority. I was put in mind of how, at the beginning, He spoke but a word, and even the things that did not yet exist obeyed His voice and came into being [Romans 4:17] . If the very void must obey Him, then surely I can trust His hand, whether the harvest be seen by my eyes or kept in His hidden counsel. I have been doubtful more times than I can tell, wondering if this errand was truly laid upon me by the Lord, or if I had merely taken up a burden I was never meant to carry. But my eyes have been opened to a clearer truth: it is not a matter of divine evidence, human confirmation, or my understanding, but a matter of God fulfilli...

T he word I had prepared for the sheepfold this morning was set aside, for I was drawn instead to the first epistle of St. Peter, the first chapter, from the thirteenth to the sixteenth verses. It is often my way to provide but a single message, yet there are seasons when such changes come—as the Spirit bids—right before the message commences. I have learned that when the wind blows in a new direction, it is best to trim one’s sails accordingly. Thus, I shared what was laid upon my soul, trusting that the food provided was exactly what the flock required for the day. It was most fitting for the day that the Bread of Life was broken in two ways: one portion given with much affection for the Lord’s beloved flock, and a different word altogether for the people gathered round. In our chronological study through the life of our Saviour, we found ourselves in the tenth chapter of the Gospel according to St. Mark, from the seventeenth to the twenty-seventh verses. Though th...

B itungol. The third location on my Norzagaray list. When first I surveyed this place, I confess I held but little hope for it; among all the places on my list, it seemed the least likely to respond. How wrong I was. I have proclaimed the Word in many a town, but the reception I found here is such as I have not seen in a very long while. Before me was a row of public tricycles, their drivers loitering about idly waiting for passengers. Yet, as I began to speak, they rose up perhaps, by a curious desire to see what manner of fool had come among them. As the Word went forth, a peculiar silence fell. At one point, I observed several of these men grow quite still, their minds staring blank far into space. So deep was this sudden wandering of thought that they were entirely unaware of the passengers already seated inside, waiting to depart. The earthly business of the road had, for a brief moment, lost its hold upon them. The folk stepped out from their dwellings to see what the com...

I have previously noted how the L ORD , in His wisdom, provided a reason for our return to these parts. This morning, I went to google maps to scout the surrounding area, curious as to where the local roads might lead. My browsing brought me to the summit of a hill barely a kilometer from our day one location. As I looked out, the thought crossed my mind: "What if I were to proclaim the Word here?" That afternoon, I understood—my leaving my Bible behind was the very purpose for which I was brought back to this place. Photo from Goole Map Upon our departure the previous day, a man had come to that very spot to put up a funeral sign—a local practice to signify that a beloved relative has passed. When we returned this morning, the lady of the shop where we stood yesterday gave us a most cheering report. She pointed to the sign and told us that the man who had placed it there had also taken our Bible with him. She directed us to where they might be found, and so we set out...