I want to tell you the story of someone who is in love with Jesus. Her name is Dorcas and I am not referring to the one in Acts, chapter 9.
I met this Dorcas in Guatemala City. She was baptized a number of years ago, but became discouraged for various reasons, and even though she continued in her love for God, she had stopped going to church and her faith was weak.
However, during the past couple of months, every Monday morning, she studied the book In God’s Right Hand with Katie Lynn Finch, IRSM’s summer intern last year. Dorcas was so excited to share in this time of encouragement, study, and fellowship before opening her store.
Dorcas, just like the one in the book of Acts, is always around a lot of people. She doesn’t sew, but she sells clothes from her store every day. She never closes, not even on holidays.
This made it even more wonderful and amazing that she made the decision and stuck with her commitment to attend the seminar that I presented for the women the Sunday afternoon I was there. She closed the store for a few hours and came, even bringing a friend.
The theme was Falling in Love with Jesus, and one of the things I emphasized was the blessing of having Jesus see us as his bride.
As a single mother and divorcee, Dorcas was deeply moved by this realization. She was so excited to see Christ in that way that she shared it with another single woman who came by her store that evening.
When we met with Dorcas the following morning, we were thrilled to hear how much the conference had lifted her spirits and how she had already shared some of the good news with others.
Of course, we congratulated her on putting God and the seminar as a priority on Sunday, and we encouraged her to do the same every Sunday in order to meet with other Christians for the worship service. We also rejoiced with her in the way that she had been equipped by God to share what she had learned with others.
What a blessing to see the chain of blessing and influence. Last summer, I was part of equipping Katie Lynn in order that this summer, she might equip Dorcas, who is now doing her part to equip others.
For more information and pictures that tell more of the stories of all God has been doing through us over the past few months, our summer newsletter is now available online or, if you are on our mailing list, you should receive a printed copy in the next week or so.
Please celebrate with us all that God has done in the past few months. And thank you for your prayers and your support!
In Him,
M.