BILL AND DRU'S
EXCELLENT ADVENTURE
Bill and Dru (short for Drusilla) breezed into our Church parking lot a few Saturdays ago. What a treat it was for Sheila and me, and indeed for our entire congregation. Who are Bill and Dru, you might ask? A travelling evangelistic team? A music ministry? Missionaries? Nope. Just Christians. Christians that we had never laid our peepers on before. But, that doesn't mean we didn't know them, or know of them.
You see, Bill and Dru go to the Friendship Baptist Church in Vicksburg, Arizona, at least in the winter months. In the summer they're back at their home in Detroit. Ok, so how did they end up with us?
Well, I have a great Internet buddy by the name of Brother Rick who pastors the church in Vicksburg, and they are great buddies with him, so . . . Actually, if truth be told, it started way back in the winter when Rick was being plain ol' nasty by rubbing my face in his beautiful Arizona weather. I, of course, took it like all good Canadians do (no, I didn't go to Florida!) After all, we may have to deal with the winter here in Canada, but it gives us something to talk about. As they say, what don't kill ya makes ya stronger, so we're pretty adaptable to the severity of our climes!
Now that we are in the summer swing, I've noticed that the weather has been particularly brutal south of our border. The temperature has been in the triple digits more often than not. Whew! If I were the mean, revengeful type, I'd have to start an email campaign to Rick and begin discussing the terrible 75-85 F weather we've had to suffer through. Furthermore, I'd have to tell him that in the evenings, we often have to close our windows so that the house doesn't cool down too much with the gentle sea breeze that's always present day and night. But, I wouldn't be that cruel! Nope, not me!
Anyway, I'm going off topic here. (If you ever want to get a Canadian off topic, just mention the weather!) Back to Bill and Dru. Well, back in the winter, Bill had already planned to head back to Nova Scotia this summer to visit relatives. Bill is originally from the Truro, Nova Scotia area of the Maritimes and moved to the States in 1960. So, kinda kiddingly at first, at least that's what I thought, there was some talk by Rick that he would be sending this couple my way to "check up on me". And, that's exactly what happened!
Bill and Dru parked their camper in the church parking lot and stayed the night. And in the morning they attended Sunday School and morning worship with us. In between we laughed and talked and had a great time! Interesting, Bill and Dru are the first Internet couple to make it to a Sunday worship with us. What a treat!
Our first Internet visitors were Jerry (PapaJ) Meyer's son Mark and his wife, Beth. As you know Jerry writes those wonderful Inside Out devotionals and basically picks up after me around the site! Anyway Mark and his wife visited with us from Atlanta. Sadly, we were just a short hi/bye pit stop on their whirlwind tour of the Maritimes. Still, it was great to have an hour or so with this lovely couple.
Where am I going with all this rambling and rummaging? Well, I'm trying to keep in mind that it is summer and most of you guy and gals in the US are probably sufferin' somethin' awful in the heat, so I'll try not to overstress you with contemplations too deep.
Know what? Being a Christian is plain fun! It never ceases to amaze me how I can begin to visit with fellow Christians who are basically total strangers to me, and yet there is an automatic sense of fellowship and joy! We all have God's Spirit resident in our hearts; we're all part of the body of Christ, and such common ground is the best way I know to jumpstart an instant friendship!
It was interesting to watch Bill and Dru as they explored our area. Dru was a lady on a mission. Armed with an arsenal of both film and video, she clicked and zoomed her way around us and our area. I can honestly say that I know how the natives must feel when National Geographic comes knocking! Thing is, she wanted to have plenty of material to show pastor Rick when they head back to Arizona. Everywhere she looked she saw beauty and something else to capture on film, whether it was the flowers, or Green's Point Lighthouse, or the Deer Island ferry. Everything was just wonderful to them and they had a ball!
Such enthusiasm is catching, you know that? What really struck me was how her appreciation for our "same old same old", made me see the wonder of God's creation all over again. I imagine you could live next to the Grand Canyon, or the Rocky Mountains and get used to it! Try looking at the world around you through the eye of a tourist. You'll be amazed at what you take for granted!
On the Spiritual side of things, maybe we get too used to our relationship with God and with God's people in the congregation where we usually hang our hat. Maybe the cross, grace, mercy, and forgiveness can all be taken for granted if we're not careful. Best thing to do is share our faith with someone new, or get near some new Christians. Perhaps a bit of spiritual enthusiasm can rub off on us as well! It certainly did when we met our new friends in the Lord this summer! Boy, imagine what Heaven's going to be like!
The Internet has become a place to get to know and now, meet some amazing Christians. I hope the exodus out east continues! Ok, PapaJ, Peggie, Ed, Bob, Lou, Eric, Eddie, Barbara, Charlene, Karissa, Kelzi, Rod, Perry, Preacher Rick and the rest of you-go east young, and not so young people, go east!
Prayer
Lord, You're amazing! Thank You for blessing us with the sweet gift of fellowship! Thank You for the special people You bring across our paths to refresh our walk with You! Lord, help us all to not only be refreshees, but also refreshers in Your Kingdom. Amen!
