A DAUGHTER COMES HOME

 

                                        A DAUGHTER COMES HOME

            Lizz waltzed into my life as an answer to prayer.  I had prayed for a native friend – someone to have coffee with and develop a relationship with.  Soon after that prayer, there was a knock at the back door.

            “Would it be all right for me to do some laundry here?  Gram said I could.”

A native woman with long, straight black hair, looking to be in her late twenties, stood at the door with several giant bags of laundry. 

            “Sure, come on in!” 

I was getting used to the fact that although we were renting, with MCC paying the rent, Verna was still the matriarch of the house and yard.  The washer and dryer were our own.  However, it would be good to help meet a practical need.

            “I’m Lizz, Verna’s granddaughter.  The machine is broken over at Stella’s, and I have three weeks’ worth of laundry.”

            When the machines were both filled, Lizz came up to have coffee.  With a start, I remembered my prayer for a native friend with whom to have coffee.

            “I see you have some magazines in the basement–they’re interesting.”

Magazines? Oh, that series of booklets from an evangelist.  Could Lizz be seeking God?

            After that, Lizz came over often and a friendship developed.  Sensing her spiritual search, we introduced her to Ron, our volunteer co-ordinator, the next time he came.  He was also a pastor, very warm and experienced in ministry. We were all praying for Lizz and sharing the Gospel with her.

            At the next United Church Women’s Bible Study, held this week at Gail’s home, Georgina excitedly blurted out:

            “We have a brand-new baby born-again Christian with us today!”

Who?  Could it possibly be……?

            “Lizz!”

            “Tell us about it, Lizz,” we all begged.

            “Well, “ Lizz ventured shyly, “Our people are taught to go to our elders when we have problems or need advice.  So I went to see Georgina, and received the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart yesterday!”

            How beautiful!  God had sent Lizz to the one elder who had a bold, evangelistic Christian faith:  Georgina, who had had everyone sing the Doxology at her and Jonah’s twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, with no fear of anyone, although Christians were in the minority.

             A daughter had come home! And we had played a small part.  Now it would be our joyful job to help her grow in her new-found faith.

…there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.(Luke 15, 10 NIV)

…Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…(Acts 16:31 NIV)