Thursday, November 18, 2010

EXCITING IN WESTERN OKLAHOMA

We've been here for about three weeks now and are enjoying our stay. The people are friendly and the hotel is nice. I'm working nights, and we're still getting used to the new schedule.

Stephanie really has a calling to work in hospice care. Holding the hands of and showing compassion to those who are dying, and to their families. It isn't always easy for her to get involved because the red tape can be time consuming. By the time she is ready to go, we're moving to another site in another state.

But here, she has been accepted as a volunteer Chaplain in hospice. She is on what they call "Death Watch", to be on call when someone is very close to passing. God has definitely given her a unique gift.

Next week, Stephanie will be flying to Las Vegas to see her youngest son. She is really looking forward to it.

We went to Walmart today to get some carry-on luggage for her. When we pulled up to park, we noticed a man pacing close to a broken down car. I thought it would be good to try and help him and maybe get an opportunity to witness to him about Jesus.

We asked if he could use some help. He asked if we had a cell phone he could borrow. He proceeded to make some phone calls.

I told Stephanie she could go into the store and I would meet up with her.

The man was in a difficult situation. He had just bought the car the night before, and it had broken down. He had to sleep in the car all night to protect his belongings. He doesn't have a job, and he's lonely.

I asked him if he knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

He said he did, and funny that I had just stopped by, because he was just talking to God about what he was going through. I suspect he was a little angry with God and didn't understand why these things were happening to him. He said he was on the verge of relapse.

I encouraged him. The Lord was never going to leave him, or leave him in the losing position. God was with him, His thoughts were toward him, and He had something in store for him.
I said as hard as it was, it was important to stand firm and not relapse, to wait on God and give God thanks in this difficult situation, and God was going to show up. We prayed and he gave me a hug. He was encouraged.

When Stephanie and I came out of Walmart, he was working on his car, and we noticed, he had a smile on his face.

Search and Rescue. It's exciting.