The God of ALL Nations

"By the means of people speaking strange languages

I will speak to my people, says the Lord."

1 Corinthians 14:21

Saturday morning, I walked my neighborhood in search of a church. After nearly giving up, I finally found one. I was hot, sweaty and tired, but felt a twinge of hope knowing that I could finally attend services!

Several hours later, an acquaintance stopped by for a Spanish/English lesson and spotted the church bulletin laying on the table, "You're Catholic?" he asked. "Because this is for a Catholic church." Imagine my disappointment!

After he left, I made a couple more phone calls in desperation. It was now getting late, and I didn't have time to walk the neighborhood again. The calls were all dead ends and I thought I would spend yet another Sunday listening to I-pod worship music and a pre-recorded sermon.

And then the doorbell rang.

It was a couple that live upstairs, who had received the brownies and wanted to say thank you. The husband, Renee, informed me that he and wife are both Christians and told me to take comfort knowing that I have family just a few floors away. My heart leapt to my throat. Almost too quickly I asked, "Do you have a local church?"

He smiled and said, "Yes. We go to church five blocks away. Would you like to go with us tomorrow night?"

I could barely contain my excitement as I instantly accepted the invitation!

And so, at promptly 5 p.m. last night, Renee, his wife Katherine and their three children, Renee (age 13), Salma (4) and Camila (2) escorted me to Ministerios Betel (www.ministeriosbetel.com). It was a long service, nearly 3 hours, and although I only understood bits and pieces of the sermon, I was so happy to once again be in the House of God!

I was warmly welcomed by many and enjoyed the sounds of my heavy accented Spanish mixing with the beautiful tones of the Dominicans while we worshipped; Two countries, two languages, and One Mighty God.

As Renee sat beside me, he whispered, "Tasha, this was all prepared for you by God. He had this made for you long before you even knew it existed. And all this time, that you've been looking, it's been so close."

Oh Jesus, I thank you! You know my heart, my fears, my needs, and my desires. Before I was even born, you knew what my days would hold. Thank you O Lord for the life you have given me! You are so much more than my tiny mind can understand and there's NOTHING I can give you that you don't already have. But thank you Jesus, oh thank you, for still loving me! And Lord, thank you for Renee, Katherine, their children, and their church. Please Father, bless them!! Thank you Jesus, oh thank you.