unexpected joys

There's something special about surprises - the happy kind, I mean. I've been like a little kid with joy lately because of one of those totally unexpected joys. You see, when my wife and I were missionaires in Cebu City, Philippines in the early 1980's, I bonded with the Filipino pastor that we worked most closely with like no one I've ever been involved in ministry with - it was like a modern-day David & Jonathan. When we left the Philippines in 1984 for medical reasons, the pain of leaving was such that we really didn't try to maintain contact. Of course, when I left the denomination in the early 1990's, any thought of reconnecting was gone.

However, a few months ago we accepted an invitation from Global Advance to conduct a pastor's conference in Davao City, Mindanao this November. For some reason, my nostaglia got the best of me, and I inquired from one of the denominal missionaries how I might contact my long-lost friend, thinking perhaps I could visit him when we're there.

When Willy answered my email enthusiastically, it was almost like we picked up where we left off 23 years ago - and my joy at getting reconnected has surprised all rational thought - it really just seems like one of those over-and-above blessings that God sends to us just to show us how much we're loved! We've been exchanging emails and pictures almost daily, and I've learned that Willy is scheduled to visit the USA this October - wouldn't you know it - just in time to participate in CLC's annual missions conference!

We serve a GOOD God!
pj