West Port Experiment

A few updates from the parish mission since last time. I’ve had a couple of tag-alongs, even since Anderson’s internship over the summer. First, I was able to take Mason Chase and his wife, Christina, to take a short visit of the S. Providence parish. Mason is a theological student in our Des Moines congregation. Then just this weekend, James Hoffman from our New Jersey church plant, who is also interested in the ministry, stayed with our family.

Yesterday, we headed into Providence, hoping to get an invite inside from a more receptive contact due to the rain. We finally connected with “Henry,” a Liberian contact whom I hadn’t seen for quite some time–though I had stayed in touch with him occasionally by text. James and I learned about some harrowing medical emergences that both he and his wife experienced. Several months back, he took his wife, “Caroline” to the hospital with serious intestinal issues. After more than a day of waiting in the ER without any word, he brought her home, fully expecting that she was on the verge of death. Thankfully, he got her to another hospital, where she was cared for and in time revived.

After catching up, we read God’s Word. I took up the parable in Matthew 20 of the workers hired for the same wage at different hours of the day. From there, I challenged Henry and his wife with the sovereign reality of grace that ‘makes no sense’ to fallen men. “Many are called, but few are chosen.” He seemed to be tracking quite well with it. Sadly, we learned that he has been mixed up with Mormons. I warned him of the pernicious falsehoods of that system and appealed to him to return to church. Please pray that God would work in his heart.

“Tyrone,” very sadly, has been in and out of jail. Again. His live-in girlfriend took a serious beating and texted me some rather unsightly pictures of her battered face. O, Jesus, tame this untamable sinner! Restore complete soundness in his chaotic soul through your free grace and love!

“Leah” is back in church. Praise God! But alas, she is living with yet another man. I expressed my grief to her at this latest news–she knew it was coming. I said my piece, the Lord’s piece, once again. But she knows we’re going to love her and care for her as long as she lets us into her life. It has been lovely to have her little boy with us. Today, he sat in my lap for some time during catechism class, as James Hoffman took the class.

Oh, and “Fatima” came to church a couple of Sabbaths ago. I was able to have greater progress in explaining the Gospel to her over lunch. Then as she stayed for the afternoon service, I decided to shelve my planned sermon, in order to preach the Gospel as simply and clearly to her and “Leah” as I could. As we read the passion account in John’s Gospel for our readings, she was clearly most attentive. One of my elders and his wife invited her to sit with them; and he observed that when we finished John 18, she clearly started reading ahead to find out what happened next to Jesus! Her eyes clearly connected during the sermon. Is the Spirit striving? O Spirit, overcome! It is nothing with you! Bring this precious soul into your saving embrace!

Finally, on a somewhat unrelated note. I have a good friend, a Calvinistic pastor of a small, independent church in the area. His name is Noel Hernandez. He is a faithful servant of Christ, but has recently had some major health issues, being hospitalized with Covid and pneumonia. He’s home, but still struggles. And he’s recently had his vehicle put out of commission with engine issues. Could you pray for him? And could you possibly make a donation for his relief? You can do so here. (Any donations this week will be directed to his family; after that, all donations will revert to the RPM fund by default.)

Learn more about Reformed Parish Mission.