West Port Experiment

So, I’ve begun another season in my two parish districts. It’s been pretty interesting so far — definitely a Spring forward!

The very first day back in the S. Providence parish, the very first multi-family house, I was welcomed into the apartment of a retirement-age woman, “Ximena” (not real name). She was morbidly obese and quite home-bound; I normally don’t accept offers to come inside to visit a single woman without my wife, but this I figured was safe enough. The poor woman had quite a tale of woe; and she was rather anxious about various individuals in her life plotting her harm. Then, she confided her fears about paranormal activity. Clearly, this poor woman needs Jesus, the Liberator from all our sins and miseries, real or contrived. I read to her from the Gospels about this blessed Deliverer. She claims to be a Christian and even demonstrated a certain Bible knowledge that would point to a greater exposure to evangelical Christianity. But whatever her case, she was clearly very lonely and would easily welcome anyone to care for her soul. If you would like to be a part of that, reader, let me know. A Christian couple or mature Christian woman would be ideal.

“Fatima” has periodically reached out; but sadly, no church recently. She also talks about moving out of state. So we might not see her anymore. But seeds were planted. And God’s Word shall not return to Him void, but it shall accomplish His good purposes. Lord Jesus, please touch Fatima’s heart, working genuine repentance and saving faith in Abraham’s Seed!

After a longer period with us at church, “Leah” and her dear little boy have been back at church a bit more. Three weeks ago she was with us and even made us chuckle a bit when she very vigorously “amen-ed” and “whoo-hoo-ed” a point in my sermon. She sits with my wife and daughters right in the front row, and her little boy quietly sits (for the most part!) until the pastoral prayer, when my oldest daughter takes him downstairs with some quiet toys and books. The basement is our ‘cry room,’ if you will, with the service piped through a speaker. I’ve been impressed that with a little loving support, even an unchurched heathen can manage a high octane Presbyterian service and the littluns can adjust quite well. Who knew?

But true to form, radio silence for two weeks after that. I’d text Leah Saturday night, asking if she would need a ride to church. Then just during the prayer meeting last Thursday, as I was sharing about her in the prayer requests, a text came in (word for word, as typed): “Hi pastor Ives can we please come to church this Sunday? I really need to get to church.”) Yet again, a prophecy is fulfilled! “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isa. 65:24). But we are very far off yet from our greatest desire, her true conversion. She is still as the Samaritan woman, with a rotating cast of male characters in her life.

Tomorrow evening, we are having another of our monthly Spanish outreach broadcasts. We’re hosting it at our house, and a Mexican couple (60s?) who live in my Warwick parish, close to our house, plans to come. We’ll call them “Geraldo and Madia.” I’m preaching on John 3:16, and Anderson is kindly translating again from a distance. Join us if you can!

Also, in this connection, Madia would like to come to our morning service tomorrow. She speaks English decently enough, but Geraldo does not. My son Gabriel has technology on the ready for a distance translator, if anyone is able and willing to help. We realize you may have your own church commitments; but if it works with your place in the time zones and/or you are free to assist us as a one-off tomorrow, please let me know. My information is 515-783-5637 or mjives dot refparish at gmail dot com.

Finally, please pray for “Heather.” She is a precious young woman from the parish who was baptized and joined the church some years back. But she is under discipline at present. After some time of her being absent, she has recently resumed coming, though still not having demonstrated repentance. Pray that God will work in her heart and life, and that we will be able to love her in a way consistent with her rather difficult situation.

Please pray for us. Learn more about Reformed Parish Mission (RPM); and sign up for the West Port Experiment blog at the right to receive periodic updates.