I just want to share a praise item.
Last weekend my DH and I attended a church convention and while there we heard some wonderful stories of how God is still working in the lives of people. One lady, Marti, shared how her uncle has come to the LORD. For privacy sake, I will call him Vern.
Vern and his wife served as missionaries to Mexico for many years. Earlier they lived in the mid-west, moving often, telling people the 'LORD told them to move'. This usually followed reports of Vern's inappropriate behaviors towards babysitters they had hired to watch their children.
Eventually, they moved to Texas, made this their base of operations for going into Mexico to minister. Mrs. Vern was very familiar with Mexicans having lived there because her father had owned an orange grove there when she was growing up.
In the meantime, they would travel the states sharing with congregations about their work in Mexico, drumming up support for themselves and the work there.
Vern was a very 'loud' preacher, belligerent not only behind the pulpit but also in personal contacts. He was an angry man. In due time he estranged his entire family which included (I think) six children, plus many others.
Vern's niece went down there to help them. While there Vern got to 'peeping' when she was showering. This made her so mad she went home and told. Then more churches quit supporting him, angering him more. In time I am not sure IF any churches gave them any financial support.
In the past year his wife died. He went to Mexico, had a car accident and that means trouble for a foreigner. He did get back into the states and fell into a deep depression. Reality hit when he discovered he had no friends. His siblings came to his aid and in the process of things - the details remain unclear to me - he saw his sins, confessed them and now is making contacts, asking for forgiveness, making restitution when necessary. He called his niece (Marti) three weeks ago and apologized to her!
Marti says Vern is a completely changed man. He is a humble man now! (When she told me it was like she was sharing something so very sacred.)
What makes this story so awesome is the age of Vern - he is in his 70s! Many experts say that when people get to be that old, they do not change!
I tell you, after hearing this story, I could not get my mind on the sermons preached because I thought this was so wonderful, so much gladness filled my heart! Perhaps there is still some hope for some elderly kinfolks of mine who are fighting God!
Blessings,
ginnyrose
