(Pictures: Our family plus grandparents and Aunt Ally; At the dedication; Megan reading to the kids)
This past Sunday we dedicated our son Peter. It was not a large group; just around 15 adults gathered in a circle. It was during our normal Sunday service. There was a reading, we were asked to commit to raising Peter in the ways of God and then the fellowship was asked to stand alongside us.
Our fellowship here means a lot to us. Our team and island brothers are a great support and challenge to us. In practical aspects of parenting and in just having extra people to love and teach our kids, our family benefits from being part of a body.
It’s easy to think sometimes that when we gather for a worship service within the confines of our little team that we are somehow “playing” church. We don’t have a bi
g organ, or a worship band—just one guitar. We gather in a home. We sit in a circle. Often we listen to a sermon on CD. There is no pastor, only someone who takes on the job of ordering the service. No frills—just a small group of people gathering to fellowship and worship God.At the end of the dedication, we gathered around Peter and prayed. There was something special about dedicating Peter in the midst of this small group. Because even though we are small, we truly are a fellowship, a representation of the larger body.
So, as we prayed and asked God to bless Peter and to grow him into a man after God’s own heart, we were reminded of the great cloud of witnesses, friends near and far who pray with us.
PRAYERS ANSWERED
Our family arrived safely with all their luggage and we have been enjoying our time with them—showing them our life and introducing them to our friends here. Tom’s new classes haven’t been as overwhelming as expected—things are going well. This month’s seminar had a small turnout but was full of good discussion and fellowship—Tom helped lead a new song in the local language. We dedicated Peter!
PRAYERS REQUESTED
Peter has a cold, please pray for a quick recovery and clearing of his congestion. We are going to the “small” island for a long weekend with our family- pray we have a relaxing time together. Aly (one of our teammates) just found out that her grandfather has passed away, pray for her and her family as it is a hard time to be so far away. Megan’s incision (from the cesarean) still isn’t completely healed and recently pushed out some of the stitches (that are supposed to dissolve)—continue to pray for complete healing.
