Faithful in Adversity

We are so grateful for the feeling of love for this community and ward that has grown within us in just less than three months. At first, we noticed differences and brokenness here, but that is transforming to a deep and abiding love.  The way God’s spirit works within us is powerful.  We’re doing our best to be led, influenced and changed by the presence of the holy spirit in our souls.

While many members here struggle with church attendance, one woman does not.  She is ALWAYS at church.  And the amazing thing is she is confined to an electric wheel chair, is on oxygen, can hardly hear, has one eye, and the vision in that eye is very weak.  No matter.  She never misses. 

During the fires, almost no one came.  We had like twelve people when we started church and eight of those were missionaries.  The smoke was so thick.  But this woman was there.  With a mask.  And a radiant smile.  She never misses. What’s more, she’s always cheery, making everyone she talks with happier.  If anyone has reason to be cranky it would be her, but she is just sweet and patient ALL the time.

Yesterday in church she told us she almost missed church, once.  Something was wrong with her wheel chair.  No matter.  She called some of the guys from the ward and they came and got her.  They had to carry her into the church.  She just never misses.  We learn so much from watching her! She is a living example of the “If I can breathe I’m going to church” principle. 

Last Saturday was the official “start” of fire season here, which makes us wonder what the next three months are going to be like since the past three months of non-fire season have been filled with fires and threats of fires. We are prepared to evacuate a moment’s notice, with lists of what to grab and bags ready to go.  Any time we leave town, even for just for an hour, we pack and take those things with us, since an evacuation notice can keep us locked out of our neighborhood for a week or more, even if the fire doesn’t get into town, and we would want to keep serving and not be distracted by trying to find new clothes and deodorant.