We have begun a more active travel schedule as we prepare for work in Uruguay. Sunday’s visit to Boones Creek Bible Church in Johnson City, Tennessee, was an encouragement to us. We were shown kind hospitality and were given opportunity in the evening service to say a few words about our plans. We anticipate a lengthier meeting with them in April of next year.
On the way down the mountain, a stop at a 24-hour restaurant for a cup of coffee and a bite to eat lasted almost two hours. The kid who cleaned the tables appeared to prefer doing it a little bit at a time. A middle-aged waitress apparently had been there for many, many hours. Another girl left work crying, her father dying in the hospital. A young waitress (Elizabeth in 15 to 20 years) worked while a she-could-have-done-better-than-that guy smoked a cigarette outside, waiting for her to finish. The customers in the seats and booths with their haircuts and body piercing filled in the poignant picture of humanity. I am hopeful that the Lord will give us opportunity both to challenge churches to reach their cities, and to have a part in doing so ourselves as we travel. In Asheville we had an hour left to drive, and the gas station attendant had another seven to work—time enough to read a gospel tract.
Pity the nations, O our God, constrain the earth to come;
Send thy victorious word abroad, and bring the strangers home.
(Isaac Watts)
Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd . . .
(Mark 6:34)
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