Rom 12:15 tells us to ‘rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.’ One of the joys of being part of Christ’s worldwide family is that we can pray for people wherever they are in the world and can share in both their joys and their sorrows.
As a church, we support two missionary families: Fredrick and Reeba in India and Steve & Katuska in Mozambique. We have heard from both families recently. Fredrick and Reeba tell us of many people coming to know the Lord in India as well as many personal difficulties with health for both Fredrick and his family. Today, we heard that Steve’s father, Charles Davies (pictured below), went to be with the Lord on Monday 7th April.
Those of us who have lost a parent know that this is a very difficult time, even if the parent was old and the death is not unexpected. A few years ago, when Steve and his family were visiting us, Steve was telling us of the birthday party he and his family had given his father for his 80th birthday. His eldest son, who was about six at the time, could not believe his ears. “80 years old?” he asked in amazement. “He must be dead!” To a child, such an age seemed an impossibility, but we thank God for a life well lived and surrendered to the Lord for so very many years. Please pray for Steve’s Mum (Mary) and for the rest of his family, but especially for Steve and Katuska and their three sons as they are so far away from home, serving the Lord as directors of the OMS Bible seminary in Maputo Bay, Mozambique. It is at such times that we need to pray for God’s comfort, strength and peace to guard hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.