Welcome to the Family
/The Bible Club started off like every other one. About 30 people with various disabilities and staff sang out with gusto in their praise to the Lord. Then came the Bible lesson and memory verse. Participation and a sense of God's presence was felt in an amazing way as it has in the past. Everything was done well to prepare the hearts to listen to God just like all the other times before. THEN IT HAPPENED!!!!!! As usual, we were dismissed to go to various tables to do the workbook and assigned with a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 to help with reading and understanding. The lesson keyed in a salvation theme. I was helping one individual when I began to catch the conversation across from me.
"Have you ever asked Jesus to come into your life?"
... hesitation ... "No"
" Would you like to make that decision tonight?"
... hesitation ... "Yes."
"Are you certain you understand what we've been talking about."
"Yes."
"Would you like to talk to the Lord right now and ask Him to forgive you of the bad things you've done and invite Him to come into your life?"
"Yes."
"Do you want to pray out loud or just make it between the Lord and you?"
"The Lord and me."
By this time tears of joy were streaking down my cheeks. He prayed and I watched as his lips were moving. A sacred time between a child and the Father. He finished. I looked at him and asked if he understood what he had just done.
With a heart full of joy and thanksgiving, I welcomed him into the "Family" and told him that the angels in heaven were throwing a party because of his decision. He smiled. This is one of the major reasons H*VMI exists - to bring the Gospel to people who usually would be overlooked. I walked out to the car after the meeting with a very light and rejoicing heart. I'm certain the one who had led him to Christ did the same. What a way to begin 2013! Please pray that there will be many more who come to Him in the days ahead.
