Bus 5 is the BEST bus!!!
Yesterday, we had 31 on the bus with 2 first time visitors. I had not expected a big number due to the Labor Day holidays, but, praise the Lord, I was wrong.
There were several blessings. Timothy finally rode. He is in the eighth grade and has never been to church but once in his life. It was exciting to speak with him after church and get his impression of the service.
There were five adults baptized. Three gentlemen from the Veteran's Ministry were won to the Lord this past week and baptized, and a young couple that I started visiting after their little girl rode my bus with a friend. A while back, my bus route was split and one town given to another bus that had a lot less area to cover. Bus 1 took over visiting in that home. The bus captain of that bus is a very godly man with a real burden for souls. He has continued to work diligently with this family. This past week our pastor was able to visit in the home for his fifth time and there see this couple take that important step. I can't wait to see what happens in their family.
When I asked Tim about the baptism, he said that he was thinking about asking his mom to come to church next week and watch him get baptized. Of course, the door was open for me to explain the plan of salvation to him. I didn't feel led to try to press for a commitment at this time. I thought it would be better to let him think about it. He promised he would be back next Sunday.
Caleb was back! He was very upset when he got on the bus and his sister was taunting him because he had gotten in trouble for some reason. After so long, he ran out of his seat and dove over another seat, grabbing his sister by the hair of the head and pulling her over the back of the seat in front of her. I had to break the fight up and use my harshest voice with them both. They were quiet for the rest of the way to church. Actually, for a short time, the whole bus was quiet.
Sunday school went by quickly and I went to choir practice. As I was leaving the choir room to go to church, I saw one of the bus workers in the hall with Caleb. He informed me that Caleb was causing trouble in junior church already. I took him away from the crowd and tried to talk to him. He begged me to please let him go to "big church"! I explained that I couldn't do that because I had to be in the choir and could not let him sit alone until I could come down. "Oh please, Mrs. C-----! I promise I will be good!" I knew better but I just couldn't help giving an underdog another chance!
As I was entering the auditorium to take him to my seat and give him some last minute instructions, I remembered my friend "J". He rode the bus today also. He is a black man in his late 30's that I met years ago because he was working with my children at Wendy's. Maleah had told me how "J" had defended her against some of the boys that wanted to be a little forward with her and I loved him immediately. When I started in the bus ministry, I ran into him again on visitation and for a time he and his family rode the bus. He was such a help because not only is he a Christian man with a love for children, he also ripples with muscles and has a formidable booming voice(if needed). To put it mildly, he was a blessing to have on the bus.
Maleah visited with me Saturday, since she was over for a visit so I stopped by "J's" house because she had not seen him for quite a while. He informed me that the church they had been going to was such a long way away that he was concerned about the gasoline prices these days. I told him that he was ALWAYS welcome on Bus 5. Sure enough he rode yesterday.
So, back to the story! As I entered the auditorium with Caleb, I remembered "J"! I asked Caleb if he minded sitting with him to which he excitedly replied, "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!"
"J" did exactly what I expected. He put a big massive arm around that little boy and hugged him up real tight. Caleb immediately responded to the affection. I relaxed and went to the choir. During the song service I could hardly hold back the tears as I watched the Holy Spirit work through a human vessel. "J" has a beautiful, deep voice. During congregational singing he participates heartily. He didn't force Caleb to stand or try to "make" him do anything, but I watched as Caleb sat while the congregation stood and then as he watched "J" participate, he stood up beside him, then got a book. "J" showed him the page and then patiently pointed out the words to a little black(no pun intended) sheep! It was beautiful!
The thought came to me that perhaps this was the first time that Caleb had observed a godly black man. In his world there are not many godly black men. Perhaps that is overstepping a boundary but I fear that it is true. After I proofed my post, I realized that I need not put the "black" in that statement....perhaps, to our shame, this may be the first time Caleb saw ANY godly man that was willing to attend to his needs and share that faith in a practical way with him.
I forgot to add that Cheyenne was back this Sunday again, with her new bible and a friend!!!
God is working in Caleb's life! God is working on Bus 5! God is working at Second Baptist Church! God is working in my life!!Thank you, Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There were several blessings. Timothy finally rode. He is in the eighth grade and has never been to church but once in his life. It was exciting to speak with him after church and get his impression of the service.
There were five adults baptized. Three gentlemen from the Veteran's Ministry were won to the Lord this past week and baptized, and a young couple that I started visiting after their little girl rode my bus with a friend. A while back, my bus route was split and one town given to another bus that had a lot less area to cover. Bus 1 took over visiting in that home. The bus captain of that bus is a very godly man with a real burden for souls. He has continued to work diligently with this family. This past week our pastor was able to visit in the home for his fifth time and there see this couple take that important step. I can't wait to see what happens in their family.
When I asked Tim about the baptism, he said that he was thinking about asking his mom to come to church next week and watch him get baptized. Of course, the door was open for me to explain the plan of salvation to him. I didn't feel led to try to press for a commitment at this time. I thought it would be better to let him think about it. He promised he would be back next Sunday.
Caleb was back! He was very upset when he got on the bus and his sister was taunting him because he had gotten in trouble for some reason. After so long, he ran out of his seat and dove over another seat, grabbing his sister by the hair of the head and pulling her over the back of the seat in front of her. I had to break the fight up and use my harshest voice with them both. They were quiet for the rest of the way to church. Actually, for a short time, the whole bus was quiet.
Sunday school went by quickly and I went to choir practice. As I was leaving the choir room to go to church, I saw one of the bus workers in the hall with Caleb. He informed me that Caleb was causing trouble in junior church already. I took him away from the crowd and tried to talk to him. He begged me to please let him go to "big church"! I explained that I couldn't do that because I had to be in the choir and could not let him sit alone until I could come down. "Oh please, Mrs. C-----! I promise I will be good!" I knew better but I just couldn't help giving an underdog another chance!
As I was entering the auditorium to take him to my seat and give him some last minute instructions, I remembered my friend "J". He rode the bus today also. He is a black man in his late 30's that I met years ago because he was working with my children at Wendy's. Maleah had told me how "J" had defended her against some of the boys that wanted to be a little forward with her and I loved him immediately. When I started in the bus ministry, I ran into him again on visitation and for a time he and his family rode the bus. He was such a help because not only is he a Christian man with a love for children, he also ripples with muscles and has a formidable booming voice(if needed). To put it mildly, he was a blessing to have on the bus.
Maleah visited with me Saturday, since she was over for a visit so I stopped by "J's" house because she had not seen him for quite a while. He informed me that the church they had been going to was such a long way away that he was concerned about the gasoline prices these days. I told him that he was ALWAYS welcome on Bus 5. Sure enough he rode yesterday.
So, back to the story! As I entered the auditorium with Caleb, I remembered "J"! I asked Caleb if he minded sitting with him to which he excitedly replied, "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!"
"J" did exactly what I expected. He put a big massive arm around that little boy and hugged him up real tight. Caleb immediately responded to the affection. I relaxed and went to the choir. During the song service I could hardly hold back the tears as I watched the Holy Spirit work through a human vessel. "J" has a beautiful, deep voice. During congregational singing he participates heartily. He didn't force Caleb to stand or try to "make" him do anything, but I watched as Caleb sat while the congregation stood and then as he watched "J" participate, he stood up beside him, then got a book. "J" showed him the page and then patiently pointed out the words to a little black(no pun intended) sheep! It was beautiful!
The thought came to me that perhaps this was the first time that Caleb had observed a godly black man. In his world there are not many godly black men. Perhaps that is overstepping a boundary but I fear that it is true. After I proofed my post, I realized that I need not put the "black" in that statement....perhaps, to our shame, this may be the first time Caleb saw ANY godly man that was willing to attend to his needs and share that faith in a practical way with him.
I forgot to add that Cheyenne was back this Sunday again, with her new bible and a friend!!!
God is working in Caleb's life! God is working on Bus 5! God is working at Second Baptist Church! God is working in my life!!Thank you, Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by momlinda1945 | 9:58 AM
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