Well. I am currently sitting in my parents basement. My internship is done, I am back in my home country. Singles are now paper money, when I order a regular coffee there is no cream and sugar in it, and I can say roof with no one snickering at my accent. To be honest, I do miss Canada. Well, not the country (Sorry Canadians, but I am still an American) but Stratford was wonderful town but what defined my experience was a church filled with very dedicated Christians. The church has some very wonderful dedicated Christians. Men and Women who live out their faith...it was evident in their actions. They let me be a part of their lives, they were not only kind but they really showed me love. They showed me a church that was healthy, biblical, and wanted to live as Christians outside of the doors of the church. It was an honor to preach the Word of the Lord to them...It was a delight to preach to them. And the church affirmed God's call.
Pastors are an interesting breed of people...don't laugh to hard. We feel this "call", a rascal thing that buzzes constantly in the back of the mind. It is hard to describe, but this "call" is something cannot be missed. It is always there and I know that many seminarians and I am sure pastors as well struggle with it. We struggle to come to term that God would call us...little us...to preach his Word, lead his church. And I still struggle with this call...whether I have the "gifts" or ability or wisdom to do it. And in the middle of this congregation, in the midst of Stratford CRC, I was affirmed in so many ways. They said the right things to calm fears, they showed genuine affirmation. I can only say that God calmed my fears through them. He used them to show me many things of myself. I cannot say how wonderful this summer has been. God was speaking through people and through events "you can do this". I am not sure if I believe Him yet...but its hard to ignore him. How wonderful are the whispers of God.
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sometimes when a pastor comes to a church it is more about what the church does for the pastor than what the pastor does for the church; we have experienced that in Chatham and sometimes I thinks that's just the way God works; Glad to hear what a blessing to you those folks in Stratford were. You will find many churches throughout your life time that are like that; sadly, you may also encounter the odd unhealthy church as well; Keep listening for God's whispers. :) (Anita M.)
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