You ask the Lord for wisdom in dealing with Victor. With the agency continuing to flourish, there is no urgency, so you ask the Lord for clear evidence and a Godly strategy to deal with the situation. In knowing how quickly you can rush into things, you determine for the present, to only watch and wait. Two weeks later, when announcing to the staff that Rob is going to take the apprenticeship, the younger staff are delighted, but notice Victor and Phil exchange a grimace.
That Saturday as you lock up, Rob tells you, “When I was gardening this week, Mr Tuck, the elderly gentleman next door, asked me to tidy his garden, as he was selling his house. I asked if he was using an estate agent. He replied he visited one, didn’t want to pay their fees of around three thousand pounds, and the nice man at the agency said as he was elderly he could give him a half price deal. On asking the name of the man, Mr Tuck fished from his pocket a card. On the reverse was scrawled Victor’s mobile number.” You give a heavy sigh.
At the Barn Project a few hours later, your sudden despondency lifts as you watch the young people praying for each other, and bringing in mostly non-Christian friends. Between the two forty-five minutes of worship the band takes a break with drinks and biscuits served. Recently, a short talk or testimony has been introduced, often followed by questions and prayer. Parents, family and friends have set up regular payments to the Barn Project having seen how their children benefit from these sessions, and wish they could stay on. Since stepping out to sing in the Spirit Margie has changed from a shy, introverted woman, into a confident singer who leads worship in her natural tongue and unknown one. When she sings, or prays in a prophetic way using scripture, you sense God’s anointing. The young people love and crowd around her and hang on to her every word. The Project is growing into a ministry, for those parents who don’t, or wouldn’t go to a church service, are now asking that the Saturday nights expand to Sunday mornings.
Word: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt…” James 1:2-6 (NIV)
Worship: “This is Holy Ground” Elias & Olivia Turco 5 mins