Dear friends,
Greetings, once again, from Farmington, Michigan. We have now entered Member Orientation Program -- Week 3, the home stretch as far as seminars and training. It has been informative, interesting, and -- YES -- sometimes prone to promote drowsiness! But Thursday's "Day with God" was a very refreshing time and the highlight of the week in many ways.
We'd like to share a quick story of an adventure we had this weekend on a preaching trip to Hillman, Michigan.
I had been asked to preach at Jane's parents' church in Hillman so we made the 250-mile trip in just less than 7 hours (due to construction and heavy rains!), arriving late Saturday evening. A little after 11 pm, Jane walked into our room carrying our hang-up clothes brought for the next morning. She looked at me with an distinctively different coutenance, and then asked, with quiet voice and wild eyes, "Are these the clothes you packed for church?" I said yes with great confidence in my packing ability until I took a second look at what she was holding. Imagine my shock when I realized I had successfully packed my shirt but mistakenly grabbed Jane's tan slacks instead of my own.
Since we had only come north for a brief visit, I had packed light as all good missionaries should . . . and the only other pants I had with me were the shorts I was wearing at the time. Picturing myself preaching in not-so-dressy shorts in a conservative country church was a disturbing visual, especially when considering my bony, hairy legs exposed for all to see. What is a guy to do?
Due to God's grace, Jane and I were soon howling (quietly -- since it was so late at night) with laughter as we explored the options available at the time. First, I considered driving back down state -- but there were not enough hours for that. Next, I thought about an all-night shopping mall -- but that was also out of the question for northern, rural Michigan. Then I even tried to see if I could wear Jane's pants which was simply NOT a pretty sight. Eventually, after more side-splitting laughter, we found a pair of my father-in-law's pants that fit well enough. And the next morning, I was able to stand secure in the pulpit while "clothed in Bill Hammond" instead of being subject to stares and probable rejection due to an unacceptable or even possibly offensive style of dress for the time.
To God's glory, I was even able to illustrate the good news of the gospel from Galatians 3:27 as I relayed the story of my predicament to the congregation. I could share with great confidence the wonder of being "clothed with Christ" -- and therefore confident of my standing before God, forgiven and free!
Both in Hillman and in Spratt (the second preaching stop for the day), I was compelled to set aside the sermon about missions in Alaska that I had planned to preach. I was overwhelmed by a spirit of deadness in both churches and was convicted to proclaim a very basic gospel message, depending on the Lord's direction especially when I left my Bible containing the morning's sermon notes at the first church. In spite of my blunders, God blessed and many folks admitted that they had not heard such a message in years. May God start a new work there in northern Michigan for He loves each one with an unfathomable love!
Thank you once again for your sustaining prayers. We are excited about what lies ahead of us because we know that you are going with us on this journey. Please keep us posted on the happenings with you so that we can pray for you as well!
In Christ's love,
Bob (and Jane)