A unique opportunity

I mentioned recently in our newsletter that our colleagues, Ruud and Karla, were presented with a unique opportunity. Karla had been painting their garage doors and receiving all sorts of commentary from passersby (they live along a busy road), when a man from her village approached her with a question. He was a member of a committee in the local Catholic church that organizes the activites and teaching for the cnofirmation service of the young people in the village and wondered if Karla would be willing to give some Bible lessons to the young people.

(Confirmation is when a young person – typically 12 years old – accepts as their own the faith their parents have chosen for them when they were babies. This ceremony is a confirmation of their baptism as babies. At least, that is the theory for spiritual Catholics. As most people are simply traditional Catholics, this ceremony, along with first Communion at age 6, are stepping stones in life and an opportunity to have a party.)

It was obvious that the members of the village knew who Ruud and Karla were and their desire to know and live what they find in the Bible. When Karla mentioned that she of course could not do anything that would not be biblical, the man had no problem. He himself did not even believe in God. The other members on the committee (two women) did, but had very little Bible knowledge. They were more than willing to let Karla teach the young people about what the Bible is.

So Karla will be presented with the opportunity to really let these young people see what God’s word is. In addition, the members of the committee want to visit the congregation where Ruud and Karla attend – to see what kind of people these are who are simply Christians.

God can be so amazing!