A Dream

Last night I shared from Isaiah 55:1-7 in our cell group. This is one of the more regular cell groups in different homes near our church in Penampang. My wife and I arrived at the house 20 minutes early and I conversed with the father and mother of the house. The lady of the house seemed to know about my Sandakan ministry at Elopura as it was broadcast live over Facebook. After my sharing as I shared a couple of prayer items, about our next Sunday visit to Tuaran and other activities. Suddenly a former female pastor who is in her 60s, shared a dream. She is a faithful member of the church and followed almost all church events including the last seminar on the End-Times.

She told the 20 church members gathered in the living room that she dreamed about me last March and over several months supported the pastor's ministry in her prayers. She said that God was working through me as the pastor of the church and that God will do more through the pastor (things unknown now which God would reveal through the pastor) as she shared in Malay and it came as a surprise to me and I could see all the members listened attentively to the dream. One deacon who was present responded: "How come only now you told the dream since it was revealed to you in March?" That deacon's remark was profound and poignant as it was in April during the election of office bearers when I was put under severe strain and offered to resign. Seeing her slight discomfort and silence, I chipped in and said, "every thing has a right time". Indeed, it was timely that she shared the dream in front of cell group with a few leaders in the midst. 

It was an encouragement to all, especially a few that might have doubted the pastor's role in building the church. It has been a tough 7 months for me. Often times, wherever I tried to do something for the good of the church, one or two senior people would try to discourage or dampen the spirit of those who support the pastor. I could say the last 4 or 5 church activities could have been stopped or not started if I did not have the resolve and faith to lead the church to continue doing what I believe to be the good of the congregation. 

The church baptism was almost delayed due to rain but praise God it went ahead more than a month ago. The mission trip to a a family who live up a hill (or several hills) as we walked close to an hour in our first visit which I led. The second visit went ahead with double the number as I gave the encouragement to the youths to get out of their comfort zone and go share Christ with those in need. The pastor has led by example. In fast flowing river under the rain, we baptised three believers. Under the hot sun at 2pm we walked up the hill to look for lost sheep and the family with five children (from 3 to 14 years old; one boy and four girls) were only too happy to welcome us.