Last week in Atlanta, we experienced our first frost of the year. I know, many are thinking, “Wow, we’ve already had weeks of snow!” But last week’s weather reminded me of a special event in our life about 4 years ago.
In early 2007, the ladies of Byron Baptist Church contacted us with a question of how they could bless us as their missionaries. Some churches sent things in the mail that we passed on to our Russian colleagues or new believers. Others prayed intensely for our ministry. We appreciated each effort our supporting churches made to be a blessing to us. Unfortunately, Leslie and I had already experienced the disappointment on numerous occasions when churches sent care packages to Russia. Some packages made it; some came with things missing.We even had one package of little cards written by children in a Sunday School class, but the package arrived 8 months late. That church was so surprised when we finally contacted them to acknowledge receipt; I guess they figured we had just not cared to send our thanks. So, when Byron Baptist asked what they could send, I quickly said, “Don’t send anything; just please pray for us.”
But the ladies were persistent about wanting to do something for us, so I began to think about what could be done. Outside our St. Petersburg apartment a heavy blanket of new snow laid on the ground. I watched shivering Russian children walking to school, and my mind somehow envisioned a warm blanket of God’s love covering the people I saw. At that point, I quickly went to my computer to type our answer to Byron Baptist Church: Would you make us a quilt, a blanket that will represent your love for us and God’s love for the nations? Some might think this was an audacious request, but I really felt like it was the right response.
Only later during the summer of 2007 did I find out the other side to this story. Byron Baptist Church women received our response with shock. Not one among them knew how to quilt.
But with an attitude that can only be described as faithfulness and joy, they brought in an outside consultant to explain the process, and they mobilized their ladies to begin work.
Slowly at first, the work began as the ladies listened intently to what should be done.
Some youth also participated in the design and stitching.
We arrived for our summer stateside assignment in
Georgia In June, and Byron Baptist Church requested I come to preach. After the service we were presented with the most beautiful quilt I’ve ever seen in my life.
On the reverse side of the quilt, prayers were written out with signatures of those who labored to produce this masterpiece.
The quilt is still the centerpiece of our bedroom, and each morning we awaken to pull back the cover and read the faithful messages of those
who wanted us covered in prayer and warmth. My prayer for the nations today is that, through the labor of His church, the Lord would gently lay His quilt of grace and salvation.
