So this week I reconnected with an old acquaintance in Christ named Amalio. Only I don't think I was "in Christ" when we first met. You see, at the time we met I was just returning to faith in God after being an atheist for about 18 years.
I had a particularly difficult event happen in my life and through God's love and a series of "coincidental miracles" I experienced God reveal Himself to me in a way that was so strong that I would walk with Him the rest of my days - more on that part of my story later.
So, this guy Amalio...this crazy Christian guy came into my life back then, which was about three years ago. He was the contractor on one of my projects. (I'm a partner in a small architecture firm) On this job I had to go out to the jobsite 5 or 6 times to answer questions and help the guys with some of the drawings. I think it was the third or fourth time out that Amalio shared his faith with me by telling me some of the other things he was doing for God. At that time he was helping out on a ranch that acted as a retreat for underprivileged kids to go learn about God, learn to ride horses and, I even think I remember, something about bull riding. But one thing I'm certain I remember, was the fact that I wanted to see more of what God was doing through Amalio. But as usual during that time (and as happens often now), life got busy and I let this thought and Amalio drift away. I never did go out to that ranch.
Well lately I've really felt God calling me to step out more. To put into practice what He has taught me through scripture, sermons, classes, small group studies and leadership retreats. Starting this blog is just one of the steps I am taking and I will share more on all this as time goes by. (By the way ask me about time sometime, it's a subject that has been on my mind lately and is also part of God's nudging me to step out.)
Anyway I'm getting off-track, but that's just because this is my first post and there's so much to tell and so little time - kidding. There's just a lot of background info that I always feel is not only relevant but required. I'll try to trust God here and just tell my daily stories and know that all the pertinent info will work it's way in, if not only in my writing, but in any comments and conversations this blog generates. So back to Amalio...
He called me up at a moment when I am in the middle of being called to do more. He tells me he is working on a church renovation and that he has been shut down by the city inspectors because he does not have a permit and now he needs an architect to draw up some plans to get the permit. So he remembered me from 3 years ago and gave me a call.
I couldn't help but feel God at work here as Amalio told me his situation. Only I thought I was just supposed to help with a church design. So I went out to the jobsite to see what was going to be involved. The project was a renovation of an old warehouse and of course nothing was up to code. Amalio and his pastor walked me around showing me what they were doing. Amalio had to translate to the pastor as he didn't speak English, only Spanish. When I started telling him what the city would likely make them do to bring this whole thing up to code, that crazy Christian I remembered came back out. (Please note I say "crazy" here out of love) Amalio told me, "Brian, we're doing this thing all on faith. We know God's going to show up and whatever He wants for us He will provide. It's been amazing what He's already done here." I must have looked puzzled as I gazed across the unfinished 2x4 walls.
Well this part wasn't so crazy but what he was about to share was. I honestly don't think I'd be calling Amalio crazy out of love if God hadn't changed my life and my own heart so, I'd just be calling him crazy.
He went on to say that God's love had not only changed the members of this church in incredible ways but even the whistle-blower on the project was to become an integral part of this story. He told me a woman lived across the street and she would call in complaints to the police about the noise from the church services and events held there. Amalio told me this was crazy and that they weren't that loud, in fact he said once you got 10 feet away from the building you really couldn't hear anything. This woman who was complaining lived all the way across the street and back a few houses. So she calls the police again one night to complain and they arrive at her house. They think she's crazy because they can't hear a thing. "what are you talking about lady, you can't hear anything way over here" But the woman then asks them to follow her back into the house to her daughter's bedroom. Strangely once inside the bedroom you could hear perfectly what was happening in the church. Strange enough right?, well what I also heard was the fact that this woman's daughter who was 16 now, had some difficulties at birth and couldn't walk or speak. Due to her condition she wasn't able to communicate and was not open at all to having strangers in her room batting at them or crawling away. The police witnessed this as well as Amalio and members of the church. Amalio told me they immediately began to pray for this girl and her mother and by the time they left that night the girl had for the first time smiled and held the hands of strangers. God's love was definitely at work here!
Amalio told me after that, that they plan to continue to visit this girl and her mother and to continue their prayers for them and with them.
He told me, "Brian you see, even if we can't meet code and the city doesn't give us the permit it doesn't matter. God's already done so much here. Even if this isn't THE building that we willend up in, we will keep working to build God's church and spread His love!"
He also asked me to come share my story and testimony to his church and he would translate for me as the church is entirely hispanic. I'm not sure where this is going, but I do know that God has a plan for me to share my experiences and to help others see Him, for He is definitely at work all around us.
Thank you God for this opportunity, I am planning to sit in on one of their services next weekend!
