the church

 The last few weeks have included a LOT, alongside Matt being in Nigeria to teach a two week course at West Africa Theological Seminary. He just got back last night and is all kinds of jet lagged! Add in the loss of my mama's mama, and my brother relocating to southern Mississippi...it's just been one day at a time with Jesus.  Here's an update I shared on FB

Tonight in Nigeria, seven of these men stayed after teachings and services and meetings to have dinner with Matt Ayars. They are seven of the GMC pastors of Northern Nigeria…the persecuted church.

Nigeria is widely considered one of the most violent nations in the world for Christians, with thousands killed annually in targeted attacks, and an estimated 100,000 Christians killed since 2009, the year Lily was born.

He sent me today their seven pictures, one by one, with one liners of their stories. “Father murdered in front of him, jumped over his body to flee.” “Brother attacked in front of him with machete to his head.” “Kidnapped and left for dead” and “things I cannot tell you.”

I’ll meet these men and their flocks one day, "under the altar, the souls of those who had been slain because of the Word of God and the testimony they had maintained" Revelation 6 says.

But tonight Matt sacredly shared food and a table with them. Held their hands. Heard their stories. Asked his questions. Prayed with his hands on their shoulders. Encouraged them with all he could. Had no words when he finally called me before bed.

What an honor it is to be the Bride of Christ. I forget and complain of it instead.

What an honor to be the sister of these men and their wives and their churches. I do not carry them as I should. I do not mourn with them and pray with them and hurt with them as I should, remember them as I should.

I consider it suffering to have many kids dressed and out the door early in time for Sunday School, and do NOT cherish safe and loving Bible teaching as a rare priviledge! I consider it suffering to serve and show up when I don’t feel like it, and I forget that I GET to, at literal NO true cost.

I consider it suffering to single mom for two weeks, while I participate in Matt putting his hands and prayers and courage and Jesus-in-him upon men and women suffering death and fear and violence and horrors for the name of Jesus.

I am so honored and humbled for the intimate, loving, covenant relationship between Jesus Christ and the Church….the collective, global body of believers. We will finally worship together, soon, forever and ever. Until then. I must remember better.