[watch Him work]

A pastor once mentioned that God hasn't developed laryngitis. He meant God hasn't stopped speaking in loud and real and clear ways even though we accuse Him of this all the time, and working in international ministry keeps me reminded that He has not stopped moving in powerful ways either. Today was one more awesome example.

A new international attended worship at Memorial. We didn't get to visit much beforehand, but afterwards I learned that he was a Christian from southern India. And then I found out that he's a native Tamil speaker - the same language of a woman who has become a good friend this last year. A woman I have been studying the Bible with lately despite many language struggles. A Hindu friend, yes, but one who reads a Psalm every day in the Tamil Bible we were able to give to her, and one who has a lot of questions about Jesus. Insert new Indian friend as interpreter or even leader? I think so.

That wasn't the end of the story though. Ten minutes later I was getting ready to leave and passed by him looking at the bulletin board with pictures and updates from our agricultural missionary in Ethiopia. Included on the board was a list of needs and prices to fulfill each one - support a missionary $50/month; build a new well $135; etc.

He pointed at the list and said, "I'd like to support a missionary. I'd also like to pay for a well. How do I do this and support God's work?" With that he pulled out two crisp $100 bills and asked what he should do with them. We went to the office together and handed the money to one of our pastors. Then on his way out he said something even more humbling.

"I did not know there were such pious Christians in America but you are doing great work," he told me. "We need Jesus in India because you know, ninety-eight percent of people are Hindu. It is great to hear about God's work you are doing. May He bless you." With that, he turned and took off back to campus leaving me speechless.

I'm not sure what he meant by pious. And I'm not sure I'd call myself or American Christians pious necessarily. But I think he meant it in a positive way from his actions and other words.

More than that, though, it reminded me once again that God has not developed laryngitis. And He hasn't stopped working in ways only He can work. Today proves it. He's bigger than Sunday School curriculum and English programs and international dinners and building wells and all the different schemes we've come up with to try and "do God's work". I have full confidence that He will get the glory due His name, and I am incredibly humbled watching Him work.