T
his week started off gloriously with a highly successful conference on The Tabernacle in the Wilderness. Over 225 pastors and church leaders attended. The day left us excited and anxious to prepare for the next conference on Thursday….
But God had other plans!
Not long after leaving the conference, Sal began to complain about not feeling well. By the next day he was quite ill and was taken to the ER. After some labs and tests, it was determined that the UTI that he was treated for in the United States had returned with a vengeance. The bacterial strain is one of the strongest there is and if left untreated could lead to death. He was admitted to the hospital where he is receiving three IV doses a day for seven days of an extremely strong antibiotic. The doctor feels there is no other option to fight the infection.
Our busiest week of conferences was to happen next week…. But God had other plans. We came here to serve and now we are the ones being served. In just the past two days at least 18 area pastors have visited Sal, prayed with him and encouraged him. We are humbled by the outpouring of love that has been extended to us. Our coordinator, Viju, is with Sal day and night as his caretaker, while his wife, Ammu, looks after Elena. We are so grateful for their Christlike kindness and care.
It would be easy at this point to ask God why. Surely our ministry is valuable. Surely it bears fruit. Surely sound Biblical teaching is sorely needed….But God had other plans. His ways are not our ways. His ways are far superior to human ways. So we are faced with a great challenge to trust Him in this unexpected interruption of our plans.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
- Please pray that Sal is completely healed from this infection and that he will regain his strength quickly. He is already feeling better but must stay the course and finish the prescribed infusions.
- We have cancelled all four conferences for next week in the hopes that Sal will be able to resume by January 20. Please pray for the hosting churches that have to now cancel plans. There are an estimated 800 people registered to attend.
- Pray for spiritual protection for Sal, Elena, Viju and Ammu.