GEMS OF GEORGIA
There are times when the Lord allows you to see a glimpse of the BIG PICTURE (which is His plan) through small happening. Moments like this are precious - they can carry you through the challenging times...
On a warm lovely evening in Tbilisi, Georgia our team gathered by the van loaded with boxes of Bibles. Each team member picked as many as they could carry in both arms, then we dispersed in different directions. We were armed with two important words in Georgian language - "Bible", "for free" as we handed out the books.
This breathtakingly beautiful little known nation has suffered much from the political and economic upheavals in the recent years. Though Georgia as a nation has converted to Christianity in the 4th century under the decree from the king, very few Georgians today know Christ as the personal Lord and Savior. But after the years of hardship and struggle the hearts of the people there are so hungry for God!
A short road worker in a bright orange vest with a face darkened and shrunk by the long hours in the sun and wind came up to us. He had already received the Bible and was clutching it to his chest. He was very agitated, waving with his free hand, and we wondered if he came back to cause problems or argue.
He pulled on my sleeve and looked me intently in the eyes. "Why are you doing this?" he asked. "We want you to know that Jesus loves you". Suddenly tears welled up in his eyes: "This is the best gift anyone has ever given me". He asked for our permission to take a stack of remaining Bibles and we saw him across the street giving them to his crew while talking rapidly and pointing fingers towards our van.
Pastor Tollie Sutterfield and the road worker
There was the entire Great Commission wrapped in this small moment - someone shared the love of Jesus, another received it, and then ran to his people and shared with them. Somehow it confirmed that all the seeds that we planted during this trip - giving out gifts and Bibles in the orphanages, praying and loving on the widows and elderly in the nursing homes, preaching in the churches and encouraging the believers - were going to produce an abundant harvest in due time. The Lord's love will shine upon the nation of Georgia and there will be peace and prosperity as they turn to Him - this time not by the king's decree but from the depths of their hearts.
Anointed worship at the church in Rustavi lead by Rada Kakubava
