Introducing Monday (left) and Arli (centre). They live in Ocean View - one of the communities that All Nations has been spending time in over the past few years. Their respective stories are such an encouragement for me; a true testimony of the power and grace of God.
Monday: was Ocean View's biggest drug dealer. The All Nations team had been visiting him for a few years, and though he always welcomed us in his home and engaged in bible discussions, there was never any change in his lifestyle. Then, out of the blue, he came to the All Nations base looking for the people who had built the closest relationships with him. He had made a decision to stop dealing drugs and to change his whole life. To show the seriousness of his actions, he shaved his head and sold his car. He made a decision to get baptised and both he and his wife did so at the All Nations base in June this year. He is trying to support his family (wife and two small children) by starting a business selling meat. He leads small groups at his home on Sundays and we are so encouraged by his family. They are seeking God in everything they do.
Arli: was one of Monday's customers. His entire family were drug users but he made the decision to give it up. He has boldly preached the gospel in Ocean View, and welcomes people to come and study the bible with him. He has been such an awesome spokesman for God. Earlier in the year, he suffered a stroke and lost his speech as well as the functions of his entire left side. We prayed that he would recover completely especially since he used his voice to tell people about what the Lord has done for him. He has made a marvellous recovery, through the grace of God, and his speech is improving. He is still receiving therapy for this. Individuals at All Nations have been helping him where they can – driving him to the hospital for his therapy appointments, and helping to rebuild his home which was destroyed in a fire last year.
Monday and Arli encourage and support one another weekly by meeting and praying, and studying the bible together. This is such a sweet redemption story about the goodness and graciousness of God, and how He can achieve so much more than human effort ever could.
Nathan (second from left) is another man we have had the privilege of meeting in Ocean View. For the sake of his dignity, I will not share his entire background story but I can say that his life has been completely transformed since making a decision to follow Christ. After meeting with some of my team members in April/May this year, he wanted to become baptised. Since then, he has led a simple bible study in his home, teaching his family the things that God has been showing him. Recently, we heard that he has started another simple bible study: he stole away to the beach and started praying and worshipping one day. A couple, who had seen him, were interested in meeting him. They went back to the spot the next day to speak to him, and when they met up with him, they asked him if they could pray together. I pray that Nathan continues to seek and serve God because I have seen and heard of the complete transformation of his life. This is the heart of All Nations – to introduce people to Jesus Christ, to teach them to follow His ways, and allow His power to transform their lives.
All Nations' very own, Cedric and Sylvia and their lovely kids, Rovaldo and Chelsea. They joined All Nations last year after completing CPx in 2008. They are residents of Ocean View, and Cedric is now employed by All Nations full time. He is our main driver and oversees the transport needs of our international teams or visitors. Cedric and Sylvia are passionate about Jesus, and being part of a family/community that engages the poor and serves them. They have played a vital role in introducing us into Ocean View, showing us the ropes, and helping the overseas short term teams become oriented and familiar in those surroundings. Sylvia is an amazing cook and we often rely on her culinary skills to make our international visitors feel welcome. And in this way, Sylvia also earns some money.
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