Another Viewpoint by Jim Viers. March 30, 2001.

A JOURNEY OF PRAYER

Two months away from home may not seem like a lot of time and in the overall scheme of life it passes very quickly. But as the timedrew near for me to return to the states I was both happy and sad. Happy to be seeing friends and family once more, but sad atthe same time to be leaving those who I have learned to love in Mexico. Embracing, kisses, tears being shed and prayers.

My wife and son left early this past Friday to meet my returning flight at Louisville, Ky. On the way they stopped by to visit with my wife's brother. This was an emotional time for her as it was the first visit for her since her mother passed away over a year ago. She began to cry as they approached the Florance exit that she had taken for so many years, when she visited with her mother.

Out three year old grandson, who was also with the family, sensed his mama's distress. He enquired into the reason for her tears. My wife explained as best she could to a three year old why she was crying. Of course no one would expect one as young as he to grasp the concept of what his mamma was feeling. What could he know of such sadness and surely he could not have any answer that could possible meet my wife's need. But …. from the mouths of babes …….

Three year old Jonathan did indeed understand. He had the answer that could not be improved upon by those many times his tender years. " Let's pray about it," he said And with the deftness of an angel he instructed all in the car to hold hands and required each in turn to pray for his mamma and the sadness that lay heavy on her heart. With such prayers I can understand better the blessings of God on me, the family and the work of the Lord in Mexico.

You see, the Lord promised his followers that if they would pray in His name, the Father would hear and answer their prayers. At about the same time that Jonathan, my grandson, was guiding the family in a prayer meeting in Florence, Ky., I was involved in a prayer meeting on the streets of Salvatierra. We also shed tears and said our farewells one more time.

Actually this entire journey of two months in Mexico from beginning to end was a journey of prayer. We prayed for God's protection before we left. We prayed in the churches. We prayed in the houses. We prayed at mealtimes. We prayed in the morning. We prayed at noon. We prayed by candle light. We prayed in the darkness. The brethren in Mexico prayed for those in the states. The brethren here prayed for those in Mexico. How could this trip not have been successful with so many prayers, prayed by so many. No wonder I could feel the presence of the Lord and feel his working as each day passed. Maybe we all ought to leave home for a while. It might do us all good to get out of our comfortable environment, in which we take for granted so many blessings all of our life that we forget to talk to the one who watches over us day and night.

Life itself is a journey fraught with dangers and troubles. As my grandson said, "let's pray about it." Our lives would be far better if we would not forget to talk to the one who made the heavens and the earth and all that in them is. We have not because we ask not.

The door closed on the plane and the engines roared as I was forced back into my seat. The plane with a lurch left the ground and soon the Mexico faded from beneath me. Within a few hours we were landing in Atlanta. As the door opened I stepped into another world. I was home. Good ole' USA.

But in reality God has prepared us a much better home. It is for this home that I strive. As Solomon says, " and man goeth to his long Home" Someday our Lord will return for those who follow him. At that time all fear shall vanish and we shall be caught up by the angels to be for every more in the Holy City, the New Jerusalem.

I pray that this series of articles on my trip to Mexico has been a blessing to those who have read them. I appreciate the Dickenson Star for carrying this series of articles. May the good Lord bless us everyone.
E-mail - jviers@hillbillypreacher.net. Icq _ 18455044