I Have a Dream

One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. She said to her husband, "I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let's make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us." II Kings 4:8-10

Last night we took our dear friend, Dr/Pastor Mon Igbinosa, from Nigeria to dinner (wish I had remembered the camera!). I've posted before how dearly we cherish Pastor Mon. He is such a man of integrity and sets the bar high, which I like very much, especially in a "holy man of God!"

As we listened to him talk about his travels I thought how much he is like the Apostle Paul. He travels the world over preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ- all over Africa and the U.S., England, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Holland, wherever the door opens he goes. He gave us an overview of the church worldwide, which is a perspective that we don't often hear from our limited angle.

Last night he told our waitress, who happened to be in training, that he was from Africa. He asked if they had any elephant dishes and feigned disappointment that elephant was not on the menu. That's so funny because I know good and well that he doesn't see wild animals where he lives in Africa. The first lion he saw was at the North Carolina zoo! He just likes to tease people about their perception of Africa.

In my heart of hearts, I very much want to have a house someday soon that has a room where he can stay when he comes to the U.S. He told us last night that he travels so much that sometimes he wakes up and really has to think hard about where he is in the world! He meets lots of new people, sees lots of new places, and eats lots of strange food. I want to provide a comfortable place where he can let down his hair and just be with friends. Also, since his children are all grown up now his wife is going to travel with him more. While he may be used to living out of a suitcase, she most definitely is not, and I think it's important that she have a little oasis.

I share the Shunammite's dream of providing a room for the man of God. He is believing with me for it. Last night I fell asleep mentally decorating the room (in my new house!) for Pastor Mon and Josephine.