May 2018

What can I express in these blogs that I’m not reporting in the monthly ministry newsletter?  I've been wrestling with that question.  Perhaps the answer is wrapped up in the word "express."  The blog is more for expressing...for sharing reflections.  The newsletter is focused on reporting.  So, I'm coming to you in "Cathy's Ministry Adventures" - pondering and sharing what I'm learning from the Lord.  By the way, do you receive the monthly Jewish ministry update? Do you wish to receive it via Email? Please let me know – cwilson@chosenpeople.com

In the April 2018 newsletter, I had mentioned that I found myself consistently relaying, “that’s a whole ‘nother story,” during the Passover Seders and one-on-one visits with Jewish people in March.  Most likely I’ve used this phrase throughout the years.  “That’s a whole ‘nother story.”  What does that mean?  Those words are essentially telling people, “I have a connected anecdote to what I just shared, but I don’t have time at this moment.”  How sad regarding limited minutes.  Yet, in stating such, I’m expressing confidence that our paths will cross again in the future.  “That’s a whole ‘nother story for a whole ‘nother time…when we meet again.”  And so, more times than not, the newsletters contain snippets of the lives of people that will lead to “a whole ‘nother story” as I truly believe, individually, their saga hasn’t ended.  And so, case in point…

…last week, due to an early appointment close to a retirement community where we visit and teach weekly Bible studies, I arrived thinking that perhaps the residents might not yet be up and about.  But life is happening at this center.  The parking lot was already PACKED!  It’s always full to overflowing.  There are many stories within the walls at this location.  I prayed for the visits that I knew God had prepared for me.  I entered the lobby several hours earlier than usual.  Additional hours to spend more time with the residents…to hear their “whole ‘nother stories”…to sit with them longer…to listen to them…to ask them more questions about their lives…to spend more time listening and getting to better know them.  I entered the lobby and proceeded no farther than five feet.  My friend sat in the front bistro area with her sister.  Gloria, who is Jewish, attends our Bible study.  Her sister was visiting from NYC.  What a lovely conversation God gave us.  Gloria’s sister, a practicing Jewish woman, told me that when she lived in the Bronx (my birthplace), she lived on Vyse Avenue.  My grandparents lived on Vyse Avenue!  There were additional connections between us as we conversed – a “whole ‘nother story” for later, I pray!  I proceeded down the hallway to visit my Holocaust survivor friend, Pearl.  We talked about the most recent Jewish feast, “The Feast of Weeks” (Lev. 23:15-21).  Before she experienced a medical challenge, she said concerning the holiday, “You always know these things.”  Pearl has been considering Jesus Who fulfills the feasts God gave to Israel.  Please pray for her.  On the way out the door of Pearl’s apartment, I talked a bit to her Caregiver.  Talking “a bit” lasted over an hour.  Walls that had surfaced in the past regarding God, crumbled!  We shared our “’nother stories” which led to her conveying her “religious” background and speaking about God, and my asking questions…thus providing more understanding on my part for future visits.  I truly believe we’ll continue sharing when I again knock on Pearl’s door.  Moving along, I parked myself in the coffee room to eat lunch.  An employee, who for several years has not responded to my greetings to him when I pass him along the way, approached me and we visited for 20 minutes!  It was time to teach the Bible study.  Our new Jewish friend, Daniel, who railed at God a month ago while we were reading and discussing I Samuel at the study, joined us and asked insightful questions about God, about Jesus, and spoke positively of the praise song we sang at the outset!  AND, Daniel took notes!   God has been allowing our paths to cross.  We have been meeting Daniel in the hallways quite regularly and spending time getting to know him.  At the conclusion of the most recent study, Daniel told us, “This Bible study, out of all my activities, means the most to me.”  God has been using sharing “whole ‘nother stories” for His glory!

Much joy in Him,