at the well.

We took eight adults and eleven kids to church with us yesterday.

!!!!

That’s twenty-one of us total, making up nearly half of the church. That’s also an incredible ratio of adult participation in our little community. That’s nineteen of our dearest friends choosing to join us at church!

______________

As I sat in the service, I wondered what brought them here.

We’ve been living in this community for nearly six years. We open our doors day after day and pray for them. We’ve fallen in love with them and hope with all we are they will know Jesus in a way that makes them want to move around the world for it.

And yet, honestly, I really thought we were planters. I thought we were waterers. I thought we were here to give it everything we’ve got, but–isn’t it horrible, though?–I didn’t really expect to see anything.

Even hoping for something in eternity felt like a big, faith-sized hope; let alone to see it before our eyes?

So while I sat in church, I wondered what brought us all here. Honestly, I wondered if there were ulterior motives–the meal afterward, for instance. I thought of others: what are they after?

…Being raised in Buddhism and surrounded by it, is it possible they really are interested in Jesus?

{I’m sure you’re reading this and wondering why I’m the one living in this community. I’ve asked, am asking, and will continue to ask the same thing.}

To be honest, I don’t know why they came. I don’t know why one family has come every week for a month. I don’t know why one of our bread bakers just decided to come this week; and I don’t know if she’ll come again. When I tell the kids they can’t play during the service, I don’t know why they come back.

But they do.

I envisioned it like the woman at the well: they just keep coming to the well. I’m not sure if they actually came to meet Jesus, or maybe for another need or want. She came for water and found so much more. And whatever they came for, may they find so much more.

If they came for food, let them find the Bread of Life.
If they came thirsty, let them find the Living Water.
If they came in need, let them meet their Jehovah Jireh.
Let them encounter someone that knows all their messes and still welcomes them with open arms.
Let them find so much more than they ever expected.