Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Living Hope in Tent City

We worshipped in the finished church building in Tent City for the first time this past Sunday, that is, in the Tent City Living Hope Reformed Church. The national pastor, Pastor Raymond, led the service and preached about the life we have that is only found in God's Word and in Jesus Christ!

The small congregation there has been through some hardships lately. Satan has worked hard to bring division, and some of the leaders have fallen for his temptations—causing the power of money and the power of the flesh to reek havoc on the small, tenuous group of believers. As we sat under the newly erected building, we couldn’t help but pray that God would now build up the members of the church to be “mature and complete, not lacking in anything.” That He would break down the walls of anger and resentment and bring forth forgiveness and renewal in their relationships with one another, “forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave [them].” That we will see the congregation grow---in number, yes, but even more importantly that each member will grow in their love for the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word.


Some of you may be wondering about the name Tent City…this is the official name for the area, which is about 10 kms outside of Lae. A suburb, if you like, of Lae. It is said that it got its name when people whose original land was damaged by flooding, settled there temporarily, and lived in dwellings much like tents. There are no tents there today, but the name has stuck, maybe because the permanency of most homes is dubious at best.

4 comments:

Allan and Alice Buist/Plug said...

We're praying right along with you! Thanks for the update. We love you all!

Allan and Alice Buist/Plug said...

The bottom picture reminds me of the chapel at Campfire!

Brad Alkema said...

Hi Ian and Nadia:

We have been following your stories with great interest - and you are always in our prayers!! God bless...

Brad and Deb Alkema and family

Carina said...

Campfire! I had the same thoughts!

Thanks for the updates, my prayers and thoughts are with you - may He the giver of all we have need of, continue to sustain you...

in His grip!

carina