It's All About The One

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I organized a team of 15 traveling to Sandy Lake, Ontario, Canada to do a Vacation Bible School, outreach and special services at the Native Reserve there. The drive is 1425 miles to Red Lake, Ontario, Canada and 300 miles by plane from there.

Arriving in Red Lake in time for our flight, I was informed that our plane had gone "mechanical,” meaning "IT BROKE!” A smaller plane was available, but it could manage only about 7 of the team. It seemed as though the decision had been made for us.

After prayer, I sent half the team on to Sandy Lake on the smaller plane and got a hotel for the rest of us. That afternoon we drove over to the lake for a picnic and some swimming. The water is very cold and not too many went in, but everyone was having fun.

I watched as an Indian walked around the lake towards our bus. Once within earshot he called out, "Pastor?" Puzzled I swung around answering, "Yes, may I help you?" "You don't remember me do you,” he asked quizzically. Still perplexed I answered, "No, I don't!" "It was 3 years ago you lead my wife and I to the Lord at a tent meeting on the reserve,“ he explained. He went on to tell the story of their conversion, their move to Winnipeg, Manitoba, how they had walked away from God, and their subsequent return to this area.

He continued, "Last week my wife and I decided that we needed help! We knelt down in the kitchen and prayed for God to send you back into our lives and here you are!" I was dumbfounded, I could say nothing but wonder at the hand of God working in our lives. Later that evening I dropped off the team at the hotel, taking a young brother with me to visit the couple and, there in their kitchen, they renewed their commitment to Jesus.

One week later my wife, daughter and I flew out of the reserve early to prepare the bus for the home trip. While in a diner a young man entered, walked to my table and greeted us. It was a former pastor, who had fallen into sin. I greeted him and asked what he was doing here, I thought that he was in Manitoba. His answer shocked me. "I was, but I felt as though I had to fly to Red Lake this morning, I don't know why. Then as I walked down the street I saw the Ohio plates on the bus and knew that you were here."

I queried, "What can I do for you?" His answer brought tears to my eyes, "I need to talk to you about my soul!"

1425 miles, a broken plane, delays in my schedule all for the ONE person that God would have me touch. One at the lake, one in the diner.

It is all about the one.

When Christ hung on the cross it was about one.

Lord, give me the willingness to go to the one!