Timing Perfect

It is my hope that an experience I had on Sunday will illustrate one of the beliefs I hold close; a belief which in many ways guides my steps.  I want to begin by fast-forwarding to the present and giving no notes on the countless things that had to transpire just-so in order that I would be here at this very place in this very time.  My church in Fushekruje had about 10 people in attendance on my first visit in April.  One of those people was Fatjon, a person who spoke more English than anyone else.  He and I fostered a friendship and I eventually met his family in early June.  Soon after, his father came to work for us on the church project.

Sajmir came to his first church service back in mid July for the sake of honoring me.  I remember at the end of the service while a group of us were standing around talking, Sajmir came up to me and asked if he was free to leave.  I wondered if he would visit the church again or if he had only come as a way to check something off of a list of things he “had” to do.

Sajmir has come a few more times to share fellowship and to listen to a word from the pastor.  Two weeks ago he came with his entire family.  We had many visitors that day; attending church was the only way to receive free school books from us.  After the service Sajmir met the Plagenhoefs.  Pastor Kurt expressed his pleasure at how work on the church project was progressing, and Sajmir extended an invitation to join him in his home for coffee.  Coffee with Sajmir would have to wait until another day and part of me wondered if the invitation would be forgotten.  Often times an invitation such as this is merely a courtesy and, once kindly refused, is never offered again.

The next time I saw Sajmir, he asked me if Pastor Kurt had mentioned a time to come for a visit.  He asked me again the next time we saw each other, and Fatjon would ask me too.  I made a special request that we all make a visit last week while the Plagenhoefs were in Fushekruje on other business, but that did not work out.  Yesterday we were finally able to make time, and I couldn’t have asked for a better composed delegation than the one we had on hand.  Ervis and I had been to Sajmir’s before.  Also were Pastor Kurt, Pastor Alban, and Pastor Alban’s father; a man who had never been to the church in Fushekruje before yesterday.  

Sajmir’s receiving room had as many guests as he had seats.  We stayed long enough to enjoy two courses of refreshments and try two of the sweet foods his wife had made out of figs from the trees in their yard.  Alban’s father told many jokes and funny stories, none of which I could understand fully.  The mood was lite and joyful.  As we were preparing to leave, saying our goodbyes and well-wishes, I made eye contact with Sajmir.  I have never seen him so happy before.  All of the anxiety I had had quit me in that moment.  I was reminded once again of how good the care of God is and how richly prepared our lives are for us.  Thanks be to God.