Covenant Church

Yesterday afforded an opportunity to spend time with an exceptional missionary, Philip Timoti, the son of Narayan Paul. Narayan Paul has been a part of the heart of Covenant for more than 20 years, having preached in our pulpit, spoken to small groups, and stayed in our homes.

Narayan was  a pioneer missionary who gave up wealth to dedicate his life to reaching a primitive tribe. In his 12^th year of journeying into the jungle villages he won his first convert. By the time he died he had established an orphanage, a hospital, and gathered and developed some 50 missionaries. Perhaps as many as 12,000 of the tribals had converted from Animism to Christ!

Laila and I were hosted in India for a campmeeting with the tribals. Several thousand persons gathered for 3 days. Monoj Mahonty and P.R. Misra helped to make arrangements for transportation. Timoti was our host in the temporary camp. It was one of the most incredible missionary experiences that Laila and I have ever ventured.

A round grass hut had been built for us in the middle of the camp. A cross protruded into the sky from the conical top. Seventy-two men were guards stationed in circles  two miles out from the camp to warn in the event militant Hindus came to attack—a couple of years later they burned an entire camp. I preached mornings, taught afternoons, and preached night services. The last day about 250 persons were baptized in water in confession of faith in Jesus Christ.

Timoti was the manager of the camp. His outstanding managerial ability deeply impressed me. We bonded---a bond which has held. We have maintained contact with the hope of Timoti coming for a visit and staying in our home.  A friend and I traveled to Northern Virginia last night to bring Timoti back to Charlottesville. He is in our home as I write this letter.

Over the weekend Timoti was with Jack Vrentas, who lives near D.C.  Jack is a Greek, 82 years of age. Jack understands what should be the common message of the Body of Christ: Missionaries cannot go if they are not sent. Missionaries have families. Missionaries are people. Missionaries need food, clothes, and sustenance. If they will go preach the gospel, they need someone to help send them. They need someone to provide for their personal needs---their family, and they need support to travel and help to provide resources and training for ministry.

Jack lives in a nice neighborhood. His wife died 10 years after marriage. Subsequent marriage did not work. Jack lives alone. I rang the doorbell. Jack opened the door. When he did strips of paper fell from the opening. He had stuffed paper to seal any air leak. He only uses the garage door.

Inside the front door I looked to the right in what would be the sitting room. No furniture. I looked into the next room in what would be the dining room. No furniture. I looked into the kitchen. Austere. I looked into the family room…only a carpeted floor with a small round table and 3 odd chairs with make-shift pads. No other furniture.  The office has no furniture, just stacks of books Jack gathers to provide free resources for refugees who are learning how to follow Christ.

Jack is talking. I ask Jack where his furniture is. He explains that he has given it away to help refugees. He is bubbling. He insists that Timoti, my friend and I sit down in the three chairs. There is no chair for Jack. He stands. He is talking gracious talk, excited talk about his joy to see the son of Narayan Paul. He is sharing stories of his daily work with the poor and how he promotes missionary support.

He kneels and takes my hand to apologize for not sending a letter to me about his happiness for the ministry of Covenant Church. It is too humbling. I am in the home of a PRINCE who is kneeling before me.

Oh that the Lord would multiply the number of Jack Vrentas’s. Oh that the Lord would send charity to the hearts of more people. Oh that the Lord would divide the spirit of this Prince to inspire others to care and share to support and send missionaries.

So, I ask you. Will you join with me in prayer that the Lord will help us to think in our shopping to be more restrained? Can we think of missionaries when we are in a mall or restaurant? Can we think of missionaries when we are considering changing furniture because of a color? Can we think of missionaries when we want to trade cars because we are bored?

I do not think any king in a palace is more happy than Jack Vrentas in his Spartanly furnished home filled with a thousand thoughts and memories of sharing his worldly goods to make sure others know about the joy of being a Christian.

Much love,

Pastor Bare

I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth [Ecclesiastes 10:7].