Christian Super-friends

Dear friends,

I am not superman, but I do have super-friends. Over the past week and a half, both my wife and I were in the hospital. I went first and spent the night for tests. Jennifer was next. She stayed for three days. She had an emergency appendectomy. Meanwhile three beloved family members came in from out of town for a much anticipated vacation. Of course all our plans to show them around this great city were totally ruined. Thankfully they will be around until the end of the month.

But I am not writing to complain at all. In fact, I want to share something wonderful we experienced. Jesus said, “by this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Our family has been overwhelmed this week by the love of Christian friends. Our church family here in Jakarta and Christian people around the world have been praying for us. There have been so many acts of kindness that I simply could not list them all.

This has turned the bitter experience of “losing control” into a sweet blessing. I am reminded again of how much we need each other. None of us are superman. We cannot always go on our own. We need our brothers and sisters and it is a beautiful thing when they are there for us.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Pr. 17:17)

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder