I just got back from one of those massive Lord's Day lunches in Chinatown, where almost the entire meeting ends up at a Chinese restaurant after the meeting.
The funny thing is, today was really an Alpha-Omega day. (We've begun to talk in brother Chris terms: 'Beginning and End, Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last...') because:
1) The first time I went out for food with Chih was at this place called Misato, and we went there again today! And since I'm going home on Thursday, these will be the last days of our living together! It's been great living with Chih. Her spontaneity offsets my un-spontanetiness and she's super-practical whereas I'm not. Just more evidence of the Lord's best arrangement.
2) My first Lord's Table in District 4 was when I was visiting from Russia in 2006. Afterwards we went to Chinatown too and sat around at a table with the saints. This year, there were so many more saints, and everyone seems more connected and affectionate. And I was considering today at the meeting, I've seen the Lord going on here in Central London. The saints are becoming more constituted with the truth, the prophesying and the prayer at the Lord's Table are getting richer and more saints are coming into function. It's such a privilege to witness the Lord's move in Europe.
3) Today was Sonia's last Lord's Day in London because she's going home this week. I remember Sonia from years ago when she was a new one and came to study for one year at UCLA. She was a pattern then in contacting people, and continues to be one today. I'm so thankful she was here at LSE this year, and I'm thankful that she asked me to meet her friend Anna with her. Anna's originally from Russia, so I immediately connected with her because I always want to practice Russian with Russian people. Even though Sonia and I don't see each other that much in the week, everytime we come together, her fellowship is always so helpful and supplying. I'm realizing that the Lord is very sovereign in His placing of people in the Body. From LA to London, we've been in the church life together. I'll miss her portion, but I'm encouraged that I'm a member with her in the Body.
4) Since I'm leaving on Thursday to go home, this was kind of a day of 'goodbyes' for me too, since I won't be back until September probably, and the two couples - Sotaro and Gloria (Elena and Jonah) and Ti-chen and Cathy (William and Jennifer) - will have gone back by then. Their coming last August/Sept was another wonderful thing the Lord did. I remember, one of the first Lord's Days they were here, me, Chih, and another sister went with them and Mahek and Davina to Regents' Park and we had a picnic and we played with the kids. Their coming strengthened the church here, and was even an answer to one of my prayers. I kept feeling like I needed to learn Chinese and Cathy, one week while we were talking, offered to help me, since she was always at home and would welcome the diversion. And the amazing thing is - we were working on translating these documents that I and my parents got from Taiwan this winter, and the last time I saw her - we finished the hand-copied ones! This is even when I wasn't so faithful or diligent, but she would remind me and then I'd go. The Lord's timing is really so good. Also, I feel like it was the Lord bringing them both here this year because their kids needed each other and the children's meeting needed their children. These children really had a function in D4. There began to be a children's meeting coordination and now the meeting is being built up. Also, them having each other made them happy to come to the meeting. The Lord's arrangement really is sooooo good.
4) Last year, around this time, I was sad because I thought - everyone's leaving - the Battens, the Coxes, no full-time trainees, etc. - how are we supposed to go on? But the Lord really provided above all that we ask or think! We got so many good saints this year. Instead of going back, the Lord has really advanced! Hallelujah! Our God is always advancing. He never stops! And He continues to do great things for us! We are joyful!
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