Elsa

January 01, 2018

Elsa

I've been wanting to write about Elsa for a long time, but I don't know how. There are just some things in life that feel like they deserve so much more than words can create, but it's worth painting a little something at least to share and preserve the story.

Elsa goes to my church, but she had to go back to her home country for about six months after Thanksgiving. It's not an easy place to live, especially for people who truly love Jesus the way she does, so I pray for her. And I really miss her. During this last year we made many good memories, since I kind of adopted her as my "church mom," whether she knew it or not. As I look back over the 2017 photo album of my mind, I remember...

Spiritual conversations and praying together as she served up some traditionally-brewed coffee or tea or even lunch after church or during the week, since she lived near my work.
Taking her to church events like a special Easter Communion, a women's prayer event, a church picnic, and part of an all-night prayer event. (She ended up spending the rest of the night at my place).
Enjoying traditional food and family at an Easter lunch and a birthday party for her two-year-old granddaughter. Her family and their friends are always happy to share their culture with me and even teach me a few words now and then.
Hearing stories of her life and how God has led and answered her prayers in so many ways, and her encouragement to keep praying and trusting Jesus in my own life.

I look forward to Elsa coming back this summer, but in the meantime I pray how she asked me to pray for her--that she can be a light for her friends and family there in her home, serving up her coffee and talking about Jesus. She promised to pray for me too, and I take a lot of comfort in that.