We’ve now spent a week in the Vancouver area, meeting with churches, missionaries, missions supporters, and other faithful followers of Jesus Christ (it’s been a very full week). As our family has gazed at the mountains during the drives from Abbotsford to Vancouver and back and from the patio of our gracious host family home, we couldn’t help but to be in awe.
In the midst of enjoying God’s handiwork surrounding this region full of beautiful views of mountains, bays, and lakes, we are also surrounded by people who do not even acknowledge the existence of a Creator. We’ve heard some discouraging labels and statistics that “British Columbia is the least religious province in Canada” or that “less than 2% of Vancouver’s population consider themselves religious.”
Much as the prophet Elijah was encouraged by God when he thought he was alone in proclaiming and honouring the Lord, we’ve had the privilege of meeting some of God’s remnant in this city.
1 Kings 19:18 ”Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
These precious brothers and sisters see with spiritual eyes that the Lord has brought the nations to Canada, into our neighbourhoods. They not only see but have sought God’s guidance in loving these people (exchange students from Japan and China, refugees from Syria, immigrants from India, secular Canadians, and so much more) with the love of Christ that they too may become our brothers and sisters. Despite the discouragement of seeing so many lost souls, what an encouragement it has been to share intimately and pray with the remnant God has set apart for His purpose!
Lauren
AKorDian 