A Sovereign God

The term Sovereign as it relates to God simply means that He is in control. We have all seen evidence of the same, but Monday, November 27, was a special proof of this fact. First, I must back up to give you an idea of the events that went into the circumstances I will later relate.

On Thursday, November 16, I received a call that Nelson (husband of one of our church members) had suffered a stroke. The following day, he was transferred 2 hours away to the Medical Center in Rio Piedras, PR. We made several visits to be with the family and try to speak to Nelson. Last Sunday (11/26) I had planned to travel to the hospital, but circumstances prevented the journey. So Monday became the fall-back plan.

At 4:00 PM on Monday (11/27) I set off with Efrain on our elders. We arrived ahead of visiting hours, but I was allowed to enter. In the Emergency Room, I encountered a patient who said he was from Ponce and was looking for a ride. I told him to check with his doctor, and that I would take him to Ponce if the doctor agreed.

Nelson was sleeping (sedated), but I read Scripture to him and prayed. Then several other patients asked me to pray with them. I was able to share the Gospel with several of them. About and hour and one-half later, Rafael was released and began our return to Ponce. Efrain and I had opportunity to discuss salvation and many other spiritual issues. He claimed to know the Lord, but has not been living as he should. In fact, he has been fighting drug addiction. We tried to help him see his need to gain full victory over this sin by finding full satisfaction in Christ.

We took Rafael to a rescue mission for addicts, but the director was not available to permit his entry. Rafael told us he had a sister that might give him lodging for one night, so we headed in that direction. No one was home, but a neighbor said he thought that his sister was in her daughter's apartment nearby. He went to the door only to be informed that his sister had died that morning. He was able to be on hand for the viewing and even got transportation to another mission in another town where he had left his documentation.

How great is the sovereingty of our God! He placed us where we needed to be and allowed us to minister to souls in need. Pray for Rafael's full victory over addiction. Pray that if he truly knows the Lord, his life will prove the fact dramatically.