A word from Mary Ellen

On one of the bus rides into the city, I noticed a classy lady sitting across the bus from me. There was some conversation among some of our group and some other riders nearby. This lady was just looking toward the group and then away. I thought perhaps she was not pleased with the discussion, but I had opportunity to smile at her several times. As we exited the bus, she rushed over to me and hugged me, exclaiming how glad she was that we were here doing what we were doing to serve others. When she hugged me again, she kissed me on the cheek. I had a chance to talk with her for a few minutes as we walked toward the Skytrain. She asked me where we were going, and then said she was going the same way and would help us find the right station. On the train we had further conversation. I learned of some of the personal struggles in her life, of her spiritual journey and of her sense of survival through what she described as strength from the guardian angels that were always with her. She asked for my address and phone # so that she might be in touch with me, as she believed that I was one of those angels sent to encourage her. She caressed my cheek as she called me her angel. As we parted, she hugged again and this time kissed me on the mouth. I trust that the witness given to Rose, this beautiful lady of Italian descent, will be watered in the days ahead.
In orientation upon our arrival, we were told of the extremely low percentage of persons in Vancouver who profess to having a personal relationship with Jesus; however, we were also aware of the prayers for this city prior to the Olympics. One of the highlights of the trip has been the number of believers we have encountered. It just seems that a lot of the "few in number" of local believers in addition to "foreign" believers must have been directed into our paths. An example was the beautiful young woman with whom I chatted on the bus tonight. She immediately showed me her "More Than Gold" pin on her lapel which she had received earlier. As we talked about why we were here, she seemed encouraged. As my bus stop appeared suddenly and I began to say goodbye, she took my hand and said to me: "Thank you for coming because I love Him too!" We praise HIM because He has His people all over the world. Our prayer is that HIS family will greatly increase as He uses the ministry in His name here at the Winter Olympics of 2010.

Mary Ellen Hill