Bible Study - Rain or Shine

Emily's house reminds us of our home in Nova Scotia as we can sit and look at the mighty expanse of ocean right at the back door of her home. But today is different as the peaceful rhythmic flow of ocean waves has been replaced by pounding walls of water left over from the most recent Typhoon.

I went to Emily's house to check on her after the Typhoon. As I entered, I was aware of the huge pile of half rotten, water soaked wood beside the house. The small bamboo home had survived but was missing half of the thatched roof and many floor boards had been torn up by the surging water of the South China Sea. An exhausted family had spent the night cuddling together in the one room farthest from the ocean, praying that their home would not be demolished or swept out to sea. Now, they were busy repairing their home together.

As we approach the next day, I cannot help but wonder how there can possibly be a Bible study in this decimated house. I look around in amazement to see that the big hole in the thatched roof has already been repaired and the giant tarp strung from rafter to rafter removed. The floor boards have been replaced with slats of bamboo scavenged from somewhere. Even as we gather in the small room I cannot help but be aware of the waves still crashing at the back door. From my seat I can see the water slipping under the carefully closed back door as each wave crashes against the little bamboo home. I wonder to myself how is this piecemeal structure able to continue withstanding the powerful ocean?

Despite the hardships and all the potential excuses for skipping the Bible Study, the house is full. We sing several songs and then Emily leads the group from verse to verse in the Bible teaching on Jesus' resurrection. Everyone follows carefully in their own Bibles as she draws each of us into the amazing story of He who conquered death. We look from person to person and see gleams of joy in their faces as they talk about their Jesus. Then Emily asks each one to tell how they personally know that Jesus is alive today.

There are tears in my eyes as each one tells their story of how they know Jesus is alive because their lives are so much better. They talk about Him comforting their hearts and giving them peace as the 200 Km per hour winds lashed their homes and the thundering waves swept through their homes over and over again throughout the night. You know from listening to them that this is not just a story in the Bible but that Jesus is an absolute reality in their lives every day.

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