The following was written last weekend- June 25th. It is always interested to see God weave together the details:
Oscar is a soft-spoken man in his sixties who has been in several of the classes that Stephen teaches at the local seminary. He loves to learn about the Word of God as much as Stephen loves to teach about the Word of God. His relationship with God is one that many of us would envy.
In one of his first classes, Stephen had his students share their testimonies. They took turns sharing of God’s grace and experience in their lives.
Oscar’s story went back 40 years or so. When he was in his teens, he would visit his friends in a different area of town and these friends had a old neighbor lady.
One day when he went to go visit his friends, they were not home. He noticed that the neighbor lady was not home either. In what was characteristic of him at the time, he broke into the ladies house stealing several things. Under a stack of towels he found a very nice Bible, which he also stole.
Over the next several months, he read the Bible, and with time the conviction came that he was a sinner in need of the grace that he was reading about.
This experience radically changed him! Although shame kept him from going back and asking forgiveness, he is forever grateful for the “donation” she made to his changed life.
In class, when Stephen calls him “The Bible Thief” a big, knowing smile spreads across his face. Something that was evil, God meant it for good.
Recently, Oscar, the Bible Thief, has been missing class. He suffered a mild heart attack about two weeks ago, and has not felt up to coming to class since then. Every week he is hopeful to return because he is hungry to learn. Please pray for Oscars recovery.
The Update- July 2:
Yesterday, Stephen was involved in a car accident when he was taking some of his seminary students home. A moto-taxi hit our truck and flipped over with a passenger in it. Accidents here are a scary thing for all involved because fair is not always the objective. There are a lot of unknowns and feelings of vulnerability as an outsider.
During the 10 hour process after the accident, which involved visiting the police department, lawyers office, and hospital, all with negotiations that involve time and money, Stephen had some faithful support:
Daniel, a faithful friend who was with him the whole time, who changed his plans and negotiated many details.
Jordy, a friend and teammate to came to the rescue as a lawyer and voice of reason.
Our teammates who gave prayer and encouragement.
Two of Stephen’s students who came to our house to pray with me because they knew I would be “triste y asustado” (sad and scared).
And finally, a 60-something Bible thief named Oscar who was committed to stay with Stephen as support and a prayer warrior through the whole ordeal.