One of the high points of our anniversary trip was to be able to see our friends Rosalia and Andre Bruere. We met when they moved to Mexico City and began attending our church. We were all amazed at Rosalia learning English so she could attend the church and the women's Bible study. She was born in Brazil of Italian parents and spoke Italian and Portugese and I think she had studied French as well. Bob and Andre met regularly for lunch while they lived in Mexico City. They both left a big hole when they moved to Italy for work and then to Paris.
After a week of being out everyday walking the streets of Paris or the halls of museums we were ready to spend a quiet day in their home. When friends move away, as happens so much in our "international" church home, it does our hearts good to get to see old friends in their new life and surroundings. It has not happened often, but when it does it somehow completes the cycle of saying goodbye, praying for them when they leave and as they get settled into a new place. So this day was such a comfort on many levels from enjoying Rosalia's delicious Brazilian lunch to seeing them so happily settled and the conversation, the catching up of the last four years. Hearing how God had met their needs and even given them the desires of their hearts was like medicine for our own. This photo is not only of their beautiful apartment but a testimony to God's granting Rosalia the desires of her heart. In the foreground you can see a painting, Rosalia's painting. She has a room for her studio in her new place and has been offered the opportunity for an exhibition of her work in the next six months. So like our God Who delights in parenting us that He saves these special gifts for just the right time in our lives. I can just imagine Him waiting for that time when He could give her this and thrill her and amaze her. That's just how He is. Like giving us this trip, something we never thought would be a possibility for us, but it is really true that He is able to do far beyond anything we can hope or even imagine.
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