(Going to an International Bible Conference)

This is the French way of saying: ”How are you doing?”  which I used broadly during my visit to a Christian fellowship in Bergerac, France, April 3-9, 2013 where 11 nations were represented.

It´s next to impossible for me to sit still behind the thick walls without having an opportunity to meet some outside the walls.  But an outlet like that always makes the Christian fellowship enormously inspiring, even if the hours with Bible expositions  may sometimes be a little strenuous on me.

My French language goes below “the fail mark”.  But it´s possible to learn how to say “I´m happy in my Savior.”  At the hotel a decorator working there was laid on my heart.  The receptionist taught me how to tell him that I´m praying for him.  He replied that he did want me to pray for him. So at the conference he was made the object of loving prayers.

A fine, French speaking sister from Belgium, translated for me into English a follow- letter.  In this small (?) way our international fellowship became also a “fellowship in the gospel” (Phil. 1:5).  It struck me right then and there that true fellowship must have that outlet to the glory and honor of Christ, or no real fellowship is there.  What do you think?

The very morning I left Denmark for the conference I was (by the Spirit I trust) reminded of Gal. 2:9 wondering if “the right hand of fellowship” would be given to me  as a stranger.  But they “perceived the grace that had been given me”, and I was wholeheartedly and lovingly embraced.

We were surrounded by big wine fields.  The harvest comes later though.  And yet I already tasted “the good wine” of the sweet fellowship during those chilly days in April.

Jørn Nielsen
April 10, 2013