when we all get to heaven...

Those of you who have the privilege of gathering with the same believers, in the same building, week after week, year after year, might be surprised at the reality of this church in Tbilisi. 

(I am confident there are many others across the world with the same reality, and for some, even more difficulties.)

David and Deborah moved to Tbilisi in August 2022. This church they gather with has met in a theatre, a school, back at the theatre, several places they were able to rent, week by week Summer 2023, (there were two weeks they gathered with other believers because they couldn't find a place to rent) and a Best Western Hotel conference room recently, including my first Sunday here. The second week I was here they began meeting in this building they were able to secure a five year lease on. 

Hearing what this body of believers has faced, with my US mindset/experience, I quickly realized how much I take for granted. 

I've never had to think about whether or not I will have to use Google maps to find the place I will be gathering with my brother's and sister's in Christ. I can't begin to imagine the logistics of how to communicate, accurately, week to week, where where we will be meeting. I've heard stories about past facilities they were in at (temporarily) stable locations that went from extreme to extreme in temperature-either cold in the winter or scorching hot in the summer. This is a small sampling of things my eyes have been opened to. 

I mentioned in an earlier blog how hearing the message and songs sang in three different languages reminds me of heaven. Here's a small taste, a song that will be familiar to many American believers, being sung in Russian. You might also hear Deborah and I singing in English. When we all get to heaven there will be every language lifted in a beautiful offering to God. 

Come, Lord Jesus, Come! 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus...