MCS Fellowship Gathering

 October 14, 2003

God continues to do exciting things for Christians with MCS in the Pacific Northwest.  We had a wonderful time on Tuesday, October 14 at our second fragrance free gathering.  Our meeting was scheduled to be at the same library conference room we used in April of this year for our luncheon.  The day before the event, I went to test the room.   Lo and behold, the library had just received a delivery of about 50 large boxes of extremely toxic, moldy books that were to be stored in the conference room we were to meet in.    Just like a repeat of what happened in April, we had to find a new location for our meeting at the last minute.   Boy does God have a sense of humor! This time we ended up having our meeting in my home.

We had nine new people attend this time, so it was fun to see some familiar faces from our last meeting and meet some new ones as well.   One of the new people to our group, Betty Wade, called me a few days before the event and told me she saw a letter from a woman who lived in Bellevue by the name of Nancy Schlimmer in the recent Share, Care and Prayer newsletter. (a nationwide Christian publication for people with MCS)   She wondered if perhaps we could try and locate Nancy and invite her to our meeting.   I told Betty that the interesting thing was, Nancy had found a flyer at Dr. Buscher's office about our meeting and was already coming!   Another new person at our meeting had recently found out about The Aroma of Christ Ministry by searching on the internet, so it was fun to have her in attendance.   God used all sorts of means to draw people to our meeting.

We started out with some worship and sang four songs:  Take Me In,  Because He Lives, 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,  and There's Power in the Blood.  After that we had a quick break and had snacks including some delicious organic veggies that Betty Wade had brought from her garden.  After the break, Molly Jensen spoke to us for the second time.  She shared about the emotional and spiritual aspects of healing.  So often in the church we are taught to pray for our physical healing, but not near as often are we exhorted to pray for emotional and spiritual healing.    As a Christian therapist, Molly shared some powerful insights into how God has helped heal some of her own emotional and spiritual wounds.  I know I was sure blessed and convicted by what she shared!  Jeremiah 30:17a says, "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds declares the Lord because you are called an outcast." 

 One of the highlights of the day was a solo by our special honored guest, Pam Simpson who has been homeless and living in her car since June 30, 2003.   I Corinthians 12:21-23a says, “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’  On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor.”   Pam is a very special lady with a deep abiding faith in Jesus.  Even though at times she has felt like giving up (who wouldn't in her shoes!) she continues to persevere and trust in Jehovah Jirah, her provider.  She was a real inspiration to all who attended.  She shared some brief words of encouragement and then sang the song, "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus."  Pam gave each person at our meeting a piece of paper with Isaiah 46: 4 on it which says, "I will be your God through all your lifetime...I made you and I will care for you."  (TLB)   On each sheet was a beautiful fall leaf she had hand drawn with colored pencils.  Pam says that even though she is homeless, she is seated with Christ in the heavenly realms, according to Ephesians 2:6.  Hallelujah!

 It was neat to see God provide for Pam the day of the meeting.  One Christian sister donated money for gas and oil for Pam to drive from Tacoma to Snohomish.  Another lady brought a few beautiful denim dresses to our meeting that she was going to pass along to anyone who might need them.  Pam appreciatively snapped up two of the dresses, changing into one before our gathering started which she wore to sing her solo in.  This was the first time in four years Pam had a dress to wear, so it was indeed a special occasion!  Last but not least, another woman brought Pam a beautiful warm blanket in good condition that was "safe" for Pam, so Pam was well taken care of the day of our meeting.  To God be the glory!

 After Pam's solo, we sang one of my favorite songs--I Can Only Imagine by the group Mercy Me.   What a beautiful song, picturing in our minds what it will be like someday when we see Jesus face to face!  No more MCS, no more homelessness, no more pain--what a great day we have to look forward to!  After that, Pastor Robert Festa from Calvary Chapel Eastside gave a brief exhortation, closed in prayer and was available after the meeting to pray for people.  Along with Pastor Robert, a group of us laid hands on Pam, asking God to provide for all her needs including safe housing.

 I thank the Lord for another very special time of fellowship with Christians in the Seattle area with MCS--what a blessing!  I look forward, Lord willing to many, many more.  I've been involved in a variety of ministry opportunities throughout my life, but I can honestly say that being involved in ministering to those with MCS is the most exciting venture God has placed in my path yet!

 In Christ's love and service,

Janine Ridings  

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