“Tim, Over Here!”

I clicked the sunshine icon on Ed's phone to check out the weather for January 28, 2011. A cloud with little snowflakes appeared on the screen. The expected high temperature of the day was 26, that's below zero in Celsius, the measurement scale used by Tim Worner, native Australian, scheduled to arrive at JFK at 7a.m. (Tim and his wife Sally serve on Bridge for Peace Board of Directors and head Bridge Australia.) Tim had never had the thrill of navigating piles of snow or bracing for freezing temperatures like we experience on Long Island.

 Ed and I pulled up before Terminal 7 and Tim pushed through the doors wearing a zippered front sweatshirt – yikes! I waved and waded over to him in my Snowlion boots. "Tim, over here!"

 A big grin spread across his face as he strode toward us, lugging his travel gear. It wasn't much later that he was testing out the snow blower in our long driveway. Ed laughed, "I've spent a bit of time in the last couple of weeks teaching fellows from the southern hemisphere how to operate a snow blower!"

Working at the computer, I looked out the window, shaking my head in amazement as Tim manoeuvred the machine clearing the parking area, a plume of white shooting high into the cloudy sky that threatened another winter storm. My mind wandered back to
1988 when the Lord told us through the book of Isaiah that He would send people from the other side of the world to help with the huge needs intrinsic to a worldwide ministry for the healing of the nations.

All those years ago, Jesus saw Tim, his wife Sally, Ed and I joined together for His worldwide work. Over twenty years ago, while Ed and I sat praying in our living room, listening to the Lord speak, praying for those who would yet come, Tim was a 26 year old single man. I wondered how our prayers had played a part in his life through his marriage, the birth of his four children, and his career decisions. I thought of Tim's obedience to God that led him on this extraordinary path, a heart connection with a ministry group headquartered in New York.

I remembered the mutual joy Ed and I shared sighting Tim at the airport that morning. Tim's turning, grinning and striding toward Ed and me. A new scene suggested itself, the joy of the Father when He called, "Tim, over here." That day as Tim heard God's voice, he turned from the course he planned for his own life. I imagined Tim grinning as he heard the Lord and strode toward Him.

Today, Tim is clearing obstacles away in the Name of Jesus to help others find their way to peace, the kind of peace that goes beyond all understanding. Peace that is not a feeling, but a person, Jesus Christ.

In my heart I pray, "Thanks, Jesus, for sending Tim to us. Though his visit is short, he brings strength to all of us who call ourselves Bridge for Peace, Your nation without geographical borders." As Tim leaves us today, flying back to Australia, we look forward to being reunited on the Bridge for Peace Uganda Mission in May. Tim and Sally will both be with us. God is putting all of the pieces in place for a couple with many responsibilities to leave their family for seventeen days. Ed and I are so happy they are on the team. And I am grateful that once again Tim stepped out in faith when He sensed God pointing to Africa and beckoning, "Tim, over here!"
January 31, 2011