This was a day for catching up with friends. We had lunch today with Linda K of Zolder 50. What a wonderful lady! I was very encouraged to hear her speak of the ministry here and all that God is doing to grow up this young church. Linda has been at KCBT and we have the joy to support the ministry of Zolder 50 a bit. Each year we have the tradition of meeting at an Irish pub not far from the hotel.

This evening I had dinner with my friend Nabil. Anyone who has been with me on this trip in the last 10 to 14 years or so knows and loves Nabil. I have never met a man who exemplifies servanthood more than Nabil. For years he served our group with all his heart and did it with pure love from his heart. During the ownership change in the hotel he lost his job not long before retirement. Read between the lines. I understand that this things happen, but I certainly miss not having him here at the hotel.

Nabil is Egyptian and a Muslim by birth, though he has lived here in the Netherlands for many, many years. Over the years I and many others have shared with him the good news of Jesus. He is very open, though definitely not religious. He would love to come and visit our church. We would love to have him.

Every time I am with Nabil I long to have him share my faith and grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Every time I am reminded that I can convert no one, but only bear witness of Jesus Christ himself. Pray for my dear friend Nabil and he struggles to determine the path of his life for the years ahead. Pray that if he does not yet understand the grace of God that he will very soon.

As I write these words, our group from KCBT is in the air headed toward Newark. We will pick them up in the morning at the airport here in Amsterdam.