The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make His face
to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
~Numbers 6:24-25~
"It Doesn't Take a Village"
(To Reach a Child for Christ)
Roni's Second Birth, May 6, 1990
Written by her Grandmother, Rachel Austin,
For Veronica's baptism, June 10, 2001
It took a sister "ready to seize the moment" to say, "Roni, you need Jesus." Someone needed to call for a decision to be made by Roni. Amanda was ready and persistent, as Amanda IS!
It "Didn't Take a Village"
Chapter 1 - What does it take?
It takes God's love to provide a Savior, the Word of God, and prayer. It takes a home, a family, and sometimes extended family. It takes a church that presents God's Word and man's need. It takes the leadership, the congregation, programs, and activities, including fellowship. It takes an awareness of each opportunity by a prepared people ready "to seize the moment."
Chapter 2 - Roni's Salvation, May 6, 1990
On May 6, 1990 Roni and Mandy were visiting their grandparents. We were preparing for Sunday School and Church. The radio was on in the kitchen. The preacher was James Montgomery Boice. He was giving a clear-cut message on salvation. We were in the kitchen, except for Amanda. She returned to the kitchen, ready to go. Roni was savoring the moment and not in any hurry! Amanda stood in the doorway listening to the radio. Suddenly she said, "Roni, listen to that. You need Jesus." She became persistent; Mandy IS very good at that! Roni listened a few moments and started to cry. She said, "Get our book." She had a favorite: "How to Become God's Child and Live in His Family." We read it frequently. The last few times we had reached the point of the prayer to accept Christ and she would say, "Let's stop now." She was very shy and found it difficult to pray. Now she was ready. She prayed and immediately smiled and rushed to prepare for church - it was too late now to get to Sunday School - so she could tell her parents. Amanda and their parents were already telling others of Jesus. Now Roni's first reaction was to do that too. It didn't take a village. It took preparation and a sister.
Chapter 3 - To "Take a Village" (for Christ)
This summer Roni will again join others at Orchard Hill to "Take a Village" (for Christ). Amanda will continue to use her talents and unique abilities to "seize the moment" and join others to "Take a Village" (for Christ). They are prepared.
We are all praying:
Go! Go! Go! "Take a Village" (for Christ)
Campus Crusade - Real Life
Pastor Daniel Fusco
Jacksonville Chapel
Rev. Kevin Howard
Starting a Personal Relationship with God
Grace Taste
Grace in Ungracious Places, Preston Gillham
Lightposts for Living, Thomas Kinkade