“All the inhabitants of the earth will fall down and worship Him. . . “
1 Peter 13:8
The first time that I went to the desert, it was with a woman who’s local organization had asked our church to partner in their humanitarian work. She had called soon after our agreement to provide host families for nine children, asking if I would help pick them up. What I didn’t realize was that it meant going all the way to Algeria. And I was terrified. An all-Muslim nation, and I had no idea what might happen. I expected the worst.
Our first stop in Algeria was its capitol city. I had been cautioned to keep my faith quiet, and to not do anything that would draw suspicion to our little team of 3 women. Our hotel was a lovely place near the city center, with a private garden area, and a large windowed lounge looking out into the gated garden. Our second day in the hotel, I decided to venture into the garden, passing through a spacious lounge that included a beautiful grand piano. A man was playing beautiful music, much of it famous classical and popular music which I recognized.
After my garden stroll, I returned to the lounge to simply enjoy the live piano music. After a while, as I sipped a cup of hot coffee, enjoying the garden view, I heard the beginning notes of a very familiar old song . . . “Amazing Grace” . . . I quickly looked up and our eyes met.
The bar pianist gave a slight nod and a smile, as his skillful fingers played that beautiful old hymn through several verses and choruses. He was wordlessly worshiping. And so was I. God’s Presence was there….being shared without a word between two Believers who had this Moment together. No words were necessary.
In a place where the Gospel could not be openly spoken, God’s Spirit connected two hearts in which His Presence lives. The pianist and I never met. Never spoke. I never saw him again. But that sacred, secret Moment will stay with me forever. And I know that God’s Spirit is alive and working in Algiers and all the way to the refugee camps that cover a piece of the Sahara Desert of that nation.
Check out Janet’s book: Not Forgotten on Amazon
desertspring.blog 