Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Written by Rebecca Strickland (Bible study leader at a North Arlington apartment community).

I’ve  known Ricardo since he was three years old.  I’ve watched him grow and had the opportunity to teach him the Bible over the past fifteen years.  He accepted Christ one summer at Rainbow Express and I have since had the privilege to disciple him and to continue teaching him.

Ricardo and I met Fernando when his family moved to Arlington about five years ago.  Little by little, Fernando started hanging out with us at our afterschool program and then began attending church with us on Sundays.  Friendships formed, including a friendship between Fernando and Ricardo.

At a time when Fernando was really struggling in his life, Ricardo offered wise, godly advice that led to questions about salvation.  The three of us met over lunch that following Sunday after church.  The seed had been sown, the ground was ready and new life resulted . . . Fernando prayed to receive Christ!  What a joy to watch these two young men grow together in their faith and encourage each other!

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither.  In all that he does, he prospers.“  Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV)