Hymn Fest

Bless my soul, there is a student at Roberts from Africa who heard my testimony in chapel about cancer patients needing to be encouraged, and he asked what he could do to minister to my needs. We agreed to meet every week and sing a hymn or two together, letting the words be uplifting and remind us of God's grace.

He has been faithful in meeting with me every week to sing a hymn. We just stand in my office and use either one of my hymnals or the one he uses back home. I teach him hymns that I like, and he teaches me ones that he likes. His are wonderful. Some are a bit familiar, but I am struck by the richness of the texts. They are really encouraging and often straight out of Scripture with a metrical flavor.

I know some of the composers, but not the particular hymns. Other composers I have never heard of. I can imagine his church back home singing heartily. Most of the time I think they sing a Capella. He has a rich baritone which fills in the cracks of my squeaky soprano. Sometimes my voice does not cooperate at all. Other times I can actually sing. It has been more of a blessing than I realized when first we agreed to the hymn singing. I am thankful for his gift of music, for his time in blessing me, for his hymn vocabulary.

As I have gotten to know him a little, I am able to pray for him as well. He is working on finding his career path, on seeking what God has for him to do in the wide world. He attends the midday prayer meeting often, and his prayers flow filled with compassion and theology that is down to earth, so often just reminding us of God's greatness and goodness. I would not be surprised if he ended up as a minister, though he had originally thought of a medical career.

Wherever he ends up, I know he will be a blessing to those around him, and especially to those in need of encouragement. Thank God for his heart and his caring nature. Let us sing/pray.