By Emi Iwanaga

“Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night 

you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, 

and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father… 

You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, 

and determined to live that way yourselves. 

In imitating us, you imitated the Master…Do you know that all over the provinces

 of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you? 

The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word, 

not only in the provinces but all over the place. ‭‭

1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:5-10‬ ‭MSG‬‬

IN THE MOMENT

Covid pandemic, limited gatherings, like this family-only graveside service.

Relatives encounter one another for the first time in months, in some cases, years.

In the moment, sadness over the loss, bathed in warmth as they reconnect.

Heartfelt appreciation of one another expressed.

Now a senior, united with her much older cousin, recounts of her memory of their childhood encounter.

In the moment, “I recall you appeared in a flowing, beautiful dress. 

You left an impression and I thought, I want to be like you.”

One moment, one encounter, the birth of a role model.

One moment, one encounter you may become a role model.

In the moment, during that encounter, is He yours?

Emi Iwanaga served thirteen years as a missionary in Amazon Valley in Brazil, over 20+ years as a children’s ministry director, women’s ministry director, and pastor’s wife, and is currently a spiritual director.