Time to give thanks - and move on

Its been 40 years since George Verwer left India. That number 40 again! Just a bit older to me - so I will not claim have 'known' him at that time.

But then again we have 'known' him and Auntie Drena his wife all our lives. Our early years of growing up in an OM family were shaped and moulded by the larger-than-life presence of George. His very name somehow had a special ring to it: "George" - you didn't even have to add a last name. As a leader his influence was immense. As a personal friend and mentor to my parents. As a visionary and motivator... he just hasn't stopped.

Today he returned to India. On Mum's birthday. Nov. 11th.

We went down to Mumbai to meet him. The journey there and back was epic. Sick kids. Tiredness - the joy of the local train - Asha vomitted on the platform of Churchgate station - Enoch provided an encore vomitting episode when we arrived back at Thane station. Full marks for Sheba and her grace to keep us going.

But here we were - at this historic opportunity to meet George. His wife Drena had also arrived - but was not feeling well and so was unable to attend the function.

What I took away from the time was this:

1. George continues his process of open learning - and inviting us all along for the journey. He speaks out and challenges others to join in living the Jesus life - and seeing his kingdom come in all areas - as it is in heaven. The raw material that George uses is the application of the Bible in his own life and in the OM movement that he has been so deeply involved with over the years.

2. George is *way* more interested in the future than in the past. I expected lots of melancholy remeniscing. Didn't get that. Some thoughts about the past - but mainly laconic - and generally underlying God's mercy. The main thrust was about what is to come. A quote he made: "I don't want to hear about the past - I am interested in the future!"

3. George's humility - and joy in preaching God's word. He continues to put in all his favorite things - challenges about how we are to be mobilised in God's vineyard - his total joy at getting good books into people's hands - his plea for love and mercy - his endless desire to see those who do not know Jesus get to know him as their friend and Lord.

All of these things bring up the basic issue. As James says - Elijah was a man like us - and he prayed and for 3 years there was no rain. Then he prayed again and it rained. Same for George. He is an ordinary man - who has allowed and extraordinary God to soak him through and through - and in the process has been used to catalyse thousands. God using the weak.

What hope there is for each one of us. Lets not stop - but keep pushing on!