For the past three days we have been at Guetli. The Guetli is a small farm and inn in Switzerland about an hour and half outisde of Zurich. It was founded around forty years ago. Guests can come for bible conferences and retreats. It is also a place where they can disciple the many young people that work there. The farm is self-sustaining and it also supports two other mission houses, one in Dobel, Germany and another in Sus, Slovakia.
The concept of a Christian mission house is not very familiar to Americans, but it is fairly common in Switzerland and Germany. We will visit several more during our travels.
Last year this was one of my favorite stops because of being to interact with the people that work here. They are beautiful christians. I’ll pull a C.S.Lewis and say that you really just have to go their to see what it is like for yourself. Human interaction is too rich to adequately describe in a few words. But, if I had to describe them I would say they are some of the most sincere and joyful christians that I have ever met.
I was looking forward to interacting with them during our visit. Unfortunately, I came down with a fever and a stomach bug and ended up spending about fifty hours in bed in a sixty-hour stretch. I am thankful though. Not only was I able to get over the fever and stomach bug but have been able to finally get over the lingering cold that has been bothering me since school. I was able to sing in all of our services.
After being in bed all day the first day, I got up and went to the service. I did not feel very good at all right before. I prayed right before that the Lord would give me strength. Amazingly, while we were singing my voice felt better and I had more breath support than I had had for a week. Then when we were done and went back to feeling awful. The Lord answers prayers. Even little things.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
I realized that, though I was sick, nothing was really different from any other service. God had to work and I could not do anything on my own. Unless God is building, I am laboring in vain.
Jeremiah 9:23,24
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
