One of the joys that Heather, the family and I have had since we have been in Wilmore is to host Matundu Zulu in our townhouse. Matundu came to Asbury for six weeks this past October. He came to complete some research on what he and others can do to be effective in reaching the people of the Congo of Africa with the Gospel of Jesus. Matundu has known the Congo all of his life, he loves the Congo, his people that he loves are in the Congo, he has given his whole life to reaching the people of the Congo.

This was Matundu’s first time to America. America was quite a culture shock. In one of our conversations he asked, “Paul, why do your homes breathe?” With a smile and a perplexed look I said, “What do you mean, our homes breathe?” At this he went over and put his hand over the air conditioning vent and said, “This is what I mean, feel it! Your house breathes and its breath is cold!” At this I had come to see Matundu had just experienced air-conditioning for the first time! And he was 54 years old.

I asked Matundu, “Do you like America?” His reply surprised me. “No not really!” I thought could it be the breathing houses, the strange food, country music, (I thought for such it was the country music:-)

“No, I don’t like all the stuff, it is distracting, I can’t experience Jesus in America, too much stuff.”

With this I felt that Matundu felt sorry for me, when I had felt sorry for him. He told me his church and his home, and all the homes don’t have floors, windows or doors, but to Matundu it didn’t matter. He could always find Jesus, so he was happy.

Matundu taught me a lot that day and I pass it on to you, the people I love! The greatest gift of the Gospel is that we get to know Jesus; we get to know him personally through the indwelling Spirit. He wants to be known by you more than you ever know. And let’s make sure all the stuff doesn’t get in the way.

I love you, have a great Christmas, I am proud of you!