An Honored Consecration, Anonymous

The merciful and reaching God found my parents around 1986 through some faithful believers in Christ meeting with a local church in Puerto Rico. After reading several of Watchman Nee's and Witness Lee's books they saw the reality of the Body of Christ in the way of meeting with the local churches. This vision changed their lives instantly and elicited from them a lifelong consecration to the Lord that their family would serve Jehovah. As their child, by default, I entered into the blessing of their pattern of uncompromising love toward the Lord.

During my youth the local church was home to me and all the precious believers. While my friends at school struggled with broken homes, unhappy parents, neglect, low self-esteem, and deep loneliness and depression, I was carried through by a caring, loving God and a group of people who served and worshipped Him with all of their being. My life was full of people who had joy in their eyes.

The strong foundation the Lord granted me preserved me through my early years and kept and guided me through my college “storms”. Like many young people, a glimpse of the world's possibilities, promising careers and monetary success consumed my energy, time, and affections. Still, nothing ever satisfied or compared to the enjoyment of Christ my parents and the local churches made a reality. By the Lord's grace and mercy, He captured me again, and like the prodigal son in Luke 15, still being a long way off, He ran to me, kissed me and rejoiced ! The dear believers in the local church loved me and shepherded me relentlessly. Having found my place in the dwelling place of God, having seen the beauty of the Lord and having experienced the unsearchable riches of Christ, I can only consecrate my life to Christ and the church uncompromisingly. What a joy and a blessing to be meeting with the local churches, pursuing and serving the Lord until His return.