Meet Cyril.
The first time I met Cyril was in our church small group. I soon discovered he had a remarkable story. He had a very rough past, growing up alone with his mom and living through some exceptionally difficult circumstances. At 20 years old he met Jesus (a crazy story in itself).
Early on I learned that he was married with 2 kids. His wife had recently converted from Islam to Christianity, but was wrestling in her new faith, and suffering from several health issues plus depression. His daughter, who had a seizure disorder, was struggling in school with several associated learning difficulties. Life was hard, and we frequently prayed for Cyril and his family.
Over the following year Cyril was only irregularly present at small group, and rarely attended church. But I felt a desire to want to get to know him more. So one evening after small group we talked, and the subject turned to discipleship. It was like something came alive in Cyril and he grew more and more excited about the idea.
And that is where it began. Shortly after that conversation, in January of this year, Cyril and I started meeting together weekly for intentional times of discipleship. We study scripture together and discuss how God is growing and challenging us in everyday life. We pray for one another and hold each other accountable. And we have tried, whenever possible, to care for the things going on in each other’s lives in tangible ways.
It has been incredible to see how God is moving in Cyril’s heart and mind. He has grown so much deeper in his faith and dependance on Jesus as his Rabbi. And his relationship with his wife and kids has grown too.
Beyond that, God has been affecting Cyril’s work life, too. For years, Cyril has dreamed of opening a jazz bar, and in January he finally quit his day job to pursue this dream full time. But since our times meeting together for discipleship, Cyril has been talking and dreaming about how God might use the jazz bar for His glory. We frequently talk about how it might one day be a space which could be used to grow and build up the church. How cool would that be?
Although his wife continues to struggle with health issues, around the same time we began to meet, she also began to grow in her own relationship with Jesus and is now attending the same small group. This school year, his daughter was also accepted into a school program uniquely designed for children with learning challenges. Wow, God.
Would you join me in praying for Cyril? Pray for our discipleship relationship to continue to grow. Pray for blessing and protection on his family, specifically for his wife’s health and her new faith. Pray for his 2 children. And please pray for the opening of his jazz bar, which is currently under renovation and set to officially open in March of next year.
Story #2 to come next week…
In joy & with gratitude,
Joel for the Kennedy Family
