I first came to Gracepoint because a roommate invited me over to a picnic social the church was having. Before then, Gracepoint was a nebulous entity that I had heard positive things about but had never before experienced. I was certainly surprised. The people I met were warm and generous, perfect strangers and yet so willing to hear more about me and to show me around. I had gone to churches that were friendly before, but the depth and sincerity were strikingly unique. I continued to be pleasantly surprised and amazed by the church. Pastor Ed spoke with such conviction and poignancy, with a perception that was downright frightening while the members of the congregation were vibrant and filled with passion for each other. I did not have long in the church though as I received news that I was going to Iraq, but once word got through the church, I found myself supported and prayed for, by multitudes I barely knew and yet cared for me anyway. Even while I was overseas, people would email me and send care packages just to keep in touch. When I came back I was welcomed with much rejoicing, even though I never thought something as simple as me coming back alive would warrant such attention. People there were definitely relationship-oriented, and I was reminded daily of Pastor Ed’s own messages about loving one another and going outside the singular self by the actions of those around me. As it was, my own trials were not finished. I fell about forty feet one Saturday due to ROTC obstacle training, fracturing several vertebrae in my spine. I was rushed to the hospital and yet the very next day I saw Suzanne and Steve, a married couple from Gracepoint, checking up on me. I had not expected anyone to so much as know about my accident much less respond with such celerity to the news. I was moved to tears, though high on morphine, I doubt it was telling. The blessings God gave me only grew. Pastor Ed came over to see me as well, members of ROTC, more members of the church, then primarily members of the church, sisters of Gracepoint who organized it so that everyday someone would drop by to visit, bringing flowers, cards, food, and company. Even when I left the church, Esther, Mina, Jennifer, and Azusa offered their home for me until I recovered more fully. I was stuck in a wheelchair, hardly at a high point in my life, and yet they cared for me anyway, despite the extra trouble and attention a case like mine required. These actions borne of love made me realize that I owed a debt that could never be repaid. It made me realize that here was a church that was truly touched by the presence of God, and that there were people here worth knowing and loving in return. My gratitude toward the Lord grew as I saw his grace manifested in his children, my brothers and sisters, and to this day I do not know the proper expression for the thanks I owe.
