For Robert
October 26, 2008
So, Janis and I spent the last 4 days in Denver looking for a new house. It was a crazy trip with lots of ups and downs, and I won’t bore you with the details. The good news is that it looks like we found a great house (we’re still waiting on the final offer to be accepted) and we have lots to be thankful for! But the most memorable experience of the trip was reconnecting with our old car mechanic, Robert, and being reminded of just why we’re starting a new a church in Denver.
Robert is probably in his 40s or so and is from Peru. He owns a little car shop and is the most genuine, honest mechanic I’ve ever met. He fixed our cars several times when we lived in Denver and Janis and I grew to love him. Every time I called or came by, he would say “Hey Nor-tone!” (in a great Peruvian accent).
Thanks to a screw in our tire (don’t tell Thrifty Rental), we swung by Robert’s and he was shocked and excited to see us. While he fixed our tire, I asked him if he was still going to church and he got this very dejected look on his face. Life had been extremely tough over the last couple of years; his wife had mysteriously gone blind one day and the doctors couldn’t figure out why. It had been very hard on her, on him, on his family, and on their faith. He couldn’t figure out why God was punishing him or what he had done wrong. And the people at his church hadn’t been any help. In fact, their true colors had come out and he learned the hard way that church people will always let you down. So…he said he didn’t know what he thought of “the man” anymore and certainly would never be going to church again.
When I told him I was moving back to Denver to start a church, he couldn’t believe it. He wanted to know why I would do something like that. And in that moment, I got to share with him our simple vision. I told Robert that our church was going to be for people like him – people who had given up on church, had given up on God, and were needing a little hope and grace in their lives.
Robert told me he might come visit our church when it got started. 
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6 Responses to “For Robert”
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Luv it Norton and how are you and Janis and ALL the kids…..I just got an e-mail from a Doctrate (PhD) student from the Univ. de São Paulo (just about the best school in Brasil).
Well she has seen the SP materials in English and wants to get the Portugese version and start a few groups on campus….AMEN!!
Answer to prayers…….and God bless the Denver church!!!
Abraham
Perfect! Isn’t this what every church’s purpose should be?! I’m excited to hear what God is doing and will do in Denver!
-Athens (GA) Church Volunteer
Wow, that’s so cool! It’s sweet to have encouraging little events like that come to the front. Let’s hook up when y’all get out here!
John
I love this story Norton!! And huge congrats to you guys on selling your house…. Did all go well with buying the new one? We’re so excited to hear about you guys’ vision for Denver… Thanks so much for the blog.
God’s comin’ for Robert and He’s bring y’all with Him! What a great ride!! All the best – Dana and Bruce (Buckhead Church)
I just heard about your Denver church at re:group at NP today. What an answer to prayer! My brother is a non-believer who lives in Denver with his wife and son. I have been praying for a NP church that he might be willing to try. I will be praying for you all! God Bless, Julie