We do not always understand
Sindy 2 is back in the hospital. She has been having seizures. Aroldo has two other girls, Ada and Dorcus, helping in the dialysis dorm because the other girls are in college during the day.
Kate wrote to say the art class had their first project and the elementary principal, Victor, critiqued each piece of art & encouraged each and every child. That meant so much to those students.
Since we were snowed out of services we were able to spend the day with Dottie’s brother and sister-in-law which was a blessing.
When the storm hit the ship Jonah was sleeping in, the Bible says, “All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god” (Jon. 1:5). I love the story of the plane where the pilot told the passengers an engine was on fire. One man yelled frantically – “Do something religious – somebody!” A Catholic pulled out her beads. An Episcopalian pulled out his prayer book. The unchurched put their face in their hands and prayed. And a Baptist took off his hat and took up an offering. When the ship is sinking or the plane is going down,thoughts turn naturally to God.
1 Kings 3:7 And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
1 Kings 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
In all the years of coming to the states twice a year to minister and share I have never had to cancel more than one service and that was in hurricane Rita. This trip we have canceled preaching opportunities in Rockingham, Caves Spring and tonight in Bella Vista. It robs me of the opportunity to share with people and generate prayer and physical support for the children in Guatemala. The cost of traveling is so expensive so we not only do not gain we lose finances.
WHY do these things happen to Christians? Why can’t we walk with sunny days and warm sunshine everyday of our lives?
In the above scriptures Solomon admits in verse 7 that he does not know why things are happening or what to do but in verse 9 he asks God to give him discernment so he will make the right decisions as the king.
The weather is so frozen this morning in Fayetteville & just driving the 2 miles to the home where Dottie’s family live will be a challenge. Last night Dottie’s sister, Helen, in West Texas called and is hospitalized and not doing well at all. Why God? Why do we walk this path when we have chosen to serve you. Only twice a year can I come to the states and share and at 72 years of age how many of these trips are in my future? Surely the path you want for us it is not filled with illness, cancellations, etc. It is only victory and joy! Right?
You know where I am coming from. Dottie and I talked last evening about this terrible, cold situation and we were blessed to realize that we have been able to bring a car load of Christmas gifts to Finley and Fellowship Ministries for them to bring to Casa in March.
We found a number of cheap gifts and refilled the car with small Christmas gifts and clothes and will be able to give it to Pastor Teddie to bring to Casa when his teams visit later this year. So with what we had bought and given to the teams in Charlotte this is the most fruitful visit for getting items for the kids that we have had in years.
We were able to hear God’s voice on this trip concerning PASS THE BATON which will impact Casa for beyond Dottie and my years on this earth. This is truly a mountain top experience–a turning point in the life of Casa and the future for thousands of children.
We were able to see Dottie’s brother and sister in the living assistance facility. All of us know that each visit could be the last but we continue to see them yearly. What an impact they have made on our lives. Jim and the Rotary Club here in Fayetteville have been responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars of buildings, equipment, computers, the entire kitchen facilities and all tables, etc. Linda, suffering from ALS, has shown me that a person can walk through the most terrible of disease and continue to love God, love family, love friends and impact everyone around her.
Yes I am disappointed we cannot preach and share but He has a plan. So Lord give me wisdom to discern your will and your plan.
llustration: When the storm hit the ship Jonah was sleeping in, the Bible says, “All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god” (Jon. 1:5). I love the story of the plane where the pilot told the passengers an engine was on fire. One man yelled frantically – “Do something religious – somebody!” A Catholic pulled out her beads. An Episcopalian pulled out his prayer book. The unchurched put their face in their hands and prayed. And a Baptist took off his hat and took up an offering. When the ship is sinking or the plane is going down,thoughts turn naturally to God.