Blessings

As we step from the van in Phokera, we are immediately greeted by a few of our kids there. All smiling and ready to carry things for us.

I looked up to see Sammy running from the truck towards us, holding his tie up in the air. Following closely behind were three, little, mischievous boys, all trying to grab his tie.

Their joyful interaction made me think about how blessed we are to get to be a part of this ministry that the Lord has called us to.

The kids are finishing up their school year, and getting excited for a break. I am too. It feels like we’ve been schooling straight without breaks for a few years now, and we all need one.

The Bible college has also finished! It is so crazy to think about. We have gotten so used to having these pastors around that I know we will all miss them.

There have been some exhausting days, but the Lord has been blessing me in little ways. Sometimes those little things mean so much!

Eric had these nightstands built for me for my birthday last year. I didn’t have enough handles for the drawers, so Eric planned on picking more up when he went to town. Eric checked every time he went to the city for them. After almost a year, I had given up hope of them ever getting them again. But look what he brought back the other week! I was so excited when I opened the bag and saw them!

The other week I was looking through pictures of flowers and thought how much I wished I could get hydrangeas and geraniums here. Guess what Eric brought back right before Mother’s Day? Wow! These little blessings mean so much. How much God cares for us and sometimes gives us these sweet little things to show us! I’m not sure if they’ll make it once the hot season hits, but I’m sure going to try!

In Phokera, it has been encouraging to see a few of our faithful kids come forward for salvation. One young lady I have been praying for came forward a few weeks ago. She has always been a sweetheart, but I can already see a change in her. She has a desire to help with the children’s ministry there.

Abigail has a little friend in Phokera who greets us with the biggest smile each week…though for some reason, they all think they can’t smile for pictures.

She is mute, but so sweet! Even though she can’t talk, we think she can hear. This last week she brought Abigail a gift – locusts! Abigail has come SO far! Last year she was screaming about the locusts, this year holding them. She has despised bugs since she was little! She wouldn’t eat at a picnic table once because she saw an ant. But now she’s holding bugs better than me!

The weather has been much cooler, which has been nice. Tonight the low is supposed to be 60°. It was about 100° on Friday, so a huge drop. I was actually freezing on Sunday morning and thinking we might actually want some soup this year! Yay! I love and miss soup.

I want to say thank you so much for your prayers for us. I don’t feel like I can always share everything, but I can feel your prayers. There have been moments when there has been so much going on, when I’ve felt pressed on every side and this verse comes to mind …”We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;” 2 Corinthians 4:8

Though I cannot say I have gone through half of what Paul had gone through, or even what some of you have gone through. I don’t feel overwhelmed or in despair even with everything going on around me, or even with being pressed above measure in every direction. I know that it is partly due to your prayers that we can have the peace of God during these times. Thank you!