“It’s so nice coming here and being with so many other Filipino missionaries. It’s comforting that we are not alone. That we are in this walk together.” A sweet missionary friend at church shared this, as they were praising the Lord. It was sweet and as everyone in my family agreed and love their fellowship, it reminded us that we are alone. It’s not easy being here as pioneers, but we also know our family has been created for this. At times it’s difficult, discouraging and can be just plain hard. Satan has even used us against each other in our own home with our hardships, short tempers and irritabilities. Blessings have come from recognizing those things that come from Satan. 1 Thessalonians 2:18, Paul is saying how Satan hindered him from doing something. Sometimes God stops us but there are other times where it’s Satan. He does not want us doing God’s work.
It never seems to fail, whenever times have been hard God sends us encouragements. Sometimes these encouragements come in way of a visitor. A couple months ago, Arron’s mom was very ill and in the hospital, Arron flew to the states to be with her. The Ellman’s (friends from Indy) came to stay with us while he was gone; this was such an encouragement. Not only did they encourage us while Arron was gone which gave him encouragement it strengthened us for times to come. Next month, Andrew and Justus Lockerbie will be coming to see us; this will be a huge encouragement. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4 reminds us that we are not alone, Paul sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage the Thessalonians faith. The verse says that they should not be shaken by these afflictions and also guaranteed them the afflictions would happen.
The Lord has encouraged us by His Word, this week alone, we have been studying separately and both of us have been reminded of Satan’s craftiness. To beware and to be encouraged. Mark 4:40 ‘Why is it that you are so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’ Arron was getting ready to preach on this section of scripture and he was feeling very discouraged. While preparing the lesson he was encouraged that he must have faith during these difficult times. He said, ‘In times like this we must double down in our prayer and personal study of His word.’
When I had typhoid and received treatment, and when others in our family became ill, the Lord gave us strength. He reminded me to be thankful in all situations. When I was getting my IV infusions, I listened to worship songs and I was reading about Corrie Ten Boom. I was reminded to give thanks in all things during this time. When Jenavieve was lying in the hospital bed and I was lying beside her, I had scripture worship music on. The songs that played were Psalm 23; Philippians 4:6-7 (be anxious for nothing); Habakkuk 3:18 (Yet I will Rejoice). Colossians 4:2 says, ‘we are to be earnestly in prayer being vigilant in it with thanksgiving’. Even though all of us were sick with one thing or another, finding ways to be thankful helped our family. It has led us to start a new tradition, every time we pray now we go around saying one thing we are grateful for. What a sweet treat to come out of a difficult time.
Last week we were feeling discouraged, because of the rain, attendance had been down at the bible study and for the church service. With the constant rains, not feeling well and being inside our home (all 6 of us) our emotions were piling up. We were tired of not being able to communicate to others, tired of eating rice, dealing with bugs, walking through water, etc… Sunday we were invited to a church in the morning for Arron Jr. to play piano, and for Arron Sr. to preach. We showed up and they were so hospitable and sweet. The choir sang half of their songs in English and it was very beautiful. Afterwards they served us a meal and visited with us, it was very encouraging. Sunday evening we had a missionary pastor who attends the church preach, Arron was able to enjoy the message. We had around 60 people show up; it was amazing. We had new people come and some of the men walked right up, picked up guitars, drumsticks and started playing the keyboard. We had an amazing time of worshiping the Lord, we even alternated between Burmese and English, and it was beautiful. After service no one left, that never happens! Everyone was visiting and fellowshipping: it warmed our hearts so! Tuesday night we had a record attendance at the bible study: there were over 15 adults. We started out Saturday struggling and feeling down and the Lord kept giving us bits of encouragement.
It never seems to fail, whenever times have been hard God sends us encouragements. Sometimes these encouragements come in way of a visitor. A couple months ago, Arron’s mom was very ill and in the hospital, Arron flew to the states to be with her. The Ellman’s (friends from Indy) came to stay with us while he was gone; this was such an encouragement. Not only did they encourage us while Arron was gone which gave him encouragement it strengthened us for times to come. Next month, Andrew and Justus Lockerbie will be coming to see us; this will be a huge encouragement. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4 reminds us that we are not alone, Paul sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage the Thessalonians faith. The verse says that they should not be shaken by these afflictions and also guaranteed them the afflictions would happen.
The Lord has encouraged us by His Word, this week alone, we have been studying separately and both of us have been reminded of Satan’s craftiness. To beware and to be encouraged. Mark 4:40 ‘Why is it that you are so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’ Arron was getting ready to preach on this section of scripture and he was feeling very discouraged. While preparing the lesson he was encouraged that he must have faith during these difficult times. He said, ‘In times like this we must double down in our prayer and personal study of His word.’
When I had typhoid and received treatment, and when others in our family became ill, the Lord gave us strength. He reminded me to be thankful in all situations. When I was getting my IV infusions, I listened to worship songs and I was reading about Corrie Ten Boom. I was reminded to give thanks in all things during this time. When Jenavieve was lying in the hospital bed and I was lying beside her, I had scripture worship music on. The songs that played were Psalm 23; Philippians 4:6-7 (be anxious for nothing); Habakkuk 3:18 (Yet I will Rejoice). Colossians 4:2 says, ‘we are to be earnestly in prayer being vigilant in it with thanksgiving’. Even though all of us were sick with one thing or another, finding ways to be thankful helped our family. It has led us to start a new tradition, every time we pray now we go around saying one thing we are grateful for. What a sweet treat to come out of a difficult time.
Last week we were feeling discouraged, because of the rain, attendance had been down at the bible study and for the church service. With the constant rains, not feeling well and being inside our home (all 6 of us) our emotions were piling up. We were tired of not being able to communicate to others, tired of eating rice, dealing with bugs, walking through water, etc… Sunday we were invited to a church in the morning for Arron Jr. to play piano, and for Arron Sr. to preach. We showed up and they were so hospitable and sweet. The choir sang half of their songs in English and it was very beautiful. Afterwards they served us a meal and visited with us, it was very encouraging. Sunday evening we had a missionary pastor who attends the church preach, Arron was able to enjoy the message. We had around 60 people show up; it was amazing. We had new people come and some of the men walked right up, picked up guitars, drumsticks and started playing the keyboard. We had an amazing time of worshiping the Lord, we even alternated between Burmese and English, and it was beautiful. After service no one left, that never happens! Everyone was visiting and fellowshipping: it warmed our hearts so! Tuesday night we had a record attendance at the bible study: there were over 15 adults. We started out Saturday struggling and feeling down and the Lord kept giving us bits of encouragement.