|
Good and Perfect Gifts
September 2019
|
|
|
"Quick! Make a funny face!"
|
|
|
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows."
James 1:17
We started teaching a new Sunday School class this month. It was a little intimidating, to be honest. But together, our class has slowly started making its way through the book of James.
James just tells it like it is, doesn't he? That's one reason we love him so much. He boldly tells us to "consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds" (James 1:2) and to "persevere under trial" (James 1:12) because there is a reward in so doing.
"But you don't know my trial, James!" we sometimes want to cry out. And we're right... but he knows other trials, indeed. Watching your half brother be ridiculed his whole adult life and then be mercilessly crucified while claiming to be the Son of God is not an easy trial to endure. Seeing His resurrected body, speaking with Him, and repenting of your unbelief isn't either. Taking your thoughts captive when you're tempted to drown in the sorrow of hurtful words and actions remembered against your Savior would be another set of trials.
But in his next breath in James 1, he reminds us that God alone is the source of all good and perfect gifts (James 1:17). Tacked onto the tail end of discussing trials and perseverance, we are reminded that there are still good gifts.
This year, we feel like we've seen more than our share of trials (and confession: we have not always counted them joy). We've persevered in them because sometimes, the only way out of something is through it. But in spite of those trials, we've seen lots of good and perfect gifts from God:
- New partners wanting to join in the work God is doing in West Africa.
- Ruth starting preschool at a church up the street from our house and bravely diving in with both feet.
- Digging into more ABWE assignments and finishing them timely.
- Rain, after a long and dry summer.
- Sweet fellowship and encouragement in our new Sunday School class.
- Lots of time with friends, sharing about life and ministry and Togo.
- And lots of time with our little family: hiking on rainy afternoons, donut dates on Saturday mornings, quiet reading time, and shopping trips.
It's so easy, in the midst of a trial, to forget that we have any good and perfect gifts, much less that they come from God Almighty. It's so easy to see our trials and miss the gifts.
Friends, don't miss the good and perfect gifts. They may be small (an afternoon of much needed rain). They may be big (the Lord providing financial support for our family). But they all come down from above, from the Father of heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows. To Him be glory forever and ever.
|
|
|
Our September newsletter video is live! This three-minute clip highlights some fun things from the month and features some really adorable children. Watch it here!
|
|
This month, we praise God for...
- New partners who have joined our team! We are jazzed that you are getting involved in what God is doing in West Africa.
- Success and progress in our ABWE assignments.
- Friends who are willing to watch our kids so we can go out on a date, work on assignments, and more.
- Beautiful sunrises in the morning, Legos that keep our kiddos occupied during partnership meetings, and late-night "Great British Baking Show" dates.
|
|
In September, we...
- … started preschool (and got a back-to-school cold), made new friends, and did lots of craft projects;
- … enjoyed a family hike and lots of giggles around Reflections Lake (and then it started pouring down rain before we made it back to the van);
- … practiced crawling all over (and crying when the crawling wasn't fast enough);
- … and drank lots of Pumpkin Cream Cold Brews.
|
|
Coming Up
We love autumn, but it's a busy season! The deadline to qualify and register for Field Prep Seminar (or FPS, our final ABWE training) is October 21st. Allen's birthday is October 23rd, then FPS will be held November 1st-12th in Pennsylvania. After FPS, we will have a partner get together at our house in Wasilla before the holiday season hits. Allen's finals for WBU are the end of October.
|
|
|
Pre-Field Update
We are unofficially at 75% of our monthly need! Please pray with us for God's timing in attending our required trainings. God has also provided 69% of our Outfit & Passage (O&P) need, which is over $80,000! That's enough to pay for language school, a vehicle in Togo, and half of our projected shipping costs.
|
|
|
Team Update
Our Togo South Team gathered in mid-September for a team meeting. They recently completed renovations on the cuisine (kitchen) at the Village of Light School for the Blind, which was damaged beyond use in an accidental fire earlier this year. One teammate created a video about the Village of Light, if you're interested in learning more about this vital ministry!
|
|
|
|
|
|
