Dear Friends and Family:
I am writing this letter in eager anticipation of your arrival on Thanksgiving Day. At times, it seems like it was only yesterday that I stepped on a plane early one chilly April morning, leaving the only life I knew for this adventure in the Dominican Republic. There are times when it feels like years have passed since my arrival, as God has taught me so much, growing my heart, my spirit, and my character into something completely new and different.
Several months ago, it looked like this trip was not in God's plan. The details were not coming together, and it was looking like God wanted us to wait on having a missions group from Kulm, ND travel to the DR. Perhaps the Dominican Republic was not ready for a group of hearty, strong-willed farmers to take the island by storm! But as time passed, I put the trip into God's hands and he said yes, they may come. You cannot begin to imagine the joy that filled my heart when I saw what seemed to be an impossibility fall into place in a week!
My work and life down here are very joyful and rewarding, but also extremely challenging and stressful. At times my life feels like it has been fast-forwarded 15 years or so. Imagine me, planning a 5 day trip for 9 or 10 children plus 4 adults, including budget, itinerary, etc! But it is so, as our house will be leaving on a house trip that I have put together in two weeks. Being a house father has brought me to a whole new level of character and accountability.
I used to play a lineman in football, responsible for holding back the defense so our quarterback could complete a pass, or make a way open so a running back could score a touchdown. Now instead of "playing"with my peers, I am God's lineman. The children are faced with temptations and trials every day, and with no self-control to say "No, that is wrong," I am now that wall for them. The pressure is intense, it is constant, and it comes in all areas.
God gives me the courage each day to face the pressure and say no to ungodliness
and worldly passions. You see, to be an example for these teenagers, it is
not enough just to say no for them. I must stand up and say no for myself
to the temptations which I face, including not spending enough time in prayer or
reading the Bible, building my relationship with God.
I miss each and everyone of you more than you will know, and perhaps more than I care to admit. Pretending to be a solid rock, a firm foundation is not always easy, and it is only through God's glory and strength that I can arise each morning and face the challenges of just that day. Paul was correct when he wrote that we should not worry about tomorrow, for today has enough challenges. Each word of encouragement that you give brings me such joy!
Thank you so much for every letter, every prayer, phone call, and also to those words that I never know about yet God hears them. I have been dreaming of this trip for many months, and cannot wait to see your smiling faces on Thanksgiving Day, for I will have much to be thankful for on November 25th, 2004. I love each and every one of you, thank you for taking this cup which God has laid out before you.
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