God has blessed me with a much needed week of rest at the home of Mark & Ellie Hymes, missionaries here in Malaybalay serving Kid’s International Ministries. WOW – the blessing they have been to me. They have allowed me to take refuge in the spare bedroom in their flat. I’ve spent the past week sleeping…sleeping…sleeping…making the occasional trip downstairs to the restroom, climbing the stairs again to find myself sleeping…
And here’s an amazing bonus of this location: besides the fact that God placed me with an American missionary couple who have absolutely stepped in as ‘Mom and Dad’ this past week (I’m more than partially convinced that they themselves are angels), they live right next door to a building where a church choir practices. In the early evening on Sundays and random weekdays, the most melodic sounds you’ve ever heard come flooding through this home, meeting me upstairs in my bedroom. One minute I’m repeatedly kicking the devil in the balls, fighting off thoughts of worthlessness, helplessness, blah blah wah wah – discouragement found me after a few days of inactivity and the inability to do anything. Then…God is so good… that choir starts BELTING hymns in English, I can understand!!! And sing along!! And cry and worship and rejoice at where God has me even if I still don’t understand why.
I know that we serve a sovereign God. Amen? We all know He had this written out, day by day, before my body bit the big one. Coming into acceptance of not being a part of the last week of ministry with my fellow P Squaders has been a tough pill to swallow this week, along with all of the antibiotics we are trying to get my system up and running again. I am preparing to meet up with my team and the rest of our squad tomorrow as we fly back to Manila for our 8 month Debrief. Please pray for those still sick, and that God will restore our energy. Most importantly – for His will to be done.
At the end of Debrief we will spend month 9 in a closed country. I will likely not have internet access again until April. Your continued prayers are necessary and always appreciated: health, safety, provision, and most importantly, that we are glorifying God to the best of our abilities.
The two greatest things that have brought me peace this week:
From Ellie, a quote she shared with me from a Elizabeth Edwards –
‘In acceptance, there lieth peace.’
An email from an African friend I evangelized with in Malawi told me to steer with Joshua 1:9, which is how I navigated all day today –
‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’
