JEHOVAH JIREH

As a missionary, our life is very different from the "normal lives" most people live... missionaries who live in a foreign country for any length of time actually have a very hard time knowing what normal is...the family comes from one culture (or in our case, two!) and live in another one entirely different.

This past Sunday evening, I sat on the couch and thought 'Wow, this has been our first "normal" day this year!' We were able to go to church, the boys were both feeling good (not sick!) and well behaved, we came home, had a light lunch and spent time together as a family, and then I was able to make a meal that both my wife (chicken cordon blue) and sons (hot dogs wrapped in mozzarella cheese and fried) liked very much! In the evening we were able to spend more time together as a family, sitting in the living room, laughing and playing together.

It is not often that we are able to splurge to make a nice meal at home, and even less often that we are able to spend a whole day together in this way. I usually am busy with one ministry or another, be it one of the 8 kids clubs and Sunday schools we have helped start/ restart, or teaching, or other ministry in one place or another.

As missionaries, this is a normal part of our lives...especially when working in children and youth ministries, where the weekend is the best time to do this...we almost never have a weekend for ourselves. We do put aside other afternoons just for family time, but with Daniel in school, and the boys being sick so much recently, these days have either become waiting in line at the hospital, doing homework, or when we can going out to spend time in the park, eating a hamburger, or one week going to the fair. It was so nice to be able to do something that is usually considered normal, together, inside our home.

Normal is an abstract concept, which changes in each circumstance and with each individual. For me, even fulfilling my name and role as provider for my family can be very difficult. Without a set paycheck, our dependence is fully on God...and how thankful we are that he is our Provider! Even when we don't know how we can budget our month, God has it all planned! The beginning of the year saw a drop in our usual monthly support, and yet God came through in a number of ways! He is faithful! We are so thankful for his provision, and for each one of you that partner with us, in both prayers and financially! Please read the rest of the letter to see the many ways that God has used you to come through in a big way, supply specific needs, and touch many peoples lives!!

I am so thankful for this time we were able to have together..make the best of your families, because one day they will no longer be with you! Don't take for granted the blessings in your life, especially time together as a family...there are so many who are not able to have this time, because they are out serving others...Truckers, Soldiers, Pastors, Missionaries and many others do not get to spend the time we would like with our families; please do not take for granted the time that you are able to spend with them!