I Chronicles 29:16 “O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.”
As always, it was a difficult process to get the container out of port but it is now sitting on the Mission Property in Mondoukou. Thank you for the prayers and for helping with the unexpected customs fees. The truck, trailer, and dozer are clear and ready for use, the Orphans Christmas Presents are ready to distribute, and the hardback French Bibles ready to be taken up country in December to give to new converts.
Sometimes things don’t go the way we have them pictured in our mind. We have to trust the “mind of God” WHO sees far ahead of us to accomplish HIS plan and WHO always has our best interest at heart. If we have prayed and this “store”, as the verse says, in the container belongs to HIM, then we must accept the fact that the Lord was in charge of all that happened concerning the release process.
I was reminded of the time when Bro. Tommy and I were so excited about packing up in the little car to make a 500 mile trip to the western region of Ivory Coast for a special baptismal service of more than 400 Yacouba people. The Lord blocked us along the way and we could not accomplish what we had set out to do. However, the end result was, God actually protected us from a volatile situation “we” could not see. Plus, HE then used that story of the “GOOD THING” HE had done to open the Muslim community where we still are making inroads with the Gospel among the Lebanese living in Ivory Coast. HIS thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways higher than ours.
Sometimes HE takes us through situations such as this in order to bring people into our lives that we would not ordinarily meet in order for us to be a witness to them. Or, HE opens opportunities for people to be a financial blessing and increase their Heavenly gain. Many times He allows difficulties which cause us to draw closer so HE might teach us how to rely more on HIM. Sometimes, HE is simply taking away our glory so HIS can shine through. Only HE has the answer.
When my children were sick or uneasy about something…they always wanted Daddy or Mommy to hold them. Many times LaNelle and I would hear the “pitter-patter” of little feet heading toward our bedroom. Our child would crawl into our bed, close their eyes as they drifted back into their zone of comfort, and fall asleep. It is surely a comforting thought to know we have a FATHER who hears the “pitter-patter” of our feet. He loves for us to “run” to HIM. HE calms our spirit and brings peace to our hearts as we drift back into a position of relying on HIM. I’ll agree, I was expecting GOD to take us down an easier road. HE didn’t choose the route we suggested…but, HE Is Still Good…All The Time.
