Praise the Lord for His wonderful gift of Love, Jesus Christ! I can't think of a better way to start a day! I thank Him for blessings too numerous to count. Just take a minute right now and say a thank you to Him for what YOU have received from the Lord!!The days of February have sped by, and I’m writing on March 10. The Lesemanns are due back on Monday, and we are grateful that our mission has gone on smoothly in their absence. (Well, not counting the new "dings" in both ministry vehicles! However, the damage has been light and no one was hurt, so we are grateful for that.) I feel the lack of Bruce's leadership and a place to turn for answers to many questions that I have. His preaching and teaching are sources of strength for all of us. I pray that you also have blessings through your Pastor--and ask that you remember to give thanks for his ministry to you.
Our class, "Deacons and Deaconesses" continues with the three members of our church, two of them having taken courses so that they have been commissioned as deaconesses for St. Andrew Lutheran Church here in Kingston. They are wonderful ladies, doing any task that comes along and always with a willing heart! Our course is tracing the history of the service of women in the churches over the centuries, and we will also try to help see how these services are part of God's overall plan for His church. One thing we have learned is that, over the centuries, there have been many changes in offices of service to congregations, both in men and women's roles. Often, these changes caused difficulties for the church. Sound familiar? Yes, differences have always tried to disrupt the church.
At the end of January, Bruce and Amy asked me if I would be willing to serve another year here. The same reasons I came back this year are still in place, and I believe that the Lord has led me to say yes once again. He continues to bless me with good health and to give me new challenges that will serve His kingdom. Please pray for me that the Lord will use me according to His will. I will be home again this summer—dates to be determined yet.
I also ask your prayers for two members, Daphne Phillips and Basil Jones, who have been sick. Daphne has a lot of pain in one knee and would need a knee replacement, but there is a waiting period here of six months. She was in the hospital for 2 weeks, but is home now. They found out that in December she had broken her hip in a fall, but she just toughed that out!
The building process also took a new turn when the government informed us that they will be building a new bridge structure at the entrance to our property. It will go over the gully that runs the full length of our property on one side. They plan to take out the present bridge which is low and allows a lot of debris to pile up under it when the heavy rains come, and replace it with a much higher structure to avoid that problem. The letter then said "so you won't have an access to your property anymore."!! Of course, we know that they need to provide an access for us, so we will see what this plan brings into our plans.
I have now lived a full year here with Maggie, and it is still a great blessing to me. She has a keen perception of the world, and often helps me with ideas about ways to serve others. She, also, spends her time in working with the Lord's people, so we make a good pair!
May God continue to bless all of you and to keep you in His care. He is indeed "God of gods, Lord of all,” and we can place our trust in Him, knowing He cares for His children.