I love road maps! I was my dad’s “navigator” and, as we traveled, I’d spend hours mapping out our best route — counting the miles between cities and figuring out the estimated time of arrival. I loved the sense of accomplishment as we ticked off the miles and left the towns behind progressing toward our destination! Of course, now we have a Garmin (Paul LOVES his Garmin) or cells — but it’s just not the same! You can’t look ahead — you have NO idea where the rivers and parks are or how high the mountain peaks are in the area — what big cities are around you or where there’s road construction! I LOVE to map out my journey!
We try to “map out” our lives, don’t we!? We make goals to our “destination” — try to figure out the “miles” between one place to the other and how much time to get there. But then there comes the road blocks, we’re delayed by blizzards or floods — or waiting in heavy bumper to bumper traffic! NO ONE likes to be delayed — or slowed down! And forget those orange “Detour” signs! We just groan when we see them! Who wants a detour?! It takes us places we do NOT want to go! And so goes our lives! And we have to re-route — or listen to the Gamin saying, “re-calculating”!
Last week we spent some time with a young couple who are almost finished with their two year missionary training and they wanted to talk about choosing a country to serve in. They have three adorable little girls and are seeking God’s will, taking into account their gifts and abilities and which foreign country would be the best place for them! They want to be SUCCESSFUL missionaries — and they would really love a “road map”! They’d like to highlight their route — avoiding the detours that will slow them down! What a joy to hear their hearts — to be able to encourage them and share with them some areas that may help as they make their decision. These are the opportunities that God gives us in our ministry here at the MTC. We love interacting with our staff and students!
Little did we know, when our babies were little where our “road map” would lead us. We never dreamed that we’d end up serving, not only in Bolivia, but in Mexico and Paraguay. WE didn’t have a “road map” — but our God did! There have been a lot of detours along the way — mountains to climb and beautiful, fertile valleys to rejoice in! And if we keep the analogy going — the old vehicles are showing their wear and tear and they’ve slowed down :-} How we appreciate your companionship on this journey!!! You are a treasure beyond words! God continues “map out” our journey — highlighting our way — and we continue to totally enjoy our ministry! But there is NO WAY we could be here without you. Jer. 29:11 means as much to us today as it did at the beginning of our “journey”! We KNOW that even now, in our old age, God still has a plan for us — a plan, not to hurt us but to give us a hope and a future. Thank you for your prayers! Paul is doing well, regaining his stamina (and his mind) :-} I will always deal with “hurting” and becoming more and more limited — but God is giving me an amazing ministry because of it! The area of finances is beginning to be a big concern to us as the price of living goes up and our support keeps going down. We’ve had some unexpected expenses (you know — things are wearing out! :-}) — so we covet your prayers in this area also! THANK YOU for being a part of our “road map”! We love and appreciate you!!!
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