This month we have seen many things change again. We have witnessed tighter restrictions with higher security levels due to other problems in the region. An overall climate of frustration continues to grow and good friends we have shared so much with in the past are beginning to pull away and wanting to focus more on theirs and the world’s problems than building the relationships we have started. In this part of the world it does not take too many days of reading the newspapers, watching the news or talking to people in the streets to become discouraged, bitter and often wonder is it worth it?
This last month was a very discouraging month in many ways for our family for different reasons. I know sometimes these letters can do nothing but reflect on all of the difficult things we go through and sometimes we throw in an occasional blessing. I do not desire for this letter to be this way.
So I decided for our family, that it would be good to sit down in our morning devotions and begin to focus on all the blessings we have shared in together. It was time as a family to count our blessings. We began by looking at the many ways God has blessed people in the Bible, why he blesses, and look at how he has blessed us personally.
We began to thank God for so many things. We have a family that has enjoyed good health; a few bangs and bruises but we have not suffered any serious physical illnesses. We have always had a place to sleep and food to eat and we have never had to go without the necessities of life. We have always been together as a family and never suffered separation from one another for long periods of time. Most of all we have experienced the grace of God and are not separated from Him.
Almost everyday here we encounter someone who is not enjoying these blessings we take for granted. Yet, in the midst of discouragement we all should realize beyond what I have even mentioned, His blessings are abundant. Thank you so much for your prayers and may God continue to bless you as you have been a blessing to us.
Restricted Access Nation Missionary