There are a few things I wanted to share, so here we go.
The last few months have been rather eventful. First off, as you know, Kelsey and I led a team to the Philippines to “build a clinic;” but the King has seen fit to put that on hold for now, and alas three of our team members have returned home without the joy of working on the clinic as planned, which I feel bad about.
We have been very busy as I’m sure you have noticed, on projects like ambulance repair, motor bike rebuilding, generator installation, temporary clinic work, helping the Eheler’s with their house, building a bathroom on the land, and the list goes on.
Then some nights I lay in bed and think “Is it worth it? Couldn’t we just send money and get all this done?” But I have been learning that it is not all about the work as much as being where the King wanted us; I know he wanted us here. For how long, you or I may ask? I’m not sure, but here we are. When my thoughts are on home, they naturally go to the sweet fellowship we have there, and I long to bask in its warmth again. Our friends and family love us with no limit. There are Christians that have been here for 20 years or more, just as Jesus asked them to, so why should they not enjoy sweet fellowship? They can’t come back home to enjoy it, for they would be abandoning their post, a post given by the high King.
Jesus has seen fit to have us here, how can we ask for another post? No, we will work hard at this one until it is time for the next. We will do all we can to help and encourage those who are here for the long haul, who have welcomed hundreds of new lives into this world in the name of Jesus.
In the meantime Kelsey and I are trying to learn Tagalog. It would be such a blessing to be able to communicate with the local people here. We try when we have a chance but it’s still not enough. Why did they have to build that tower in Babel…
We have been “camping” for almost three months now in the rainy season. It has rained for 2 of the last three months, on and off, but mostly on. This has given me plenty of “reason” to complain. Just last night the rain and winds came, and I was in the kitchen with Kelsey and John L. when I realized our house windows were opened. This made me mad. I was whining… As I climbed the mountain in the muddy sludge I was complaining in my mind to God, then just like a good spanking, he said, “What do you have to complain about???” Even though my bed was soaked and many of our belongings were wet I went back down the mountain thanking the Lord for all his goodness. What do we have to complain about? Have you been unthankful? Maybe it is time to confess it to Jesus.
The permits are in the correct office for processing, so we have hopes that we will soon have what we need to start the clinic. This new facility will be designed with childbirth in mind, which to my knowledge is a first for Mercy in Action, as they have always remodeled buildings in the past. We have so much love for all of you, and we long to be with you again. – John
originally published on August 28, 2011
The last few months have been rather eventful. First off, as you know, Kelsey and I led a team to the Philippines to “build a clinic;” but the King has seen fit to put that on hold for now, and alas three of our team members have returned home without the joy of working on the clinic as planned, which I feel bad about.
We have been very busy as I’m sure you have noticed, on projects like ambulance repair, motor bike rebuilding, generator installation, temporary clinic work, helping the Eheler’s with their house, building a bathroom on the land, and the list goes on.
Then some nights I lay in bed and think “Is it worth it? Couldn’t we just send money and get all this done?” But I have been learning that it is not all about the work as much as being where the King wanted us; I know he wanted us here. For how long, you or I may ask? I’m not sure, but here we are. When my thoughts are on home, they naturally go to the sweet fellowship we have there, and I long to bask in its warmth again. Our friends and family love us with no limit. There are Christians that have been here for 20 years or more, just as Jesus asked them to, so why should they not enjoy sweet fellowship? They can’t come back home to enjoy it, for they would be abandoning their post, a post given by the high King.
Jesus has seen fit to have us here, how can we ask for another post? No, we will work hard at this one until it is time for the next. We will do all we can to help and encourage those who are here for the long haul, who have welcomed hundreds of new lives into this world in the name of Jesus.
In the meantime Kelsey and I are trying to learn Tagalog. It would be such a blessing to be able to communicate with the local people here. We try when we have a chance but it’s still not enough. Why did they have to build that tower in Babel…
We have been “camping” for almost three months now in the rainy season. It has rained for 2 of the last three months, on and off, but mostly on. This has given me plenty of “reason” to complain. Just last night the rain and winds came, and I was in the kitchen with Kelsey and John L. when I realized our house windows were opened. This made me mad. I was whining… As I climbed the mountain in the muddy sludge I was complaining in my mind to God, then just like a good spanking, he said, “What do you have to complain about???” Even though my bed was soaked and many of our belongings were wet I went back down the mountain thanking the Lord for all his goodness. What do we have to complain about? Have you been unthankful? Maybe it is time to confess it to Jesus.
The permits are in the correct office for processing, so we have hopes that we will soon have what we need to start the clinic. This new facility will be designed with childbirth in mind, which to my knowledge is a first for Mercy in Action, as they have always remodeled buildings in the past. We have so much love for all of you, and we long to be with you again. – John
originally published on August 28, 2011
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