September 2010

I Corinthians 1:26-31 says:

"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

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I am thankful that I was reminded this morning in our devotion time that God uses foolish things. If you've never felt foolish, attempt to learn a foreign language! It is a humbling experience to say the least.

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We've come from our busy, fulfilling and hopefully productive lives in the US to a little town in France to learn as much of this language as we can in 3 short months. Life here is different in every way. We have no car, no family, no friends (though we are getting to know fellow students as the days go by), no church family, no co-workers and no social contacts yet God is using this time in our lives to stretch us and grow us closer to Himself. Stretching is never comfortable - but we are confident that God doesn't waste anything and that this experience will prove to be useful in the months and years ahead as we serve Him. Prayerfully, this experience will also help us to be more effective communicators in Togo!

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We have been working so long to raise our support to get to Togo, to get started on the hospital project, you know, our real ministry. France is just a quick stop along the way - a means to an end, if you will. No! France is a place of ministry too! It's ministry to those around us, fellow students who are working just as much as we are to adjust, get settled and learn French! It's ministry to the French people that we come in contact with - our professors, the school administrators, the gal around the corner at the local bakery and the bus driver.

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Please pray that we will focus on others while we're here. Pray that we will learn all that God has for us in this place - including some French! Pray that we will focus on our Lord - the One who has called us, the One provides for us and the One who sustains us.

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We thank you for your partnership, for your love and for your prayers. We are praying for you. Please let us know if there's anything specific you'd like us to remember.