“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 NIV)
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NKJV)
Persevering
Well, that’s what I’ve been doing lately. Persevering! Yep, waiting and hoping, praying and believing for answers to my prayers. And “yes,” I have faith that God is up to something good. I’M READY TO GO HOME!
You see, I’ve been living in Missouri for the past five years. I grew up in Minnesota, and love the change of seasons there, but Missouri is mainly humid, which has been hard to get used to. I also prefer the pine trees, lakes, and streams of Minnesota, but Missouri’s trees are very different, and very few natural lakes. However, when God prompts you to get out of your comfort zone, you obey Him if you love Him; which I do!
We have had the privledge of working with transitional young adults in the college community of IHOPU (International House of Prayer); working, ministering, and living with them at our rental houses in Kansas City. Although, it’s been grueling at times to work 24/7 on house remodel projects, gutting out moldy 2 x 4s, scraping wallpaper and, sheet rocking, painting, landscaping and more.
My husband, Jim, and I also interned for a year at a working farm learning heirloom gardening, building staff housing, training as facilitators for healing ministry, and working with trauma and sex trafficking victims. All these things will be useful for our return to Minnesota.
We are now in the midst of selling our rentals and beginning a new chapter of our life together. Our dream is to minister to the Ojibwa in the northern part of Minnesota. We visited the area this past spring and found a wonderful church, Harvest Church of God, that has been working in the Native community for the past ten years. It feels like a family to us already, and we look forward to ministering there with them.
I just have to continue to persevere a bit more, trusting God’s timing in ALL areas. I love the quote in the photo above, and the scriptures that compliment it. So often these sentiments have kept me going through difficult situations.
I pray you persevere to the blessings your heavenly Father has for your future.
Trees of Righteousness Ministries 