Life Changing Words Ministry

Missionary Journal

Epilogue
April 12, 2006

Inspite of the seemingly ‘walking through mud’ in regard to issue(s) of some Christians being unwilling to walk in the true Spirit of Love, Mercy, and Grace, I feel more confirmed in my calling to India, as a woman and as a handmaid of the Master.

In this last month, Bill has felt the need to start his memoirs for our descendants. He has begun putting his thoughts down on paper while we are in India. We have both felt that this would be a good time to get his history down first, then have opportunity to write more about our ministry God has given to us in India.

I see changes in me, even though many outside circumstances have not changed. There was two weeks at the end that I had hoped to use to finish tying loose ends in journaling, reporting, and presenting. But relationships are more important. Hurting people need to be loved upon, even if they can’t hear your words of life…

I think about the goodness of God, as I reflect on the various places and things that our Lord manifested and gave us the privilege of being in His midst. I remember one particular day, early in the trip when I wondered outloud if I was being an effective servant. Lily overheard, rushed over kneeling down next to me to say, “Aunty, we are your fruit!” Her words have given me a whole new perspective in fruitbearing. It broke my mirror so that I could begin to see from Another’s view. Oh, how my own eyes need to have the scales of ‘self’ removed! Each time we come the lessons shared are so insignificant to the lessons that I must learn. It is more ‘reality’ for the sent one to be obedient and learn the lesson meant for the time and place, than it seems to be for those who are blessed through the obedience. His goodness makes it a win-win for each one.

The other aspect of the goodness of God is His purposes fulfilled! His choice for us was to close some doors and get us ready for others. A closed door entails leaving loved ones behind. We are being called to go deeper in a different way than others may be called to go. Sometimes because of our own limited understanding, we often misunderstand, or are misunderstood by others, the plan of the Spirit. If and when we make mistakes, it is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance -- that change in our walk with Him that draws us closer to Him so He can make His will known to us. Most often, this aspect of His goodness is quite painful. We come to see that He is disciplining us for our own benefit and for His glory. How often we can forget these things until He closes a door or takes one of His holy ones to be with Him. It is then that we are shaken into wakefulness that it is His desire that we serve Him with all our mind, heart, and strength.

I thank the Father for His love and mercy in teaching and training Bill and I in the school of the Holy Spirit in the classroom of India. We might have been able to learn the things we have learned in our own country. But, in India the classes are excellerated for the time is only six months. It is fun, it is painful, it is a taste of life as Jesus wanted for us. Where else can your soul find its complete satisfaction except in doing what you are called to do?

Bill and I see that there is a huge harvest field not only in India, but in many parts of the globe. If our writing and our lives can be an encouragement or a testimony to stir the hearts of others to take a step of faith to be used of the Master in a deeper task, then we will have accomplished all that we are sent out to do. In the meantime, we can hardly wait to return in the fall for our next adventure with the Lord of glory …