Open doors, Closed doors
We have all heard the Christian cliche: “If this is God’s will He will open the door; if not, He will close it.” We have had an interesting month of open and closed doors. I think in the last blog we mentioned our excitement about beginning a ministry in a little church about 30 miles outside of Asuncion. This little Baptist church was without a pastor and it seemed like a perfect fit for our family (open door). Well, the Friday before our instillation the head deacon calls us to inform us that the former pastor had decided to return to the church. All has been forgiven between him and the church and we were given a thanks for being willing–but now we don’t need you (closed door).
About 2 months ago, the owner of our house emailed us saying that they are returning in July and we need to be out by June. We knew that this was a possibility so we had already begun looking for another house. We found two houses that appeared to be very good possibilities so we relaxed (open door). Well, as of last week, the owner of one of the houses raised the rent out of our reach, and the other house was rented to some other missionaries with a greater need than ours (closed door). However, we are not discouraged…we believe in a God who delights in supplying the needs of His children. So we wait.
Since then, Scott had his first kind of “kick off” meeting with some of the pastors in the area to discuss the future of a possible “fellowship”. The pastors are very excited and encouraged to work together and want to continue meeting once a month (open door). Scott is very encouraged and is busy planning the next step. We leave tomorrow for a town about 5 hours away called Encarnacion to help a church with their evangelistic event this Friday and Saturday. Please pray for many people in this little neighborhood to hear and accept the good news!
Dani and the kids are on Spring Break this week and are enjoying sleeping in and being lazy. They have one more marking period to go. They are all doing well and Dani is beginning to enjoy the ministry side of her job.. loving and praying for her students and her co-workers.
We love you miss you all so much and are always grateful for your prayers. We do read your comments. They are a great encouragement to us! Have a wonderful holiday weekend a and glorious Resurrection Day!
SO GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU. WE ARE QUITE WELL – ENJOYING SUNNY FLORIDA BUT WILL SOON BE ON OUR WAY BACK NORTH. WE WILL GO TO JUDY’S IN TENN. AND THEN TO JAN’S IN GRAND RAPIDS AND THEN ON HOME. ALWAYS GOOD TO GET HOME BUT WE DID ENJOY IT HERE. GET’S SO HOT THEN I GET ANTSY.
LOVE & PRAYERS
Every door hinge is in the hand of the Lord, he turns it whatsoever way he will…and takes great pleasure in his children trusting him. We’re praying for housing here in Northhampton! JE
Thanks for the updates; we will continue to pray for your needs, safety, and health; glad to hear you guys are safe and healthy.