I love Thanksgiving. I like the idea that all sorts of people, many without even knowing it, are doing what God has told us is so good for us - being thankful. “This is the will of God in Christ for you” is what the text in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says. And although it is a challenge, it is good to try to be thankful in all things. There are days when things are hard. There a times when we can be challenged to find something to be thankful for. But it is worth taking the challenge.
This past year we have had some wonderful moments and some challenging times. Shirley’s only sister passed away, leaving a void that Shirley especially feels when the topics she and her sister would share come up during the day. Politics, jewelry or family were some of the things they shared every day, writing emails back and forth to one another. Just the other day Shirley took out a jewelry-cleaning machine that we had purchased. When she was done using it, she realized that she couldn’t share the results with Mary. Many of you understand the struggle and the challenge to be thankful for all the moments that they had together.
We also heard fro two of our supporting congregations that things were changing. Our first congregation as a married couple (literally the very first Sunday after we were married) was at S. 11th and Willis in Abilene, Texas. Last month “Willis” held their last service as a congregation. The members have moved to other congregations in the city or joined the congregation with which Willis merged. This also means that our support from this congregation changed.
Although it is a challenge to think that this congregation will not be there the next time we drive through, we are so very thankful for all that they have meant for us in the past. They are the congregation that showed us what it looks like to be a missions church and they have supported us almost from the beginning of our time here in Europe. And we know that God continues to work through the people who met at that location, no matter where they are.
On the other side, we have very much enjoyed the times that we have been able to meet and speak with our granddaughter. We were there for her first birthday and were able to share this with Stephan and Natalie as well as Sean and Jill. After we came back home we have tried to find ways to keep connected so that she knows who we are. We send her video’s about things we have in our life. Stephan has adapted our video-call time so that she can be there as well (they call in their morning now - our afternoon).
New life is always exciting and that is something that we have been thankful for in Maastricht as well. The congregation has seen two new members in the year - one who has come as a student and one who has given her life to Christ and joined the family. In addition to these new sisters, we have seen others return to their life in Christ after challenging times and we have seen several visitors coming regularly. It is good to see how God works in so many daily things.
There are some days that are very difficult. But God is good in those moments, giving us strength and direction - even when we are not sure of the direction immediately. We know we can walk with Him and we will get to where we need to be. And there are times of joy and happiness where it is easy to praise His name. We thank God for all of you who continue to pray for us and the people we are working with here. We are so very thankful that we have been blessed with knowing you and have seen how God continues to bless us through you.
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