I’ve developed the habit of reviewing the past year on the first day of the new year. As I look back over 2009, my thoughts quickly turn back to the fateful incident on the dangerous sledding hill in Grand Rapids. Actually, the hill was quite tame, but a unique concurrence of events brought extremely painful effects to my T12 vertebra on Jan. 31. I praise the Lord for bringing me safely through that whole incident, whose consequences stretched on into early May (and actually still continues to a certain extent) and which rose to the cost of $4,400 out of my pocket (praise the Lord for insurance which covered the other $15,000 or so). I praise God for His provision of people and finances to help me through that situation.
I also praise Him for His support as I sought prayer and financial support at 37 deputation meetings and 8 missions conferences. He also kept me safe as I traveled 17,604 ministry miles. My support increased by 16.6% to 55% in May. My goal is to finish deputation by September, so I’m praying that my rate of increase will be substantially higher this year. Would you please pray with me to this end?
I’m look back with gratitude for how the Lord answered so many prayers for my trips to Togo in July and to Haiti in December. I can still remember how nervous I was about my Togo trip, since I would be consulting for the first time by myself and for the first time in French. God showed Himself so powerful in that trip! Of course, I’m also thankful for the many opportunities here in America to help with the projects in our 11 other countries. It’s such a blessing to have this worldwide ministry!
Lastly, I would like to praise the Lord for making me grow spiritually, leading me to make friends with many wonderful people, giving wisdom to make right choices, and granting forgiveness when I ignored that wisdom. To God be all praise for bringing me safely through another year!
Now to 2010… Deputation cranks up again today as I prepare for my first 2010 meeting at Calvary B/C in Cheraw, SC. Pray for safety and effective ministry. Pray also for good health as I seem to have some faint symptoms of something not good.
