Count it all Joy

The wisdom of James 1:2-4 was studied in our class at Lewisville last Sunday morning and was very timely for me. 

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

Most of us do not think of trials as "works of joy."  We want smooth sailing every day.  We don't look forward to trials and testing periods of our faith.  Yet, in order to turn trials to triumph, we must let patience do its work ...through prayers in faith. 

Often trials and disappointments knock us backwards for a while but if we trust in God, He will help us get through the rough times and set us on a course that is good, sometimes even better than before.

It was very hard, for me especially, to pack up our house in Sharpsburg and drive away, knowing Ron never intended to go back there to live.   Leaving a home seems to be much more emotional to women than it is for men.  It shut another door of my life and I was sad.  We don't know how long it will take to sell or rent the house but it's not useful to us in this phase of our lives.  Leaving our daughter in Georgia and our son in China, puts us a long distance from family.   I was already struggling with the decision to travel full-time and live in an RV, which is not one of my favorite things.  I still felt my roots were with the friends at Peachtree City and I would be back someday to live in an apartment or condo there.  We actually talked about going ahead and buying a condo in Peachtree City as we packed up the house.   The suddeness of the decision of the Peachtree City Church of Christ elders to discontinue their oversight of our work was very upsetting and disappointing when I was already struggling with having to move out of the house.  We learned the news on our last night there (after class was over) so we had no chance to talk to our dear Christian friends before we left.  We thought we would be back in a few months so we left with only casual goodbyes. 

We have known for some time that the Peachtree City elders were concerned about handling the work should something happen to Ron where he could not carry on the oversight of the work.   We understand that our mission is not just a simple work of a missionary teaching in a foreign land.  The lives of nearly 700 little children are involved and the continuance of the work is important to us and to the people of China.   Ron and I are still in good health and we strive to keep it that way, but none of ever know when it's time for us to leave this earth, no matter what our age.  However, it was only after we decided we would have to live in Texas for some time that the elders decided to give up the oversight.  No hint of  the elders discontinuing their oversight had leaked to us prior to this.   Ron intended to keep the elders well-informed and make visits back as often as possible just as a missionary would in a foreign field.  But, it was the decision of  the elders, saying they felt it would be more practical for us to get a church in TX to oversee the work. 

Considering all the possibilities, we chose Lewisville Church of Christ in Lewisville, TX as our new church home.  They began supporting our work this year and we have had contact with them for some time.  Knowing the reputation of this fine congregation, we decided we wanted to be a part of the work here as much as is possible with our travels.  We decided that this can be the center of our work and from here we can go out to the various parts of Texas to visit churches.  Lewisville is just north of Dallas.  It's a beautiful area with lakes and lovely countryside.  If you can stay out of the Dallas traffic, it's terrific!   We have been here for more than a month to get established with this congregation and prepare for our upcoming trip to China.  Ron had a few appointments already scheduled in this area, so things worked out very well.

We have been warmly accepted at the Lewisville congregation and have begun to make some wonderful friends.  We regret we will be away much of the time, but it will be a joy each time we can return.  We have asked them to oversee our work, but do not yet have a firm answer.  We are supplying them with all the information about the work in China so they can make a wise decision. 

We had some news from China two weeks ago that brought us great joy.  Ronald, our son, has become engaged to Gigi, who lives and teaches school in the Philippines.  She is an English and Math teacher of 15 years with many degrees and certificates so she will be a great asset to our work as she works with the children in the orphanages.  Neither have been married before so they feel that they are very fortunate and blessed to find each other.  We hope and pray it will be a long and happy marriage.  We are looking forward to meeting Gigi.  We already know of her many good qualities and already love her.
We will leave one week from tomorrow (June 22nd) for China.  We are looking forward to seeing Ronald and the children at the orphanages.  Becky, a lady from Louisiana is going with us.  She will teach some classes at the care centers as we visit each one.  We will travel from Shanghai to Tiendeng to the John Connor Brown Christian Care Center.  From there, we will visit Wesley's House in Pingguo and Neil Taylor Christian Care Center in Rongshui.  I think Ron also has an appointment with someone in Wuhan.  We will, lastly, visit North Canton Christian Care Center in Longhui.  From there, we will return to Shanghai and our return trip to the States.  Our traveling will be extensive and we will be exhausted by the time we arrive home only to deal with jetlag for about a week.

Then, once rested, we will begin our travels again.  Ron already has appointments set from July to October in OK, AR, TN, KY and GA. 

I hope to have news to post from China.  We ask you to remember us in your prayers.  We hope this will be a safe and productive trip.