We are surely blessed!

We are in the middle of January and so far we have not had severe weather.   In North Georgia, we have nearly freezing temperatures often at night and early morning but many days get into the 50's in the afternoons.   If there is wind, it is still quite chilly outside but we are blessed for this good weather that is predicted for the next 10 days also.   February may prove to be a challenge but once it ends, spring will be around the corner.    

We are still waiting to get on a list to get the vaccine.   In the meantime, we are staying at home.  The virus has been really bad in the Atlanta area so we are not taking chances.    We know of many who have had a very rough time after getting the virus and they are all much younger than we are.   I don't actually think it will end but continue to linger and cause problems year after year much as the flu.   We may need a shot every year to protect ourselves.

I read that 9,000 illegal immigrants are heading to the U.S.   How many will cause the pandemic to continue?   Time will tell.

Our work continues to go well, managing it here from our cozy bedroom office.   In Nepal, many poor Christian families have been given 30 kg of rice and blankets.  It gets very cold in the Himalayan mountain villages.   The people have to walk down the mountains to the road where our workers are with loads of food in rented trucks.   They carry the heavy loads on their backs (or heads) back up the mountain to their homes.   We wonder how these people survive.   Without work and no available farm land, it seems impossible for them to have enough food.   What we are doing is very little but they are very happy to receive the help

All of our girls have been given winter clothing, warm pads for their beds and blankets.   They always have enough food and comfortable places to live.   We received information sheets for six new girls today and the houses where they live are inadequate shelters.    

Although the weather is warm in the Philippines, the kids come from such poverty, it is also a very bad situation.   Some kids roam the neighborhoods begging for food or stealing it when they can.   Fathers find money for alcohol, cigarettes and cock fighting bets but can't feed their children.    The children are not taught and grow up to be the same kind of people.   When we can take them into the orphanage and let them grow up with good things and learn right from wrong, they can become educated and responsible adults to start their families on a different path.

A girl we supported in China is now married and is giving back to help others.   Not many will do that but most will appreciate the help they are receiving.   It will make a difference in their lives

Our workers in all the safe house areas (Thailand, Laos and Nepal) are teaching the girls to have a garden to learn how to grow their own food   When possible, they are renting land to plant rice.   In Laos, they have their own fish pond to provide food for themselves in addition to their garden.   Our worker in Laos has taken supplies to the poor Christian villages up the Mekong River so they can plant gardens on the hillsides and pump up water from the river to their gardens.   There are hundreds of Christians living in poor conditions in Laos.  The communist government does not help them.

Our new house for girls in the Philippines is very beautiful and they are locating girls that need a home so we will fill the house before too long.    These girls are being homeschooled along with the children in the first house.  They will also learn to help with the garden and do house chores.

We take care of about 220 girls in Nepal, 40 in Laos, 11 in Thailand and 4 in the Philippines but these numbers will be increasing soon.  

We thank all of our supporters and sponsors of the girls.   Without the income we could not do the work.   Even without traveling full-time to raise funds, our work has been able to continue at the same pace and we are grateful for everyone's help.

May God be with you and keep you safe and healthy this new year.   

A New Year has arrived

Life is unpredictable and uncertain.    We have lost several friends in the past few months.   This week, we are grieving (but also celebrating) the life of Sue Thomas of Chickamauga, GA.    She lost her devoted husband, Alfred, in May, 2020.  She has not been the same since that time.   We know life did not mean much to her without him at her side and now she has gone to be with him in eternity.    They were a very faithful couple as they served the Lord.  There is no doubt as to the reward awaiting them.    We should all be as well-prepared for the end of life as Alfred and Sue Thomas.

A New Year has arrived and it brings with it many avenues of thought.    While I am determined to have peace and tranquility in my life, the political current take-over of our nation by the liberals/socialists is disturbing.   I hope it will not end up to be as horrible as we anticipate but no doubt our country will change with the Democrats in full power.   Their ideology does not match that of a Christian when they approve of abortion and many other things that are sinful according to the Bible.    I don't want to imply that the Republicans are on the right side because many of them are not but we had a better chance of holding to God's truth under their control.    All governments seem to be corrupt with people wanting power, trying to destroy others in the process and determined to do their will, not the will of God.  Any nation not recognizing God as the authority, is not sanctioned by God and will not succeed to be acceptable to HIM.   God allowed kings, rulers and heathen nations to flourish and America is no exception since many have turned their backs on HIM.    

As one friend stated this morning, "A simple fact from the history of God's people described in the OT, there were a lot of righteous people in Israel who were true to their God who suffered right along with the wicked. It is the reward for silence."

I know that this world is not my home and I cannot be a part of it although I have to live in it a while longer.  It is my hope that Christians will always uphold the truth (neither side of the spectrum of politicians will) and have an attitude of love, forbearance and forgiveness (all of which are difficult to maintain).  

As new chances emerge with a New Year, I will continue to try to follow the words of the serenity prayer because it helps me to realize how little I am in control of, other than my own attitude.     I don't make resolutions for the New Year but I do try to reflect on things I can improve on to make life more enjoyable and peaceful.   

A closer walk with God will give us confidence that things are going to be O.K. no matter what happens around us.   We put our confidence and trust in God, not in our government or other people.   We know that during every phase of life, God is with us if we are HIS faithful children, doing our best to serve HIM.   Because of this, I have hope, joy and peace in my life.

We have a New Year to continue to help children in the Philippines through Casa Esperanza of Angels and provide a safe and good life for teenage girls through the efforts of Save Asian Souls.   Helping others less fortunate than us is a good way to bring joy and happiness to their lives but also to ours.    

We have been blessed with good support for both of these mission works.    We have a lot of good kids that are grateful for what they are receiving.   We have many opportunities to continue to help more and more as people learn of our efforts.   The Bible teaches us to not grow weary in doing good.   We know these are good works and I will continue to work hard this year to keep our sponsors/supporters well-informed about the work and do my duty to be the best secretary I can be to help these mission works.  

Ron and I face old age together as we approach another birthday in the near future.   Ron will be 84 and I will be 83 within the next six months.   While we feel our age every day, we do not let it be the reason for us to stop.   We work toward a goal of doing the best we can do each day that God gives us.  Seeing blue skies and rainbows remind us of God's promises.  And, HIS promises are trustworthy!

Wishing all of our family, friends, sponsors/supporters and Christians everywhere, a great New Year to serve HIM.    

Anything is possible when we have a God who loves us, protects us and cares for us.

If you are a financial contributor toward our mission work, we want to thank you for your generosity and sacrifice.  Please continue to help us in the New Year.    

May you be blessed with healthy families and rich blessings, counting your joy to be in Christ and a follower of HIS.

Please pray for us, our family, our workers and the boys and girls we help through our two mission works (mentioned above).     THANK YOU!