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"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
March 21, 2005 ...The Word of the Lord... - - - - - James 1:2-4
...Not My Idea of Pure Joy!...
WELL! Maybe some people consider it pure joy to have all sorts of trials of many kinds, but its hardly the thing that makes ME jump out of bed in the morning! I guess the thing that makes me tremble in my bed slippers is the thought that it is inevitable that I will face trials of many kinds in each day that is ahead. I know that in the grand scheme of things, I have been relatively fortunate in escaping some pretty severe trials. But I will still have my trials ... *sigh* ... I am guessing I should be happy that I am growing to be mature and complete, not lacking in anything, but the reality is that I usually just want life to be comfortable.
...More Pure Joy...
I am very happy about the fact that I head off to Peru Wednesday the 23rd of March to visit friends, both gringos and Peruvians. I am thankful for the frequent flyer miles that I have never used from previous jobs that bought my ticket (the only way I could go!). I have to have my carnet, or Peruvian work permit, changed into a new format while I am in Lima. I made sure (many weeks ago) to notify the missionaries in Lima to make an appointment for me on Thursday morning the 24th, giving me one day in Lima to take care of this business before I head up to Cusco, which they did faithfully and promptly. And WHO KNOWS how long the appointment could take ..could be 2 hours, could be 8 hours .... Could be 2 days ... (I don't want the trials...). Today I found out that Thursday is a holiday in most places of religion and business in Peru due to Easter. But ... I have an appointment! We called and made it! So surely they are open. OH! Wait, this is not the U.S.... It would not surprise me if I showed up for my appointment and the doors were locked. (I really don't want any trials!). Well that means that I might not be able to travel on my neatly planned North American schedule, and will probably have to change some flights, fees and all (I'm about to decide that I don't want to be mature and complete not lacking anything). I guess it is kind of silly to get worked up over such little things like work permits not getting changed into their proper format on time, the random ignoring of appointments as a way of life, plane schedules, and fees.
I guess if I keep complaining, I might get hit with some real trials to remind me of how petty these might be! Ok, please pray for my perseverance and JOY during the next 2 weeks!!! ...Missions Conferences and Interviews...
Many of you remember that for 3 weeks during the previous month, I traveled to 6 cities, which included speaking at 3 missions conferences, speaking at two churches, and interviewing with 2 potential new churches for support. It was really a wonderful 3 weeks, and I came away excited and renewed for our missions work in Cusco and the surrounding hinterland! Now I am REALLY ready to pursue getting back to Peru! I have made a major decision to go ahead and put my house on the market for sale. I have a great peace about it, and came to that conclusion with much prayer and good counsel. Please pray for this entire process - I don't look forward to going through the TRIAL of trying to sell and (hopefully) closing! As usual, I just want it to be over and finished. But I know God works in the process.
Anyway, I was able to meet some wonderful new people during this trip, see a lot of old friends and acquaintances, and share with children and adults about what God is doing in Peru, and our vision to continue working there. Please pray for my support raising - I have a lot on my plate right now and not enough time to do any of it well! ...A Story of Pure Joy!...
I HAVE to share this story from Peru that my team leader, Keith Powlison, shared in his last news letter. I almost fell off the bed laughing, mostly because I could picture it happening!
From the Powlison's newsletter dated March 16, 2005: "Do you ever have days when you're just glad to be alive? I had one of those days last week. I had been on a long round robin trip that included Greenville, SC, Howell, Michigan, Paxton, IL, St. Louis, MO, Pelion, SC, Lima, Huaraz, Tarapoto, Moyobamba, Rioja, Nueva Cajamarca and Jaen (all in Peru). I was on the return leg and had to get from Jaen near the Ecuador border to Tarapoto, where my flight to Lima originated. The only vehicles available were Toyota corolla station wagons and I ended up in one whos driver thought the trip was a NASCAR race. For those of you who know how I drive, can you imagine a driver that had me horrified? For four hours every curve on a very curvy road was with tires squealing and brakes smoking. I repented of all my sins several times and tried to think if all my earthly affairs were in order. I made it alive to Tarapoto through no fault of that driver and thanked the Lord that once again I had cheated death on the back roads of Peru. I'm quite sure now that some of your prayers were keeping that car on the road as he was regularly violating any number of laws of physics." I'm sure Keith is feeling quite mature and complete right about now. :) Well, all humor aside, thank you all so much for your continued prayers and friendship. I look forward to giving you my report on the trip to Peru when I get back, and will hopefully have some good news from the 2 churches with whom I interviewed last month. Blessings, Laura
1911 Alderbrook Rd. NE
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