Future Hope

Hi everyone,

I am getting ready to return home March 10th and I am very excited about seeing my family, friends and just being home. I have my plane ticket, exit visa and now I just need to say goodbye to my family here in the Philippines.

Three weeks ago, I thought my future was set. I would be going home for three months, working, raising support and spending time with my family; then returning and taking over the school as the director. However, this has all changed as of late. Now the possibility of not returning is very real. The situation I am in, that is causing the change, is very trying and has caused me a very heavy burden. 2 Timothy 1:8 say ".... but share with me in the suffering for the Gospel according to the power of God". When this trial and the persecution began, my senior pastor told me he knew what I was going through and how hard it is, but it was for the sake of the Gospel. I said thank you and boldly stated that the burden could never get to heavy when it is being carried by the "power of God." As the days went on, I was crushed by the outcome of the situation. The burden was heavy and I felt like I had suffered for nothing. The Lord allowed the burden to touch my shoulders until it got heavy enough for me to collapse to my knees before Him. I am trusting the Lord for the future, because I really do not understand what is going on. C.S. Lewis says "we are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be". My hope for the future is in Christ and Christ alone. I know my future is set in Christ and no matter how much and how fast my situation changes, God never changes and He is a loving God, full of mercy and grace. His plan has not and will not change because He cannot change.

This situation has tested and continues to test me. After two years of service, I never thought it would or could end because of this. As I think of the children, who are barley children any more, and I begin to worry about them and everyone else I was blessed to know in Christ, I remember that Jesus was tortured, spit on, mocked and hung on a cross for them and He will continue the good work in them that He has started. Although I have no understanding what is going on around me, I stand firm, once again on the unfailing love God has shown us in Jesus Christ.

If I or anyone else would look at my future it is unknown and there is much uncertainty in it. 29 years old, no job, no skill, no place to live, no license, and a paralyzed arm that greatly affects any work I could get. I am going through a much-unexpected trial that holds my future service in missions unknown and the thought of leaving my family here is very painful.

However, I have hope for the future, not just hope, but I am certain of the future I have in Christ! I am certain in the plan He has for the people and children here and I will find my rest at the foot of the cross. I have found my hope again, in Christ and Christ alone!