Blessings and Trials...

When we give our lives to our Creator to lead us where He wishes, we might be surprised where we end up! I would never have imagined that God would one day lead me to Germany where I would be serving missionary kids! God is amazing and so full of twists and fun surprises! He can truly bring blessings into our lives when choose to follow our Savior with our whole hearts.

Even as God's leading brings blessings, at times serving Him faithfully is hard and trials come our way. A family serving in an Eastern European country for many years is grieving the loss of their son. Taking his own life before 20 has left a deep hole in the lives of family and friends. Choosing to serve God so faithfully for so many years has not been easy for this family. There have been many hard times through the years. Friends I know and love in Kandern have served with this family and are also feeling the pain and loss of their son. Please lift up M and D with their three remaining daughters as they travel back to the US and continue to grieve.

A dear friend of mine, Anna who has been faithfully serving at our middle school as our French and Bible teacher is also in need of prayer. Her mom has suffered a stroke and Anna flew back for Christmas break to be with her family during this time. I am attaching a link to her blog if you would like to read her story. Even through the pain, they are encouraged that God is still there, comforting and bringing His healing peace.

http://annasadventuresingermany.blogspot.de/2016/01/december-14th.html

If I share Anna's story, I also have to share a little about Laura! Laura came to serve at BFA the same year I did in the fall of 2013. In January of 2014, she traveled with some friends to a nearby rock gym to celebrate a birthday. Laura fell and was seriously injured. She was rushed to the hospital, had a very long and painful surgery, was told she may never walk again, and her parents were immediately contacted to travel to Germany. Two years later, Laura faith and trust in her loving Savior has exploded as she has found comfort and healing in His presence. She is walking and growing stronger and typically has a smile on her face. I am attaching a link to her blog as well if you would like to read her encouraging story. Her second anniversary of her accident was last Monday.

http://posthope.org/laurasjourney/journal/190532/traumaversary-2

Please continue to support our missionaries in prayer as we don't know what the future holds. Be encouraged that our God is faithful and is by our side wherever He may lead us. Perhaps God is prompting you to step forward and serve Him in your local neighborhood or far, far away. The mission I am serving under, TeachBeyond has opportunities for men and women who are desiring to impact young lives around the world. If this describes you or perhaps you would like to see where TeachBeyond schools are located around the world, take a peek below. The first picture is in our middle school as our 6th graders are eagerly raising their hands to share their knowledge with Ms. Duvall!

http://teachbeyond.org/news/2016/01/week-one-featured-five-a-weekly-snapshot-of-five-opportunities-to-serve-with-teachbeyond/