Blessing upon Blessing
(I actually wrote this a week ago, but had to wait before I could post the news that is at the end!) Coming to Madagascar and living somewhat simply, I’ve realized a few things that I too easily take for granted in Canada. Great medical care, being surrounded by friends and family, a church, dishwashers, certain restaurants, and the assurance that there isn’t a lizard in my ‘toilet’. However, today I was reminded I so often take for granted one of the greatest blessings in my life right now. I have been given the AMAZING privilege of being in Madagascar, to talk about and share the greatest love of my life. There are days when I look toward October and think it can’t come soon enough. Some days I’m just ready to be home. There are hard days, there are hard months, but being here is a gift. Yesterday was one of those hard days, I felt ready to be home, ready for the next thing God has for me, and then my favourite (shh, don’t tell the others) little girl came waddling up to me, wrapped both her arms around my legs and just stood there hugging me. Maybe this hasn’t been the easiest time in my life, and maybe some days Canada seems a little more appealing, but I wouldn’t trade a single day. I am so thankful to have been given this opportunity, and to be supported by so many people. I’m so excited about what God is doing here, and really I’m writing this blog to remind myself that I have no reason to complain. I’ve been given grace upon grace, and one of the biggest is that I’ve been allowed to be entrusted with the gospel. Maybe we haven’t seen anyone stand up and make a radical decision, but so many people are hearing for the first time about a God that is so personal and that loves them so much. It will be insanely great to one day get to Heaven and to hear about how God used this team, and the words that each of us fumbled over as we learned a new language, to plant seeds and to see how far He brought it. To hear the stories of Sakalava people who came to know Jesus. I mean, really. THAT is what this is about. So, yes. I have hard days. And yes, some nights I click my heels together three times and hope, like Dorothy, I’ll get home. But I have been given an amazing gift, and I would do well not to take these last 5 months here for granted. And now for a piece of news that makes me want to shout, and dance and sing. Around five years ago, I met a crazy girl. I was a youth leader, and she was in the youth group. She was funny, loud, ridiculous, and frankly, a lot like me. I knew that she loved Jesus, but she didn’t talk about it too much. Over the past five-ish years, I have had the amazing blessing of becoming this girls friend. Many weird hang outs later (involving a cap’n crunch cutout, two plastic rabbits, and all the Tim Hortons drive thrus in one night), I saw this girl become a strong, honest, bold and zealous person. She supported me when I came to Mada on a short term assignment, and she made a road trip to Chatham to support me when I was fund raising to come this time around. I have been immeasurably blessed to watch her grow and mature, and to see her go from a silly youth kid who was fun to be around, to a friend who challenges and encourages me (and is still ridiculous). If I could choose one person to share my love for Madagascar, and for missions, it would be this girl. And in a few months- that is exactly what is going to happen. Ladies and Gentlemen, Megan Kools is coming to Madagascar in July. There is a short-term program called TIMO quest, it’s purpose is to observe a TIMO team to get a feel for long term missions to know how to better pray for and support long term missionaries, or to see if it’s something that you feel called to. A team of 7-8 people will be coming, and I am thrilled that Megan is going to be one of those people. Please pray for Megan as she raises her support, and works through a giant check list of things to do before she arrives. :)