LTC students ready to Go to Camp
LTC just closed for its mid-year break. Students have scattered out across northernThailand to participate in a variety of ministries including mobile medical clinics , refugee camp and prison ministries and village evangelism. Please pray for our students; for their safety, strength and wisdom.
I must admit that I was relieved when the break finally arrived. In fact, that is one thing I really like about the field of education. There are always endings.
Endings are a mixed blessing, aren’t they? There is always some degree of sadness as we say goodbye and relive precious memories. Often, there can be a sense of relief as we close the chapter on a difficult experience.
But, on the other hand, endings aren’t really the end… because they are always followed by a beginning. And beginnings are exciting. They are filled with hope, dreams, and possibilities. Beginnings offer us a second chance… I just really love beginnings; don’t you?
Unfortunately that is not true for everyone. Some have just experienced too many endings and not enough beginnings. Such is the case with, Nok. Nok is a third year student who was sent to LTC by Asia Hope; a near-by orphanage. As you can imagine, Nok has experienced many endings in her life.
I must admit that I was relieved when the break finally arrived. In fact, that is one thing I really like about the field of education. There are always endings.
Endings are a mixed blessing, aren’t they? There is always some degree of sadness as we say goodbye and relive precious memories. Often, there can be a sense of relief as we close the chapter on a difficult experience.
But, on the other hand, endings aren’t really the end… because they are always followed by a beginning. And beginnings are exciting. They are filled with hope, dreams, and possibilities. Beginnings offer us a second chance… I just really love beginnings; don’t you?
Unfortunately that is not true for everyone. Some have just experienced too many endings and not enough beginnings. Such is the case with, Nok. Nok is a third year student who was sent to LTC by Asia Hope; a near-by orphanage. As you can imagine, Nok has experienced many endings in her life.
About two weeks into every break, Nok starts to call me. Its never a long call. She just needs to know that we are still here, that we haven’t forgotten her and we miss her. She needs to hear me say, “It won’t be long.” Then, she responds the same and says goodbye.
Until school opens again, I will get several more calls from Nok. Nok just needs a
little reassurance. Some of the girls get impatient with her. But, as I often remind them, they are not that much different.
None of us are really. We all struggle with assurance; especially when llife doesn’t turn out as we expected. When we have to wait longer than expected, or just simply change our course. We start to feel our feet slipping, and wonder…. “Did He forget?” And God’s answer is always the same… a quiet, reassuring voice saying, “It won’t be long.”
Until school opens again, I will get several more calls from Nok. Nok just needs a
little reassurance. Some of the girls get impatient with her. But, as I often remind them, they are not that much different.
None of us are really. We all struggle with assurance; especially when llife doesn’t turn out as we expected. When we have to wait longer than expected, or just simply change our course. We start to feel our feet slipping, and wonder…. “Did He forget?” And God’s answer is always the same… a quiet, reassuring voice saying, “It won’t be long.”
The Psalmist writes in Ps 61: Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, Icall as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.
His promise is sure. Our reward guaranteed. His presence is constant. He is our strength, our refuge, our assurance. And He will be with us through all of our beginnings and in each of our endings. And one day, He will bring us to a beginning that will never end.
His promise is sure. Our reward guaranteed. His presence is constant. He is our strength, our refuge, our assurance. And He will be with us through all of our beginnings and in each of our endings. And one day, He will bring us to a beginning that will never end.
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