We have had our joys and sorrows in the ministry. We thank the Lord for everything because we know He is in control and leading our lives. Year after year we were being transferred from one district to another. This really disturbed us at first, because as soon as we got used to the people we were pastoring, we were transferred. Yet we put our trust in the Lord and let Him lead in our lives.
I remember one move in particular. I had just unloaded my china dishes in the sink when it collapsed. All my dishes were broken into little pieces! I was heartbroken. I said just a short prayer in my heart, "Lord, give me patience." I did not know what to do, but I thank the Lord because He granted me the patience.
Another transfer for my husband came. In the past, transfers were within the Conference. But this time our transfer was from one office to another. Just the news of being transferred shocked us, because it was from a Conference to a Division. We had sleepless nights, trying to think why this call was directed to us, but we had no answer. We prayed to the Lord and said, "Wherever you want to send us, Lord, we'll go." We were so nervous we didn't know what to do. We had the support of our friends who kept on reminding us that it was God's work and we should go and serve Him. We were really encouraged but still shocked to accept the call. Finally we agreed and were transferred. But we had problems with the house where we were going to stay. It was infested with fleas. We had a two-week old baby and we were very concerned about the fleas. We knew the Lord was watching over us though because our little child never got bitten once, even though we, our relatives and our friends who assisted us in the move were covered with flea bites!
We had our joys in hosting people at our house for meals. At first, though, it was not easy. A lot of things would come in my mind, "Oh, I am not a very good cook. Will the people enjoy what I am going to prepare for them? I do not have much, and I don't know what to prepare for them." All these ideas would clutter my mind until I learned that being hospitable is not about having abundant food and being the best cook, althciu gh it is good to learn how to prepare good nutritious food. I prayed to God to help me because I was nervous every time people would come to our house for a meal. I praise Him because He helped me. It's not a burden anymore. I find joy whenever we invite people to our house.
My husband found joy in serving and working with people in differentlinions in our Division. We really thank the Lord for His calls to serve Him in different capacities. "Prayer is the answer to every problem in life." It puts us in tune with Divine wisdom which knows how to adjust everything perfectly. So often we do not pray in certain situations because, from our standpoint, the outlook is hopeless. But, nothing is impossible with God. Nothing is so entangled that it cannot be remedied: No human relationship is too strained for God to bring about reconciliation and understanding: No habit so deeply rooted that it cannot be overcome: No one is so weak that he cannot be strong: No one is so ill that he cannot be healed. No mind is so dull that it cannot be made brilliant. Whatever we need, if we trust God, He will supply it. If anything is causing worry and anxiety, let us stop rehearsing the difficulty and trust God for healing, love and power. "But with God all things are possible" (Matt. 19:26).
