Hot and Hotter

The hot weather does not seem to be wanting to let up. It is almost the 4^th week in October and the temps are still in the 90’s, even hit 103 one day. We do get a break occasionally when it drops to 80 or so. Today was not nearly as bad, as we had a short shower this afternoon. When we came out of church today it was so humid that Fred’s glasses got steamed up. A person could feel the moisture on your hands which said rain was coming.

This coming week is the CRMI chaplains training and conference here in the Valley. The chaplains assigned to parks in the Valley as well as the new chaplains will be in attendance. Also scheduled is the annual board meeting where our new secretary and treasurer will be admitted to the board. As I am resigning my position, there will be a lot of work to be done to pass the baton, including some training sessions for the new treasurer, but she will do well!! As we will be returning to Arkansas to continue our ministry there, it will be sort of a bittersweet time for us – but I always refer Ecclesiastes 3 “a time for everything”. It will be a wonderful time this week though for learning, meeting new chaplains and board members, good food, and great camaraderie.

It has been a bit of a busy week, as we have been doing some packing of things we don’t need as of now, cleaning, showing the house to perspective buyer, as well as receiving donations of clothing for the colonias. Ida had an event yesterday at the church for ladies – bible study, food, a study time, a time for crafting, and distribution of beans, rice, and clothing. There is also another event being planned, so all of the donations we have received so far are so much welcomed, as well as a frozen turkey! which will be cooked and used for the children’s meal and bible study on Wednesday.

The sermon series continues with Pop Verses – popular verses that congregation members submitted for discussion. Today was another favorite verse of mine from Jerimiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, plans to proper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. I remember a few years ago when a good friend called and said he wanted to read me that verse, as it was the guideline for his life. He survived a heart attack, and 5 different types of cancer, only to recover stronger and more determined to serve the Lord. I marveled at his faith and determination to continue serving His Savior. When Jerimiah sent this letter to the Israelites after Jerusalem was destroyed and they were taken captives by the Babylonians, it was meant to be a letter of hope and promise. The Israelites expected the letter to tell them that God would release them from captivity and return them to their homeland. Instead the letter encourage them settle in Babylonia, raise crops, marry and have children. He encouraged them to become members of the community where they now were. He put them there for a reason – to seek shalom (peace) with their captors. Does god speak to us today through Jerimiah’s message? We ourselves have experienced this when the Lord led us here to the Rio Grande Valley to serve Him, away from our comfort zone, to a strange and new place and culture. The Lord urged us to be a part of the community totally different and uncomfortable to us. He taught us to be at peace where we were, to reach out to those live differently than we did. God is still speaking through Jerimiah’s letter to the Israelites. The words of Jerimiah indeed gave us peace in our new surroundings. Being at peace is also told us in John’s letter to the Philippians in Philippians 4:7. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heat and your minds in Christ Jesus”. The Lord has given us peace and understanding here in the RGV but now is uprooting us to return to NW Arkansas to serve Him there. As we prepare to follow Him, we are truly at peace. We rejoice in His actions. Gods promise for our future is a certainty that we rely on. He has given us a future filled with hope