April 20, 2012

It's me against the ants!!! (title irrelevant) :)

I feel like I should clarify that the title of this blog has nothing to do with the content. It's just that I was observing how many troops of ants have invaded our home since we left! :)

It's 4am and our baby boy has just finished a great wee jet lagged inspired play time! I am wide awake.

I was  talking to God and thinking over our 5 months in Scotland. We really knew it was time for a season with family. We haven't really had that at all in 4 years. We're usually only back for a few weeks and much of that time ends up being focused on updating ministry partners and fundraising. This time it was great just to have more undisturbed time with family. Precious moments shared with Josiah, time with sick loved ones, family weddings and lots of laughs.

It was uplifting to have time with friends and make new ones. As I was thinking about our trip, it occurred to me that it really was so much to do with friendship.I was wondering why God would do that! Our life in the Philippines has been very much centered around the dump site. Any friends outwith there that we have got close to always seem to just be passing through the coutry. I've talked to God on several occasions about this! :)

For the first time going back to the UK, we made so many new friends. I mean, real true, God inspired friend ships. So as well as being round our long time faithful supportive forever friends, we made new ones. Why would God do this when He knows we are leaving the country and going to leave them all behind? I'm not actually sure! Don't get me wrong we have lovely people around us where we work but its different when you are surrounded by people who know your heart, speak life and encouragement into your life, pray with you and pray for you. They love and look for nothing in return.

Any one who runs a company or ministry may feel that people forget or don't think you need that encouragement. Instead you are there to trouble shoot and help everyone else with their problems. My friend often says " who motivates the motivator?". It goes without saying that God definatly does. He is the well from where all of our needs are met. But I also think I learned on this trip another answer to that question....
FRIENDS

When you live far away from the people you love, you really learn to appreciate just how amazing friend ship is. It's a total gift from God. We need each other to walk this often messy path of life.I'm thankful today for the special friends Abba Daddy has hand picked to be in my life- no matter what side of the globe they live at!