Groth Report November 2006

It may interest you to know that the first Thanksgiving decree was made by Abraham Lincoln in the midst of the US civil war. He didn’t wait until the war was over or everything was settled to encourage the nation to be thankful to an awesome God. Perhaps many of us can identify with this situation. We are praying faithfully for outcomes that are yet unseen. Our devotion on Thanksgiving Day reminded us that God’s Word doesn’t say for all things but “in all things.” So let’s ponder that attitude of thankfulness that even psychologists say leads to a happier and healthier life.

On this Monday after Thanksgiving my doctor visits find my health improving. My MS symptoms are receding, and now we are testing to see if I should take some preventative drugs. My ankle is healing well and although I still have my soft cast on I am much more mobile. The estimate is that we will be able to return to Cambodia in 2-4 weeks, God willing. Please say prayers of thanks and add those for continuing return to health.

We were able to spend Thanksgiving Day with our entire family. What an unexpected blessing!! We shared our thanks and our meal. We watched the grandkids’ antics. The day was balmy and beautiful. The joy of being together was unsurpassed!!

I am always restless for a project, and so I am thankful to be working on a Mission Friends Cambodia while here. It is a fun project to research and write. I am also thankful in my situation that I can take time to learn a few new computer techniques and apply them at once.

Then, too, the future holds exciting possibilities for working with the Ablaze component of Missions. My recent degree is now hopefully being used for the purpose I intended to glorify our Savior through work for Him. I’m happy the doctoral stuff is over and excited about putting to use the things I have learned.

Chuck has also been thankful for time to put things in shape here in our townhouse. Moving directly from Africa to Cambodia rather than returning stateside in between made interesting storage challenges and left things here in disarray. While he is a wonderful caregiver he has also put things in place and in shape while we are here.

Another note of thanks if for all of you. You have surrounded us with your prayers. You have kept us uplifted with your phone calls and e-mails. What a wonderful thing to be part of such a supportive Christian family.

So in everything we give thanks. We ask for your continued prayers and encouragement. We are anxious to get back to work in Cambodia but we also know—“God’s time is best.”

May you too find reasons to be thankful daily in all your diverse situations.

 

Love and peace in Jesus,

Chuck and Jeanette Groth