“For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:32-33)
We owe so much to our Lord for His mercy and grace. How important to submit to His sovereign will and work!
God’s Merciful Provision
As you’ve prayed, at least two dear friends have contributed funds to help us with continuing medical education expenses so we might better provide comprehensive and current medical support for missionaries. Thank you for continuing to pray for this need.
God’s Providential Direction
I just returned from a trip to Belize to serve the Israel Alvarez family. By God’s grace, a dedicated Christian contractor from Maine wanted to spend three weeks helping a missionary with his building skills while also helping to win souls and to disciple believers. Together, the Lord enabled us to do major work on the property and also make plans for the builder to address several more projects in the church and home during the two weeks after my departure. On the first Thursday evening, I preached, and the builder patiently and thoroughly witnessed to a young man at the close of the service. The Lord had led me to include my salvation testimony, which happened to address the same struggles this visitor was facing. Praise God! He trusted Christ as his Saviour! On Friday I spoke to the men, on Saturday to the teens, and on Sunday to the church family again. The Lord humorously broke the ice with the teenagers when a bat flew around the room for a while in pursuit of mosquitoes during the preaching. On Saturday I was blessed to lead 2 men to the Lord while out visiting door-to-door. One mentioned how unlikely it was that we would have the chance to meet. Divine appointments!
God’s Sovereign Will
On December 6, Lana and I celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary. We spent a good while talking about our homes and parents, how the Lord brought us together, and how He’s led over the years. It’s like a dynamic jigsaw puzzle, with so many pieces that fit together. Meeting at church when she was in nursing school and I was in medical school, the Lord used the U.S. Navy to train us professionally and to lead us to churches for spiritual development and experience. Through it all, God has used faithful people to invest in us, believers with the spiritual vision to know what really matters in life. We are debtors to all of them, and to you, in this ongoing work of His grace. I often mention that the lesson of my life is that “God can use anyone, and He wants to use everyone.” If He should call you, count yourself honored; and hang on for a wonderful, busy, productive life!
As 2016 draws to a close, we thank you once again for your investment in us and in the work that the Lord has called us to do. Please don’t hesitate to call if we can be of any service.
That all might hear, everywhere,
Dan and Lana
Preaching to the teens (the bat was camera shy)