The Christian Home of Love: December 2010

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, KJV).

God has been very good to us. Before we knew that Dara had thyroid cancer, Robert was preaching on a series of four messages on the topic, "When Disaster Strikes." Thank God that God has used the sermons in a very personal way to prepare Dara and all of us for her sickness. Thank God also for yesterday’s sermon (12 Dec.) on “Not I but Christ” that has again brought much encouragement to Dara. Presently, Dara is still feeling weak physically. “yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16, KJV). God has been comforting and encouraging her and is still doing so today. We know that God has a purpose in allowing such thing to happen in our lives and God has a plan for it. God is always sovereign and is in complete control of every event. Thank God for His sustaining grace which is sufficient for us everyday. Let’s learn to submit to Him and His divine will no matter what happen. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2, KJV).

Dara’s desire is to do her best for God in every area of her life, and this includes her studies too. If possible, she doesn't want to miss any lesson at all but she was really so sick last Friday night (10 Dec.) due to the numb that came upon her body (starting from her feet and went up to her face) that she had to cancel her plan of going to school on Saturday (the second weekend of Dec.). However, unexpectedly and for the first time, her lecturer couldn’t make it on the first and third weekends of this month and so they were given assignments to do at home to be presented on the last weekend (the fourth weekend) of this month (25 Dec.). Praise the Lord! The Bible says, “…all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, KJV). God knows that Dara needs more bodily rest. This coming Friday (17 Dec.), we need to go to Chiang Mai for Dara’s medical check-up. If there is a class on this weekend (18 Dec.), then she will need to travel to Chiang Rai. I think it will be too exhausted for her to do that at the moment. So, thank God. Our God is Omniscient. He knows before hand what Dara truly needs and has ordained in advance the class to be cancelled so that Dara could have the much needed rest. “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23, KJV).

This incidence has reminded us again that life is so fragile. Just last year, Dara went for a surgery to remove her uterus because of a growth in her cervix. This year, a hard lump was found on the front of her neck. None of us could be certain what will happen to us the next moment. But, thank God. The Bible assures us that God “knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and His righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them (Psalm 103:14-18, KJV). Praise the Lord! God is merciful! Our lives are in His hand. He reigns over all the earth and is forever in control of every affair of our lives, as it is written, “The LORD hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all” (Psalm 103:19, KJV). “My times are in Thy hand” (Psalm 31:15). Let us therefore trust Him wholeheartedly and strive to do His will every day till we see Him face to face.

Thank God that we could record Dara’s singing for the Christmas outreaches before her surgery. Thank God for a successful surgery done on December 15. Do continue to pray for Dara’s recovery with no complications. Pray that in due time, she will regain her vigour. Pray for wisdom to complete her school assignments and be ready physically for the presentation on the fourth Saturday, December 25. On the very same day, we will also be having our annual Christmas Outreach at Den Luang village. Thus, God willing, we will go to Dara’s school in the morning for half a day and then return to serve in the Christmas outreach at 6 p.m. Please pray for a safe journey to and fro. Remember also to pray for all who are involved in this event; for the villagers to be able to come (expected about 150-200 souls to turn up); for the sound system to work well; for the preaching of the gospel and the saving of souls. Preparation is still on the way. Everyone in the Christian Home of Love (CHOL) is diligently rehearsing the play, dance and songs. We will be acting out from the Bible “The Rich Man and Lazarus” and Rev. Robert Peh will be preaching from Luke 16:19-31. Peigang and Tair are still working on the wooden castle for the stage. Abigail has a few more costumes to sew. Do remember all of them in prayer. As usual, biscuits, candies and presents will be given out. Food will be provided at the close of the meeting. Abigail will do the cooking.

There will be a Christmas Celebration at the CHOL on the 24 December (Friday afternoon), followed by Christmas Caroling (Friday evening). Baptismal Service is on the 26 December (Sunday morning). Christmas Family Gathering is at 3 p.m. (Sunday afternoon). Christmas Outreach to Pu Men Mountain falls on the following day, December 27 (Monday) at 12 p.m.