The word “Summertime” often brings
different thoughts to mind in different people.
Here at Grace Children’s Home, a few things come to mind: 30 kids hanging out during the day looking
for something to do (when there is not a group here :) ), lots of fun and lots of
construction projects with our visiting partners.
Sometimes construction begins with
taking an existing structure down to rebuild it. That’s what we see the Lord doing here at
GCH. With the resignation of the Palau’s
and other staff changes, God is beginning to build something new in all of us
here; the staff and the children. God’s
ways are perfect, and many times they are above our understanding. When we find ourselves in situations beyond
our abilities or stressed because of life’s circumstances; we are then
available for the Lord to build something new in each of us. There are so many parallels in scripture
referring to this process; one example that I can relate to is John 12:24:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls
into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much
grain.”
When we allow the Lord free reign to
work in us, it is like planting a seed in the ground. We put our trust in the Lord to take us
through the process of growing (or building) something greater in our
life. We can bail out of this process
and ask Him to take the pressure off, but then we are like an unfinished
building or a dead field. If we remain
confident in the Lord’s leading, trusting Him through the process, He will
produce in us a “bumper crop” allowing us to minister in amounts and ways not
previously possible.
Can you identify with
us in this? God is guiding us and
preparing us for an even greater harvest here at the children’s home. We’ve enjoyed the Graduation of two of our
oldest girls, Jenni and Erika. There is
a “wave” of kids behind them that are on track to do great things for God. God is training the Hanson children as well. In August, Caleb, Sarah and Nathan will attend
the Christian school, Colegio Puerta Abierta where all the GCH kids go. Our family is excited and nervous at the same
time. The thought of the added stress
and difficulties ahead of them almost hurts as we empathize. However, we need to trust the Lord for them
too. He loves all His children more than
we possibly could anyway.
Through it all, we
have seen so much blessing. Enough grace
and blessing for each day, and sometimes enough for a whole week. We enjoyed a reunion with almost 40 family
members in attendance at Morro Bay State Park over the July 4th
week. We’ve seen the Lord provide for us
miraculously as we’ve committed to putting the kids in school, we’ve experienced
His healing in our bodies as Melissa and Sarah put some serious infections
behind them. We’ve seen the Lord’s hand
in providing for my Dad through his surgery and now through chemo therapy. Thankfully, Melissa’s parents are doing
great. Life has been extremely
challenging and awesome at the same time.
Please continue to lift us up in prayer; the Lord is not through with us
yet.
May God richly bless you as you walk in
faith; Michael, Melissa, Caleb, Sarah and Nathan Hanson.
