Rebuild

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 4^th 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.