God Kept His Promise to Give Us Strength
It was the third morning of the family camp at which Gene and I were ministering in Poland. We’d been awake for a half hour when our cell phone rang.
It was Sunday, July 26 – the third morning of the evangelistic family camp at which Gene and I were ministering in Poland. We’d been awake for a half hour when our cell phone rang. The caller was our son back in Canada, and he delivered sad news: Gene’s 90-year-old father had suffered a massive stroke and died three hours prior.
My first thought was, Oh no – not again! Sixteen months ago, my father passed away while I was in Eastern Europe and I was unable to attend his funeral. The thought of experiencing the same thing a second time nearly knocked the wind out of me.
Gene and I hugged and cried together for a few minutes before having to head out for the morning’s staff meeting. Our staff immediately covered us in prayer when we broke the news. Later that day, we were able to reach our kids by phone. They said they’d asked the people in their churches to pray for us, too.
With nine days remaining before our scheduled return to Canada, our main concern was that we’d remain focused on our responsibilities and the people to whom we’d come to minister.
God honored our desire through the prayers of His people, and in doing so, kept the promise He made in Psalm 29:11:
“The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.”
Our camp schedule was rigorous. Each morning began with a staff meeting at 7:15. Following breakfast, we attended a short worship service followed by small group Bible lessons and then English classes. The afternoons were filled with preparation time for the next day’s lessons, crafts, or a trip into town or to a local tourist attraction with the Polish campers.
At 5 p.m., Gene and I taught parenting workshops. Each evening held games, campfires, testimonies, and more workshops. We fell into bed after 11 p.m. Did we need strength, especially in light of the news we’d received? Oh yes. Did we need peace? Absolutely. Did we receive them? Without a doubt, the answer is yes.
I want to publicly say thanks to the Lord for keeping this promise. He enabled us to finish the camp well. And He blessed us with the privilege of returning in time to attend Dad’s memorial service on Sunday, August 9.
I also want to say thanks to everyone who prayed for us while we were overseas. May God’s strength and peace be yours today and always.
Know you are loved,
Grace
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I am sorry to hear about the sudden loss of Gene’s Dad.
I am so thankful we serve the original “Promise Keeper” !! and that you were given what you needed to “finish well” before coming home to celebrate your father in laws life at the memorial service.
Thank you for being such a wonderful example to us all of serving the Lord even when it’s tough and allowing Him to get you through it. Always a great, real reminder of His care, love, strength and power that NEVER fails!