Unexpected

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Unexpected. That was our most recent trip to Warrenton, Missouri. Unexpected for when we left CEF, Inc® when our time with CMI® was complete, we weren’t scheduled to return till after Thanksgiving, when we would be volunteering during Spiritual Renewal week. Thus, when I received the call from Brenda Hanson on October 17^th that there was going to be an 80^th celebration on November 10^th for US sent missionaries, I was surprised. We hadn’t heard anything about it. Nevertheless, living only eight hours away, it was a no-brainer that we would attend. Tim, though he hadn’t served overseas, was allowed to come, being my husband. For this I was very grateful as he was my driver. The trip wouldn’t have been made if it was dependent upon my driving. I just don’t do long distance drives anymore.

Unexpected, was the amazing privilege of being able to spend the two nights we were there in the Baker House. As a married couple, we were able to stay there once while attending the State Directors Conference. That was during the time Tim was the interim State Coordinator for Hawaii. Baker is a nice place to stay, like a really well-kept Holiday Inn, situated on the lake. It’s a great place to stay! 

Unexpected were some of the people we saw there. Seeing Janelle Mulvihill, the daughter of Jim and Jan Mulvihill, took me back over 30 years when I met Jim and Jan before any of us had made it to the field. The daughter looks just like her mom did all those years ago. Diana Joss and Elaine Weller were two others I also met back in the early days of my time with CEF. Jerry and Brenda Hanson I knew from Washington State and then had the joy of working under them in Canada. Brent Hautle and Lynn Woodhead were acquaintances while in Europe. Then too, I have many fond memories of Neil and Rita Wockenfuss. Although we served in two different countries, we spent many Thanksgivings together, and were in charge of the children’s program for a mission organization which worked in Eastern Europe. Each summer their Conference was held in a different country, so I got to see a lot of Eastern Europe that way. Seeing these people brought back many special memories.

Unexpected was not the opportunity to share necessarily, but the fact that I got up the courage to share at the banquet how deeply grateful I am for the 22 years God gave me serving overseas with CEF. I am amazed. I am humbled. That He would consider me worthy of such a task, is beyond me. But then, it wasn’t me. It was Him working in and through me. In the few moments I shared, I did mention some of the difficulties of being the only American on the team which caused misunderstandings and never being fully accepted, but God worked in spite of those and many health problems. If given the chance, I would have done it again.

Unexpected was when Jeremiah Cho, the new CEF President, heard what I said and came over after the banquet to encourage me. Me, I’m no one special. I’m not a Board member or State Director. We aren’t even “officially” with CEF anymore though most of our ministry is with CEF. I was blown away. His kindness touched me beyond words. He heard and cared.

Unexpected is the fact that I have a God in heaven who hears me. Me. Why me? What great thing have I ever done for Him, but trust Him. Yet all those years ago, when I struggled with misunderstandings or health problems, I knew God heard me. He promised it. Psalm 18:6 says, “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.” Wow. He is a God who is afar, yet He is very near and hears our cry for help! I love it, the verse says my cry came even to His ears! He is the God who hears! Psalm 40:1 says, “I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, and heard my cry.” To incline implies bending down to hear. That’s a beautiful picture, don’t you think? Moreover, 1 John 5:14 states, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” Not only does He hear when we cry to Him, but we can have confidence in approaching Him with our requests. Hebrews 4:16 says it so, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” When we pray, we are in the very presence of the God who hears us.

Are you in need today? If you don’t know the Lord Jesus as your Savior, that is your greatest need. Romans 10:13 says, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Call upon Him, put your trust in Him as your Savior and He will hear you.

If you do know the Savior, it is not unexpected that He is there for you. He has promised to be with you. He has promised to hear you. He has promised to help you. So call upon Him.

Blessings, Mari