LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CHANGES!

lorilearningtohope
Apr 15, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Apr 17, 2024

THIS IS MY COMMAND, BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS! DO NOT BE AFRAID OR DISCOURAGED. FOR THE LORD, YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.

JOSHUA 1:9

Do you ever wonder what tomorrow will bring? Well, I have done a lot of thinking about my future lately as I look ahead to several changes in the coming months.

I am sure you all would agree this is a challenging time to be living in. I know many days I feel like I am facing choices in my life in many ways.

My daughter Lori and husband Mike will be heading out on an exciting adventure this May. Mike is retiring so they have decided to take a 6-month road trip. I know they will have an amazing time as the see the country and at the same time seeking God for the next steps to take in the future
I will have the opportunity to stay in Lodi during this time. My Grandson Matthew, his wife Chelsea and daughter Amelia will move into the house with me.
I am seeking timing on my return to India in October. I need God’s direction for tickets and timing. Several people have expressed a desire to go with me this time. I know God will show us who is to go with me in time.
All of these things can allow me to let fears and concerns take over, what does my future look like? Am I making decisions on my own or waiting on God’s direction?
I know the Lord has me in his care and will take care of me, I just need to stay strong in Him!! I need to be courageous and not get discouraged, God is my strength, and he is with me no matter what is going on around me.

Things are going great at Grace English School. The students finished their final exams in March with excellence. After a short vacation they started the new school year on April 8th. Yes, Indian school schedules are much different than ours.

I shared in my last newsletter about Raju, our Headmaster, having an accident with his motorbike on his way to work. His brother also had a terrible accident and was burned over most of his body. We are praising God that several people stepped up and provided enough money for Raju (seen in this first picture) to purchase a new bike and pay for his brother’s medical bills. (Loki seen in the third picture)

We hired a new teacher this year. We are adding 8th grade this year. This added a new challenge since we needed more room to expand. I know we just finished a building project last year. But our staff felt a need to switch some of the rooms around to make them function better. SO!! We built two more rooms on the other side of the building.

All these changes and challenges have reminded me that I am not on this journey alone. God has promised us that He will be our strength, give us wisdom and never leave us alone.

Many of you have asked where we get our money to support the school. Glad you asked! People like each of you support us financially and with prayer. At First Baptist Church in Lodi, we have a coffee bar called Brewed. All the coffee sales are made by donations and all the money we bring in goes 100% to the school budget. We are blessed to be able to do this. Some of you wonder if I am in the school budget as a missionary. The answer is NO! I must raise my own support.

Thank You! We/I could not do this ministry without all your support in payer and financially over the years.

PRAISES:

God has shown us his care in so many ways the last few months.
Providing the funds each month to meet the many needs of running a school.
Providing a new teacher for our additional added grades.
Providing finances for Raju to care for his brother and purchase a new motorcycle.
For our board of directors who must make so many decisions to keep the school running smoothly.
For Sanu’s recent medical checkup and removal of a kidney stone. Thankfully, he is back to good health.

PRAYERS:

For the teachers and students as they start the new school year.
For continued healing for Raju’s brother.
For me as I move ahead making plans to return to India in October. I want to stay open to his timing.
For continued financial support for the school
For my financial support as I face increasing expenses here at home and travel.