update 4 | monsoons&goodbyes

::Narrow is the Path::

Tomorrow will mark Craig and I's last day in India. I really don't know what to think about it all...how do I process what I've seen and experienced? I desperately hope that we have planted seed that will produce fruit unto everlasting life. Indeed, our full intention in coming here was to impact India for Christ, but we ourselves are the ones that are walking out of this changed. The past two months GOD has taken us on a journey to see His faithfulness in the midst of man's fallenness. The darkness and sad reality of poverty is constantly at your door step here. Child Labour, sex trafficking, idol worship,  swindling, disease, corruption and human rights violations are part of routine life. Some have a high standard of living and are free from the direct oppression of these things but the reality is that one must literally close their eyes in order to escape them. It is honestly quite overwhelming. Where does one even start when the situation is so vast? There is an immense thirst in this country for peace with GOD. Everyone longs for it. People are trying so hard to make it through life without angering the gods who are constantly ready to destroy them because of their sin. The odd thing is, the Hindu gods themselves are known for deceit, swindling, adultery, murder and a number of other immoralities.

What India needs is the gospel. What the world needs is the gospel. Change will happen as children of darkness become children of light, one by one. Jesus offers us something that no one else can...forgiveness and reconciliation with our Creator. There is so much more beauty in Jesus but it begins with His ability and desire to forgive us of our sins against Him. 

I am now, at the end of summertime, more aware of my depravity than when I embarked on this journey in May. I've been reminded continually that living a missional lifestyle is not a call for only a select few in the Church. It is the call of all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus. You do not need to cross the sea to find people who need Jesus. They are your neighbors, your friends, your parents and teachers.  Make no mistake. We are all screwed up. You will not find one follower of Jesus out-there that is not fighting a daily battle against sin and apathy. But a result of a regenerate life in Christ is the realization that every human being is desperately in need of the work of Christ in their lives. The Kingdom of the heavens is advancing my friends. I could write entire books about how I fall short but that is precisely the beauty of the gospel.  Jesus beckons, "come as you are"to the broken and lost.  He says to the weary, "I will give you rest".

::games for days::

Another great day at the mobile school!

::Unchartered Territory::

The past three days Craig and I joined a mission group from Texas to do ministry in the unreached territories of the Sunderbands. This territory is famous for its mangrove forests that reach across hundreds of miles on the border of India and Bangladesh. It is also the home of the Bengali Tiger which is an endangered species that is only found in this particular area of South East Asia. As we began our journey we met up with a few National partners who have a burden for the Unreached peoples in the Sunderbands. To our great pleasure we have heard from the nationals that several churches have been planted in these Islands over the past few years of their ministry. The Kingdom of GOD is growing in the midst of the darkness! Through the guidance of our National Partners we handed out hundreds of gospel tracks in the market places of several different Islands and were even privileged to show the Jesus film in a school building. We pray that each of these tracks that were handed out will have found themselves in the hands of soon to be believers. There are many barriers to belief in Jesus as the only way in this culture. Superstition, tradition and fear of society drive many people away from the good news of Jesus Christ. Please pray with us for the gospel to penetrate the darkness that has blinded the hearts of many. Many of the things I have seen over the past two months have been deeply saddening and eye opening. Some of the situations that people are in seem so hopeless. Indentured servants, trafficking victims, ruined crops on isolated islands, and the constant fear of Tiger and alligator attacks. BUT there is hope. These people still have HOPE. JESUS is their hope. The world is a place of struggle for many here, but the gospel brings good tidings. That these people who feel forgotten, who are trampled upon by society and are enslaved to so much sin and darkness are deeply loved by their Creator and have a way out of a life of sin and a way into a righteous and hope filled life in Jesus. It is the greatest news in the world! please fight for these souls in prayer and pray that we will be faithful to pray as well. It is surprising how easily one can lose focus of the goal when in the midst of such a vital mission. My heart is shaken by the things I have seen...I have confirmed in my heart all the more that the world needs to know Jesus and His Salvation. Press on brothers and sisters. 

::Back to the Future::

The past two weeks have been filled with much refreshment, Joy, Challenge and reinvigoration. Two weeks ago, Craig and I flew into Thailand to do VBS for a group of 10-12year old missionary kids during a Regional Mission Conference. It was such an incredible opportunity for us to invest in these kids who are going through the struggles of growing up on the mission field. As each day sped by, we found ourselves getting very attached to these children who are so special and dearly loved by GOD. We came to hear each of their testimonies and of their struggles and desires in life. As I remembered back when I was their age, I found myself very encouraged by where many of them were in their walks with the Lord. It took myself a long time to finally 'get it' as far as the gospel goes, but some of these kids have definitely 'got it' and that was such an encouragement to see.  Some are struggling fiercely and others are flourishing in the faith, but whichever the case was, we saw the Lord meet each of them where they are at and do a work in their hearts. Many of these children do not have the luxury of having friends their age who can speak a common language. This is very tough on a child at such a pivotal age so for many of these kids, this conference was a rare opportunity to hangout with kids their own age who are in similar life circumstances with parents in full time ministry. We definitely saw some good fruit in these kids lives throughout the week we spent with them and we ask that you pray for missionary kids such as these who face many challenges living cross-culturaly. That being said, I believe that it is a high privilege and extreme blessing to have the opportunities that they do to live in a foreign land and see GOD at His mighty work.
After many sad goodbye's with our new friends we headed up North to Chiangmai Thailand where we spent 5 days catching up with old friends from our High School days in Thailand. I cannot express to you all how encouraging it was to see our dear friends and teachers (also our friends) and hear how they are doing and what GOD is teaching them. It was refreshing for me personally as well to return to the city where my transformed life in Christ began. He is so good. We enjoyed much good fellowship during these days. We were blessed with an opportunity during this time to visit a juvenile prison for girls and do a program for them where we shared testimonies, sang songs, played games and taught guitar. There is a flourishing ministry among these girls run by some local missionaries here in Chiangmai. It was so good to see how GOD is at work among these hurting people! We also spent a morning singing songs and sharing our testimonies at a local bilingual school. We were informed that many of the students there are not believers so we pray that fruit will come from the time we spent with them.
I sit here once again in Kolkata India facing two more weeks of ministry here in South East Asia. Please pray for strength to persevere in sharing the gospel and wisdom on how to do so effectively. There is hope my friends! GOD is alive and at work among these peoples. Tomorrow we head out to a village for three days so please pray for protection there and for boldness to proclaim truth with love!
Grace and Peace

::Friends::

update 3 | kids&curry

::GOD is FAITHFUL::

Meet my friend Peter. A teacher, Pastor, father, Evangelist and persecuted believer. Craig and I had the privilege of meeting Peter at the Slum schools we have visited and taught lessons at. During our last visit I asked him to share His testimony and for the next 45 minutes or so, he shared with us his journey of coming to faith and of the many struggles he has had along the way. In Christian circles we always say, "GOD is Faithful" with belief and conviction. But that phrase has so much power when it is seen through someone's testimony or through personal experience. I myself have seen GOD's faithfulness in my own life over and over and over again. I find it hard to believe (knowing my own heart) that GOD would love me. It is honestly, really shocking to think that the Creator of the Universe would love me so much that He did not even spare His own son to be a ransom for me so that I could have a renewed relationship with Him. It is amazing and it is the greatest gift that I have ever received. GOD's love is not like our love here on earth. It reaches as high as the heavens and as deep as the depths of the sea. As it says in Ephesians, may we 'have the power to understand, as all GOD's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.' Our friend Peter came from a Hindu background, worshiping idols and frequenting temples to somehow appease the gods. One day during a christmas festival he received a track which was to be the start of his journey with Jesus and which later led to his conversion. Once he finally understood the good news and accepted it he received much taunting and persecution from his family. He slept on the streets having been kicked out of his home for his faith. Yet, in the midst of such pain and suffering GOD always provided for his needs. He was able to receive a bible education, his formerly baron wife was blessed with a child and he is now the pastor of a church. As we were chatting during a break in the mobile school he shared with us a piece of bread that they distributed to the children. He said, 'Please pray that we can feed all the children some day'. They have their own bakery which they use to supply the mobile schools in Kolkata with bread...wow. It brings tears to my eyes to see a generation of kids who are still treated by society as undeserving outcasts. They have such beautiful smiles and they are very much loved by GOD yet those like peter who are actually doing something about this are very few. But in the midst of the darkness GOD is powerfully at work. Praise His Name. There are many who are deciding to follow Jesus like Peter. These schools are being used to teach these children who live in a country where 33 million 'gods' are worshiped that Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father and that it is in Him alone that true peace, hope and love can be found. There is hope in the midst of the darkness. I ask you to pray for Peter. Pray for him to be bold to preach the gospel in a place where it is offensive. Pray for these kids to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and for this mobile school ministry to be provided with all that it needs to impact the Kingdom of GOD in the greatest way.
Pray for Craig and I as well. I wish I could express to you the extent of GOD's faithfulness in our lives and in the world around us. We are un-deserving. In fact, over the course of the last few months I have seen over and over again how desperately I need Jesus in my life. Anyone who knows me knows that I slip up. But GOD is so good to us. He forgives us and helps us to keep moving forward. Pray for Endurance.
Currently we are in Thailand helping to lead a group of 10~12 year olds for a Mission Conference. Pray for these children's lives to be impacted in a positive and GOD exalting way.
May the Love and truth of Jesus guide us all into maturity in the faith and into the truest and most sincer e love.

::Jesus Loves the Little Children::

Today has been one of my favorite days here in India thus far. Craig and I were privileged to go hangout and teach some kids at a mobile school for slum kids. The kids were adorable and I kept thinking about how Jesus taught people to love children. He said, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me" Those are some incredible words from Jesus. He says in Matthew that the Kingdom of GOD belongs to such as these (referencing the children crowded around Him). For these kids this mobile school is the only education they are able to receive (and it is extremely basic). The children there could not even write their own names in their native language. After teaching at the school we were invited to visit some of the children's homes and we were blessed to share the good news of Jesus through a translator there. We met one 14year old girl who had to drop out of school to watch the kids while her parents went to worked. The situations that we encounter here are very saddening. May we not take for granted the blessings we have received in our lives. Our education, our shelters, our families and daily provisions of food. Pray that these people find Jesus and find hope in Him. Unfortunately in this society they are considered out-casts. But in GOD's eyes they are precious and of great worth. Pray for the gospel to change India from the ground up so that people like this girl will have opportunities in life and more importantly that all people in this nation might hear the Gospel, turn to Jesus and be saved! And may we remember the words of Jesus, "From Everyone who has been given much, much will be required." (Luke 12:48)

Grace and Peace

::Jesus the Hope for the Hopeless::

The greatest tragedy that could ever befall someone is to die without having known Jesus. As Craig and I roam the streets of Calcutta the reality is that most of the people we walk or drive by do not have a relationship with the One who loved them so much that He gave His only Son to die for them so that they might have eternal life...Some may have heard the name Jesus, but many have not entered into a relationship with Him. People are very open to talk about GOD here. In-fact you can hardly go anywhere without seeing some sort of shrine or tapestry representing a Hindu deity of some-sort. There are Mosques, Synagogues, Temples and Churches scattered throughout the city. There is a Spiritual thirst here among all age groups but with it much blindness.
This past week Craig and I have been engaging in many spiritual conversations with college students and young business men at a certain area in the city. Praise be to GOD we have had many opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ with many of these who are often either Hindu's or Muslim. At times it is intimidating to preach the good news of Jesus but I am reminded of the nature of the news we carry. STOP STRIVING! STOP WORSHIPING IDOLS! GOD HAS MADE A WAY FOR US! The simple and yet incredible news of the gospel astounds me. That we, hopeless sinners are invited to not only receive eternal life but invited to enter into a relationship with the creator of the Universe who loves us more than any human being could ever possibly love us...WOW. The good news not only effects our life beyond the grave but our daily lives here on earth. We are empowered through Jesus to live the best and most fulfilling lives today! We pray that the seeds we have sown will not return void. Everyone is desperately trying to satisfy their souls in some way or another but only Jesus will give them the fulfillment that they seek.  Pray that they would turn to Jesus and be set free from the snares of sin and death. That is probably the most saddening thing for me here. That people go on with their lives trying and trying to find fulfillment when if they would only turn to Jesus, they would find the truth and it would set them free.
Christ not only offers us Salvation for the life to come but He also offers us a better way to live in this life. In Christ we are made truly alive in this world. In Christ is the truest love the world has ever known and He continues to change lives all around the world. Pray with Craig and I for India and for the many pilgrims who pass by here searching for truth. Pray that they may find Jesus.
This week we will be teaching bible-stories and little English lessons at a slum school and then next week we are off to Thailand. Pray for Perseverance, love and sensitive hearts to the Holy Spirit and that we may be bold to share the gospel as we should be!
Grace and Peace

::A New Hope::

This past week has by far, been the most stretching, strenuous and exciting week in India thus far.
Craig and I made our way to a district about a 3~4 hour train ride up north to visit some villages.
Through NGO (non-government-association) work, many wells have been dug for believers in rural villages where clean water is hard to come by. It was great to see how providing for the physical need of water (sometimes for an entire village) empowered believers to share about the living water with there neighbors. Partnering with nationals as our translators, we traveled 1000 kilometers over the course of three days, splitting into groups and sowing gospel seed in un-reached villages. Craig, I and two other national partners spent the majority of our time walking through villages sharing with everyone/anyone who was willing to listen. A few times that consisted of sitting down amongst a  crowd, playing a tune on the guitar and then sharing the gospel message with un-believers. I have to say, that it is nerve-wrecking at times, just putting yourself out-there, but every single time we stepped out in faith, the Lord gave us the words to say and the boldness to do so.
I was encouraged today when reading the book of Acts by the account of when Peter and John were threatened by the Sanhedrin and told not to preach in the name of Jesus. After many threats they were  release and they gathered with fellow believers and prayed:

          "Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of GOD boldly"(Acts 4:30~31)

Christ love compels us to share the gospel with the lost. And it is this same Christ who gives us the boldness and strength to do so. Many are willing to listen but few are willing to follow. Pray that their eyes will be opened and that they will accept the good news that Christ offers them.
I have never seen anything quite like these villages in my life. They are agriculture based areas where people often have no electricity, where animals roam freely (monkeys, cows, wart-hogs, goats and giant snakes), where the roads are dirt and the houses are made of dried mud/bamboo and jute. By GOD's grace we were able to engage in many conversations where the entirety of the gospel was shared with Muslims and Hindu's. Along with the verbal message of hope, we distributed many tracks that further explained what it means to follow Jesus. Once we were even invited into a re-habilitation center for drug addicts to share about Jesus. GOD is moving, but there are still many who reject the gospel or just don't know it. Pray for the people of India. For the believers here to be bold and for the lost to turn from their idols and follow the One True GOD.

update 2 | mutton&mosques

::Praise::

Today has by far been the most fruitful and encouraging day since we have been here in India.
Craig, I and a national partner were able to go in the market place and proclaim the truth of the gospel with many Muslim and Hindu brothers. We were feeling discouraged and tired this morning, but our spirits are lifted. We have five contacts (phone numbers) of people who want to know more about Jesus! GOD is faithful. Please continue to pray for a bold spirit!
Grace and peace

::Piercing the Darkness::

We have just completed our first week in the land of India. In all my travels I cannot say that I have experienced anything quite like this place. It is a land rich with culture, tradition, and beauty. The traffic is unlike anything I have ever seen! The food is delightful, the History is mesmerizing and the heat is stifling.
In the midst of the positives there lies a sad reality that presses on us as we roam the streets. Many of the people here worship gods fashioned by their own hands and created in their own minds. The words of the prophet Isaiah are quite sobering as we see it played out before our eyes daily. Of wood he says, "It is a mans fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it" (Isaiah 44:15) Despite this, God is truly at work in this place. There have been thousands upon thousands of house churches birthed over the years, but there is still much work to be done. Hailing as the worlds second largest population, India is still largely unreached. Many people falsely believe that every path is a path to God whether it be Hindu, Christian or Islam. They are longing for peace and truth and yet the enemy has blinded their hearts. They sacrifice goats to false gods in vain, hoping that their sins will be forgiven.
Please pray that their eyes will be opened. That they will believe in and follow the One True GOD. That the Lord will guide our conversations and our paths. That we might be bold to share the Truth of the Gospel. That we would have wisdom to discern truth.
I will try to post more regularly. The days have been long, but we are excited to see how GOD moves. He is ALWAYS at work. 

Update 1 | airports&arrivals

::Our plans/GOD's plans::

I guess sometimes walking with the Lord could be likened to hiking in high mountain ranges. A sun shiny day can change into the fiercest scariest storm you've ever walked through in a matter of minutes when you're in high elevations...It amazes me how often we are so certain of our plans and then GOD suddenly directs our steps another way. I am learning to live as James teaches us to live from a more and more experiential perspective as the months role by this year. It is okay to have plans, but we are to always make them knowing that it is only "if the Lord wills" that we will go here or there and do this or that. Shortly after 1800$ was fraudulently taken from my account, my partner Craig had both his passport and visa stolen. These kind of sudden and abrupt events can very easily knock you off your feet! In the course of these happenings however, the strong assurance that GOD is completely in control has been guiding and encouraging us. It is just as it says in Proverbs 16:9, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

Thankfully I was able to be re-funded for the stolen funds and Craig is in the process of getting a visa again. We have Postponed the departure date to June 7th as opposed to the original date of June 3rd. 

GOD has been with us in all these changes and we trust and believe that He has a specific plan in all of this! Please join us in prayer for our hearts to be guided by His love and truth in all we do and also for those we will be sharing the love of Christ with this summer to come to know Him and love Him. 

We will be frequently updating this blog with updates, prayer requests, video's and pictures so stay connected~ May the Lord bless you all this summer in all your adventures

titus&craig

::All You Need is Love::

'By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another'-Jesus (john 13:35)

There are so many variables that cross our paths as we go about our days, trying to do everything right, and yet having to face the facts that we just can't be perfect. In fact, the more we learn it seems, the less we really know! For me this principle has especially been applied in the area of trying to live a life pleasing to GOD. I try and try and yet find myself still falling. What if I said that the Bible teaches that GOD's children need to focus more on being, rather than doing. Be who you already are as a new creation in Christ. When we try to do, is it out of an obligation or an overflow of who we are? If you are a child of GOD, then you are literally a NEW CREATION! Made anew in the likeness of a son or daughter who is no longer under the law of sin and death but under the law of the Spirit of life! If we try to do somehow to obtain merit and acceptance from GOD and people, then we will inevitably find ourselves unable to accomplish what is right. However, if we allow GOD to do the work in and through us, as His children and just BE who we are in Him, the result can only be the genuine love that overflows from Him to us and through Him in us to the ends of the earth. 

Galatians 5:14 "...serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

peace&love

::Where is Freedom?::

"Whenever anyone turns to the Lord the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." -2 Corinthians 3:16, 17

What is it that we think will give us/others freedom? In a world where oppression, suffering and tyranny is so rampant, this is a question that needs to be answered. True freedom is not just the absence of pain, war, oppression and rules... Freedom is not the ability to do whatever you want, but rather to be able to choose what will give you abundant satisfaction: namely to know and follow Jesus Christ. Any attempt at freedom apart from Christ can only result in bondage/slavery to that thing that is supposedly defined as freedom or a solution for freedom. True freedom is found only in Christ Jesus. May we find our freedom in the freedom giver, the Lord AlMIGHTY who alone can set the captive free.

::Where Our Feet Will Go::

Craig and I are getting really excited about India as the time of our departure draws near. The Call for missions however is not just for India. The gospel is needed everywhere!  Wherever the Lord has placed us is where we are called to represent Christ and for now that is here in America in our neighborhoods, dorm rooms and wherever else we may find ourselves. Missions is a lifestyle that we are all called to as Disciples of Jesus Christ. With these things in mind we are very ecstatic to have this unique opportunity to serve in a country where few know the good news of Jesus Christ.

Here is a list of things we will be doing in India during our two months there. 

• Conducting programs at schools, orphanages and for street kids in the slums. The programs will include sharing our testimonies through interpreters, playing music, teaching Bible stories, playing games etc. 

• Traveling to villages through connections with national partners (through missionary contacts) and sharing the gospel, telling Bible stories and sharing testimonies. 

• Assisting Kolkata Christian fellowship in medical clinics: We would help with pre-clinic interview and share the gospel through this medium. 

• Doing street evangelism at local universities, sharing our testimonies and handing out bible stories/ tracks.

• Assisting with Childcare of IMB missionaries and working with their youth. 

• We will also be traveling to Thailand for a short period of time to assist with a IMB Conference being held in Chiangmai. 

::The Journey::

"Press forward. Do not stop, do not linger in your journey, but strive for the mark set before you."         -George Whitfield

Life itself is a journey; it is embedded with the dreams of mankind to have significance, and to find love and acceptance. As a child of GOD every stop on the journey has the potential to change the lives of the oppressed, the searching, the lost and the countless weary travelers and spiritual seekers who have sold their lives in pursuit of purpose and happiness beyond the corruption, duplicity and incapabilities of society to fulfill the innate longing of the human soul. There is no doubt that the world is united in a pursuit for happiness, peace and truth. Everyone is on the search but few seem to find the treasure that they set out to find. Life is a journey, but a lonely wandering indeed without the reality of Jesus...of GOD. We can search through every continent, in every shrine and temple, and yet will continue unsatisfied because the truth remains that GOD alone is where real peace will be found. It is in following Him, accepting His gift of love, His gift of forgiveness and reconciliation, that we will truly find ourselves. Yes, I am headed for India, but as I have been preparing my mind and heart for the journey ahead I keep coming back to the question, "What does it really look like to live life here on earth, as a sojourner and as a child of the living GOD?" One thing is definite: that a life fully surrendered to GOD will be a life full of joy, rooted in purpose, full of love and full of a peace and a satisfaction that no pleasure of the world could ever compare with. Will it cost you your life? Yes. But in surrendering your life, there you will find life. Have you fully surrendered your life to GOD? So many people around me have already planned out their entire lives, have 'figured it all out' and in the process of believing that they have successfully planned their life of ease and leisure are on a fast track to living their whole lives for a dream that will have no significance in eternity. In the book of James it says, "Listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If it is the Lords will, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil."(4:13~15) Life is the journey, but let us not forget to live every moment of it, filled with the love and passion of Christ. The lost, the hungry, the weary, the broken, the misguided travelers are all around us. wherever our journey takes us they will be there. There will be struggles and victories, sorrows and joys, hardships and comforts along the path, yet Christ will be sufficient for us through it all. Join me in this life of a sojourner, living life here for the Lord while looking ahead to our home in heaven.

::A Sure Consistency::

2012 has run its course, been lived and made its place in history.  A new year has come and with it an endless list of uncertainties. I cannot help but be reminded of how fickle we really are as humans. I cannot control whether or not I wake up tomorrow, whether I will be healthy, whether I will be able to speak in the morning, where the chance of time will take me...the list goes on. I do not even know if I will live past this year or even past this day... Life is full of uncertainties. What is at bay this year for each of us is only known by GOD. No matter what plans we make or how detailed we make our schedules, the reality is that our lives are just a mist and we do not even know what will happen tomorrow. In the book of James it is written, "Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. In stead you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that'."
Only GOD knows what will happen this year and this is precisely my point. In the midst of such a chaotic world where so much uncertainty, fear and unanswered questions exist, there is One who will always remain consistent in our Lives. Our job as humans is not to have all the answers but to have faith in the One who does have all the answers. To love Him, follow Him, live for Him, trust in Him and delight in Him in the midst of all the valleys and peaks that life will bring us through. Will there be struggles and trials along the way? Indeed, there will be. Yet, as Christians out hope does not rest on our circumstances but rather in the GOD whom we believe in and worship. May our trust be in Him alone this year, no matter what we go through, in the joys and the sorrows He is Lord, He is our Savior, our shield and our hope forever. Praise HIM