For a month, our mission team had been sleeping in $5 hotel rooms, dealing with occasional ants in our beds, crumbling walls, unclean hallway bathrooms, and other run-down facilities.
In one location the conditions were especially difficult. The rooms had no fans and the weather was especially humid. Crime and insects kept us from opening the windows, so you can imagine how hard it was to sleep. We felt like we were in an oven.
I was not thankful for that room!
Then something wonderful happened: one of our team members who knew the language shared Christ with a hotel employee, and he became a believer!
Seeing his face as he held his new Bible was "a 1 Thessalonians 5:18 moment" for me:
“Give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Even though this event happened over twenty years ago, I never think of that hot, humid hotel room without thanksgiving. After all, it resulted in great rejoicing in heaven (Luke 15:7).
Have you ever had a "5:18 moment" - a time when you experienced thanksgiving in the midst of a difficult circumstance?
* I've withheld the location of this event so as not to offend citizens of the country we visited.
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I try to remember, some times more successfully than others, that no matter in what circumstances I find myself, God can use me for His purposes.
ReplyDeletePraise God, what a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing and for the encouragement.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hopeflourishes.com/in-the-presence-of-the-great-i-am
Wow, great story.
ReplyDeleteBe content, whether rich or poor, full or hungry. I have spent many months and years in poor countries, so I can relate to the 5$ hotels rooms :) It made me appreciate my home in Holland even more!
Such a good story!! God is so good even in circumstances that are uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteWOW! What a eye opening story :) God works is the most amazing ways!
ReplyDeletea wonderful story, Gail! thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDelete