Hope does not disappoint.

The ACCi Mission Conference was an intense time, so much to learn in Mission and so much more to impart. After nearly 10 years of attending the events, I can safely say that God always shows us more than our minds can imagine. While we certainly enjoyed the delightful sights of Phuket, (when not in conference). I know that the enemy loves to play with our minds.

It is easy to go down the "What if" road, but that means that the enemy wants to play those thoughts in our head to take up valuable real estate, instead of focussing on what God says. His words rang loudly in my head from Romans 5:5 (NIV) "And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" God has given us all we need.

We know that there are 'tangles' as one pastor prophesised over us in the final days we were in conference, and we know by our strength, we can do little. But God in His gracious and infinite mercy, has endowed us with joy, love and all we need, we are remaining still and patient in this season. Here are a few things I have learnt over the time we were away.

Firstly, God always gives us hope like in the scripture above to enable us to face the challenges of learning a language, maintaining health, work and mission life. Secondly, we are still part of the ACCi family! I am so moved by my dear friends (and new ones!) that have cheered us on despite all that we have faced. As David put it in Psalms 18:2 "With my God I can scale a wall. In your ... your help I can advance against a troop" .

Lastly, there is nothing God cannot do and we know this because He has done amazing things through us His humble vessels. James and I can not take credit for all that we have accomplished this year. That is all God and His Holy Spirit guiding us every step of the way. We have tried to live out our motto "And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,  and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:23-24 ESV).

If there is any time you feel that you are forgotten, reflect, remember and rejoice in what God has placed in your hearts. There is always a reason.