~ Mr. Slither ~

I unexpectedly met up with some gray, huge, long, slithery creature this afternoon just outside of our restrooms. "Mr. Slither, you were way too close for comfort. 3-5 feet from me is too much. I'm glad you vanished away from me in a flash, but please show up again at the right time when some of our expert boys can put an end to you. You make me a little nervous. I hope you'll get the message somehow even though you'll never see this news report about you."

God saved me from getting bitten by one of them creatures before. I have no need to be enwrapped in fear. His hand is still over me, and everyone else around, just them same as He was then. That is so comforting. Hope Mr. Slither will find his end soon.

This reminds me of something that I've wanted to share with you all for a long time. I remember, just before my family and I came over here in 2011, some dear well-meaning people would mention about the dangers of working in a place like this. Those dangers included deadly snakes. I wasn't that afraid; however, after I saw one or two venomous snakes for the first time, and participating in killing one of them (a banded crate), what had mentioned to us before began to sink in. One thing I knew was that I was here in the foreign field and was not going to leave just because of such dangers. I had to make a decision what I would do with those fears. I thought of people that cringe of going overseas because they're terrified of snakes. And some will allow themselves to be so controlled by there fears that they'd rather "be safe" than to go where God wants them to go. That's scary. That all made me very sad. I decided that I would not allow these and other dangers to hinder my work for God. I asked God to take my fears and to strengthen my trust in His faithful care and protection. After all, wasn't He the one that sent me here? Absolutely! Then certainly I can trust my life in His hands. To do other than that would be foolishness. This is one of the first lessons that God had taught me when I first came.

In short, I just want to encourage you to remember that the best place that you, or I, could be is the place that God puts us in. Don't let dangerous creatures or other life-threatening things, or even people, keep you from doing the work that God has commissioned you to do.

My friends, let's be faithful today to do the work He's placed in our hands. Let the devil know that His distractions can't hold us back.