The Tabernacle Community

From Ina De Craene: Belgium, August 13, 2008.

Steps Redirected.

Dear Friends,

I have experienced the reality of the wise words in Proverbs 16:9 "The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps." (NRSV). To the best of our ability we try to make plans, but God is the one guiding our steps as we are going, and the outcome is not always what we thought it would be!

The New Testament letter of James reminds us of the same thing: "Now listen, you who say, "Tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, ..." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?..."( James 4:13,14).

So we face each day in expectation and humility, dependent on God's grace and goodness, for help in the options we have chosen.

As I write this, I should have been in Togo. I bought a round-trip air ticket to Togo in January to leave on August 11. Prices were still low at that time. And I was all set to go. But several weeks before my departure, I got a flu that robbed me of health and strength. I went to the doctor twice, but the medicine he prescribed didn't help much. Several days before the scheduled departure I felt that God was saying (through many and various indications) that this was not a good time for me to go. So with much regret, I cancelled my plans to leave for a month, to visit our Togolese family and friends.

The day I was to take the plane from Brussels airport, God confirmed that I had heard him correctly and that I had made the right decision. That day the European news reported that there was much chaos at the airport. The baggage handlers had gone on an unexpected strike. Flights had been cancelled, diverted, or delayed. There were many passengers stranded in Brussels. So it seems very likely that if I had been able to leave on the plane, it probably would have been without my luggage, and I might not have been able to make all my connections. I was so happy to know that I had avoided a very stressful situation right from the start.

So what am I doing now? Well, in July, I received the results of both my pre-doctoral course work at the university, and the results of my thesis defense. I passed with flying colors. I am eligible to enter the next phase: the doctoral program in theology. I have been working hard, with the help of my directing professor (promoter, we call him here) to map out a proposal for a doctoral dissertation I hope to work on in the next six years. The proposal has to be in before August 20, and a committee will vote on my acceptance or rejection in mid-September.

My studies at the university have not been the only thing that has been keeping me busy. My father, Johannes Weiss, has been here, living with us since the end of June. He is an active 80-year-old. He fills many hours on his computer, writing articles for his blogspot, talking to family via skype, and playing bridge (at the Leuven Bridge Club, if they can find him a partner.) He enjoys "home" cooking and so there are many evenings when we are four around our small kitchen table. Daniel, our Chinese adopted grandson, is often with us as well, after he gets out from summer play school. Daniel is turning five next week.

Before I go, I would like to ask you to pray for the following:

n Bob and his work in the Wycliffe-Belgium office. He often gets discouraged because the office is not "flourishing."

n Robin, Daniel's mother, who is planning to marry a Dutchman named Francis soon. We are praying for Francis' entry into the kingdom.

n Our friends and family in Togo who will be very disappointed not to receive the various forms of encouragement I was planning to bring to them.

n Assana, our Togolese daughter, who at this point is due to have a baby. The birth is overdue already.

n And pray for me, that the Lord would open this door in front of my current path, which is the doctoral program in theology. I hope to write more on the Apostle Paul and do a study of his speech in Acts 22.


I would like to share some more encouraging words from the Scriptures, especially for you, my lady friends, (and for me as well):

"My child, do not let these escape from your sight:
keep sound wisdom and prudence,
and they will be life to your soul
and adornment for your neck.
Then you will walk on your way securely
and your foot will not stumble.
If you sit down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden panic,
or of he storm that strikes the wicked:
for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught." Prov. 3:21-26.


Thank you for your support and friendship!

Ina
in Belgium
street address: Zavelputstraat 38, B-3020 Herent, Belgium