“What? Are they nuts?” I exclaimed as I drove past a couple of ladies who were out exercising in Southwest Michigan. While wearing full-body exercise outfits and reflective vests, they both were holding an umbrella in front of their faces to block the gusty 47-degree wind and rain. “Why would anybody choose to go out and exercise in weather like this?” I mused as I continued to drive.

Just then, I passed by some professional tree cutters to my right, one standing beside his bucket and boom truck next to a large oak that had overgrown its welcome. The men, wearing fluorescent yellow waterproof suits with hooded jackets, were certainly dressed appropriately for the conditions, yet I admit my first thought about them was one of pity. “Poor guys, having to work outside in weather like that!”
 
Now, I grew up in Michigan. So you would think that I would be used to this kind of weather. But after 22 years of serving as a frontier missionary in Thailand at the same northern latitude as Southern Mexico, I find such weather almost unbearable, especially since I don’t have much winter clothing.
 
As I continued driving to the AFM office, my thoughts about these “unfortunate” Michiganders began to change from thoughts of pity to actual admiration. I mean, obviously, work and exercise were not something they did just when they felt like it. Theirs were intentional actions, non-negotiable habits that, come sunshine or rain, they were faithful to perform.

Whenever and wherever I see commitment such as this—commitment to press on in a worthy endeavor, regardless of inconvenience or hardship—I am impressed. As a child of God and a long-term AFM missionary, I often plead for the strength and stamina to intentionally live out such commitment in my mission field, whether “in season or out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). Preaching the gospel is a privilege and a joy! At times, it’s also a heavy responsibility. But it is rewarding when we press through the rains and storms that the enemy stirs, and we see lives changed and souls saved.

I am forever grateful for God’s sustaining grace which has carried us along these past 22 years. I am also profoundly thankful to each of you for your commitment to pray, serve and financially support our work in Thailand. You have been a part of our frontier missions team through rain or shine. Thank you for the difference you have made. By God’s grace, though some may think that we are nuts, we will continue to live out our commitment to serving God in Southern Thailand, whether in sunshine or rain, until God firmly establishes His church there and He calls us to some other place, or the Son breaks through the dark clouds of this world and leads us into that eternal Son-shiny day.

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