“I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them.” Is. 42:16
“A man’s steps are from the Lord…” Prov. 20:24

Unexpected... Experiencing God's blessing in changed plans

Susan and I take comfort in the truth related above, so often taught in Scripture and experienced in our own lives. When I returned from Ghana in February, I already had plans laid out for the upcoming weeks. But in these past two months, God has guided us in unexpected directions.

We have written in the past about our growing responsibility for our elderly parents. Susan’s father, Jack Scott, is in a skilled care facility near us and at least one of us is there to visit him nearly every day. As I returned from Ghana, we were expecting the Lord to call Jack home very soon. So, I cancelled my plans to return to Ghana at the end of March, assuming we would be busy with end of life arrangements for him. However, Jack has rebounded and seems to be holding his own. We thank God for His grace, but it was unexpected.

My mother, Ruth Steere, is also in a skilled care facility in Pontiac, Illinois. Late last year, I applied to the state of Illinois for Medicaid funding for her care – something I was assured was a mere formality. We supplied all the financial information requested, but her request was denied! After an appeal and more paperwork (this is the government, after all!) her case was referred to the Office of the Inspector General. They wanted MORE paperwork and documentation, which required numerous phone calls and a trip to Illinois. So, unexpectedly, we are now in April and her case remains undecided. God knew I would need to be in the U.S. for this time, since I am the only one who can act on Mom’s behalf. Please pray that Mom’s application will be approved.

Jack's situation and Mom's Medicaid appeal, along with the economic situation in Nigeria, have caused me to postpone my usual May trip to Nigeria. However, the conference in Emure WILL take place in my absence. In an unexpected development, several of the ELI-trained Nigerian leaders have agreed to travel to Emure and teach the conference themselves! This is exactly what we have been working and praying toward: national leaders taking responsibility for the equipping of other nationals. Please pray for Gideon, Sam and Tolu as they prepare to teach the third week in May.

On another front, the much-loved senior pastor at our church – Covenant Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga – resigned effective the end of December. He had only been with us for about 15 months, so his resignation took everyone by surprise. As a result, I have been preaching more regularly than usual. I love to preach, but this much study and writing was unexpected. If you would, please ask the Lord to bless His Word as I preach this coming Sunday.

Since Thanksgiving, Susan has had the great joy and privilege of caring for our grandson, Grey Gibson, while his mother (our daughter Krista) works at Mission to the World in Atlanta. So, every Sunday afternoon, Susan drives down to Atlanta and returns Wednesday evening. Krista has been busy planning the Area Retreat for MTW missionaries in Europe, to take place in Greece this month. It turned out that one of the missionary families has a special needs child, and Krista asked her mom (whose training is education of special needs children) to travel to Greece to help care for this child. As a result, Susan will be leaving April 23 for an unexpected ministry in Greece. Please pray for her, for the Gibson’s (including Grey), and for our other daughter, Anna, who will all be actively involved in this ministry.

I could go on, but you get the idea. The Lord knows what is best for us and He continues to faithfully guide us on a path we do not know. We are thankful that unexpected does not mean undirected!

It appears that most of my overseas travel in 2017 will come in the second half of the year. As of now – knowing that the Lord is free to change our direction – here is what I have planned:
· Finish teaching Church History II at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta. (An opportunity to equip leaders in the US!) I teach two weekends in late April and early May and then will have lots of papers to grade.
· Travel to Belarus June 15-26. I will be part of a group that will present a number of concerts and work in a camp that ministers to orphans. I will also be preaching and looking into possibilities for ELI to help train pastors and church leaders in Belarus.
· Return to Ghana in early September to teach in the MINTS programs in Sunyani and Kumasi, as well as conduct some conferences.
· Other possibilities that are awaiting confirmation: a teaching trip to South America, a return to Cochabamba, Bolivia in late September, and a Fall trip to Nigeria to teach several conferences.

Thank you for joining with us in prayer. May the Lord continue to bless each of you.
For Christ’s Kingdom,
Dan