Orphanos Foundation

A Fragrant Offering

posted by Richard and Ximena Roseland — March 3rd, 2010

Well, these past few weeks have been an interesting time in our lives, filled with occurrences that have drawn us into the arms of Christ. We are grateful for these last few months in the US before we leave, but they have definitely been filled with different stresses.

 First, I have to brag on Wayne Sneed (the CEO of Orphanos) and recommend a book that has changed and shaped the Roseland family over the past few weeks. Wayne gave us the book called "Family Worship" by Donald S. Whitney. It is an extremely short book of only 56 pages, but it radically changed my view of family devotions and has thus enriched our family life. Since reading the book, Ximena, Santiago and I have been able to enjoy reading His word, singing praises to our King, and coming before His throne in prayer on a daily basis as a family. It has truly changed our family dynamic and we are so grateful for the ability that we have to grow in our relationship with God as a family. As you know, we are a young family and we are continuing to grow as individuals and as this newly shaped family as well. We are excited to see how our family worship will change whenever Gustavo becomes a part of our family as well.

 Second, we are so thankful that Lindsey Dunn was able to visit us for these past few days. For those of you who don't know, Lindsey was a fellow Orphanos volunteer at Pan de Vida who lived with us for the last 5 months that we were in Mexico. It was great being able to see her for the first time in almost a year and for the sacrifice that she made to come visit us.

 Third, I had my feet knocked right out from under me and I know it was God's doing. About two weeks ago, I received a call that our biggest supporter would no longer to be able to support us. Immediately, I (the previous accounting major) began doing calculations... "Now that means that we are lacking another $300 of monthly support on top of the $600 in monthly commitments that we already needed...putting us at $900...HOW ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO RAISE THAT IN 2 MONTHS?!?!?" And then it hit me...I had been relying on my own strength and had pushed my faith and confidence in God aside. He is the provider of our needs and He is not inhibited by time constraints or earthly money. And even though I feel like pulling out my hair, I rest in Him and the confidence that He will provide in His timing...no matter how frustrating it may be.

 And so as we are beginning to look at what things we are going to take with us to Ecuador, how we are going to get the Ecuadorian visas for Gustavo and I, looking into renting a house and buying a car, raising the extra $900 in monthly commitments that we need before we can go, planning fundraising meetings, and many other things like Santiago teething in the midst of everything. But I know that God will take care of those in due time. As Calvin Coolidge said, "If you see ten troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that nine will run into the ditch before they reach you."

 So in the meantime, I rest in these words: "We will seek you first Lord, you will hear our voices, early in the morning and late in the night. We will sing you praises, giving you the glory, offering our lives to you a holy sacrifice." My prayer is that our family will continue to offer our lives as a sacrifice from the morning (which can sometimes start at 3 AM) until the point of time we go to sleep.

 Please join us in prayer for the many things that must take place before we can go to Ecuador in April. But most of all, please pray that our family will be a fragrant offering before the Lord, pleasing in His sight. Thank you.

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