New Year, New Beginning

We are ever so close to the end of 2011. Just days now from 2012.  Much has happened in our world, both good, and not so good.  I don't want to reflect on the not-so-good because I know that even the not-so-good are things that God is using for our good.  I want to reflect on the oh so many blessings of 2011, sent straight from the loving hand of our Heavenly Father.  I'm sure that in the abundance of His goodness, I will inevitably leave out some of the multitude of His grace, mercy, love, provision....so right now I want to say thank you to my Heavenly Father for ALL that He has done in 2011, even the things that I fail to pen in this blog entry today. 

Looking back, I see water in a dry and thirsty land...wells in Karamoja, given in love by our Heavenly Father through the channels of generosity from His children whom He blessed with the means to provide.
 
I also see children receiving medical care, a young girl who was severely burned now able to lift her arms, not only to dress herself but to praise the very God who loves and cares for her.  I look back on trips to Uganda where we were able to show and share the love of God to the lost and hurting, to the poor and needy, to the sick and the dying.

I look back at our humble desire to buy land, build and orphanage, and a school......2011 was the seed that was planted...I know that 2012 will be the year that God waters and makes that seed grow into the reality of what is now a prayer vision.  So many gifts from the hands of our Father, so many reasons to be thankful, to trust, to wait in obedience. 
 

There are more sponsored children now, about 50 who are going to school, being fed, have a bed to sleep in, and under a mosquito net.  God is so good, so merciful, so able to do far more than we can ever think or imagine.  I praise Him for that.  I praise Him for what is yet to come, because, you see, He is always faithful, never changing, always ready to hear and answer prayer.  Father, thank you for all of Your blessings of 2011, and for all of the blessings we know you will pour out on us in 2012.  Make us useful, usable instruments of Your love and Your mercy.  Lord, make 2012 a year of unimaginable glory to You, and a year of tremendous spiritual growth in Mercy Uganda, and the lives this ministry touches.  We love You Lord, and thank You for loving us!