David and I both try to post things that are learning experiences or things we struggle with packaged in humor because we would rather laugh than cry.  Lately, I have been crying rather than laughing.  I’ve heard many times that the number one reason missionaries struggle on the mission field is due to interpersonal issues with other missionaries.  I couldn’t understand or fully comprehend how this could be such a problem when I first heard it.

I’ve been reading the book Serving as Senders.  I highly recommend the book.  In the chapter entitled Prayer Support it says

that one may become discontented with other workers.  Discontent is putting it mildly!  Radical interpersonal relationship problems might be more accurate.  This is the number one cause of missionary failure.  Why?  Because Jesus said, “They will know we are His disciples by our love for one another.”  John 13:35  So here is a major area of attack by the enemy.  If he can destroy our unity he will destroy our testimony.

I would like to ask for your prayers in this specific area.  Lately we have taken many punches from the enemy in this area.

This morning as I was steeping in hurt, anger, frustration – I was called outside by Jonah to come see the toad he caught.  Well more than the toad caught my eye.  Although we live in a rainforest region and have so many beautiful plants and flowers surrounding us, sometimes we get used to our surroundings and don’t see the beauty.   What I saw this morning was a single, beautiful flower that has sprouted up out of our concrete gutter.  It reminded me to keep trying to bloom wherever I’m planted, even in tough spots.