January 2020 Newsletter
January 2020
At this time of the year, the most logical message for this newsletter would be to write something uplifting, encouraging and hopeful about the New Year, 2020! . . .But, I don’t think it’s possible to look ahead without also looking back and noticing how we have progressed: what went well, what didn’t go so well, what we’ve learned and what we have discovered we still need to learn.
One thing that has become very clear to all connected with A Future and a Hope Counseling Ministry is that we have been blessed in 2019! – From the move-in to the new building in April to the opportunities we have had to connect with the local community we serve, we are humbled at what God has done in and through our work alongside Him and one another this past year.
We have been humbled to have received many referrals from those we have helped in the past. We have seen God at work in many situations, where, because of His healing touch, there has been healing, restoration of relationships and victory in Christ for the brokenness that plagues us all in this life.
We have been amazed at the generosity of many who have supported this work through their prayers, volunteer efforts and financial support. We have marveled at the talents shared to help us settle in our new facility. We are blessed to have welcomed two new Board members to the Board of Directors – John Duhon and Chris Bates. We have been blessed with the addition of a new Executive Assistant – Ana Gonzalez – and we look forward to getting to know these new team members better and to our shared journey of ministry together. (Check out our website for pictures and bios of our new team members at: afutureandahopeministries.com)
We were surprised and honored to have been recognized by Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner, R. Jack Cagle, for the contributions A Future and a Hope Counseling Ministry is making to the community as we were invited to Commissioner’s Court, where a Resolution was read to the gathered Commissioners, signed and presented to us! – And there are many more blessings, too numerous to mention, that God has provided this past year.
So what didn’t go so well? . . .There were a few “hiccups” as we have been settling into our new facility: Trying to learn a new phone system, issues with the security cameras, false security alarms going off in the middle of the night, discovering that 11-foot ceilings, while lovely, make it difficult to operate the built-in attic ladder. ..And yet, all of these issues pale in light of the numerous blessings we have received.
And what have we learned? We have learned that in all the twists and turns – the good, the bad and the challenges of this ministry in 2019, God has been with us! He has loved us, guided us, provided for us and blessed us. We have learned that we can, indeed, be still before Him and trust and believe that He is God and we are not. We have learned that no matter what happens, we are His and He will bring us victoriously to the other side of our challenges. We have had it re-confirmed for us, that this is, after all, His ministry: we are workers in His ministry, instruments in His hands, as He ministers to His people through our efforts.
What have we discovered that we still need to learn? Well, it’s a lesson we have had before us since the beginning of this call to service – and we believe that God will keep this before His people as it is an important lesson to learn. In the frailty of our human nature, we still need to learn how to set aside our own agendas, as we tend to ask God to come and help us. We need to, instead, learn to seek to notice where He is at work and learn how we may join Him in His work. It is in this surrender to His leading us in life, that we are truly blessed – now, and in all our New Years! We pray that you will notice where God is at work in your life and decide to join Him!
