Rejoicing in trials

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Being back at college brings trials: I travel by motorbike taxis, I have an App to help find the ride called Pathao. In the morning, sometimes, it is difficult to get a ride. I may wait 15-20 minutes for a rider to pick up my request. We then battle through peak hour traffic for 30-40 minutes. The college is old and filthy, the toilets disgusting. The rooms are cold in winter and boiling in summer, the windows face the sun and the whiteboard reflects the sun making it difficult to see the board. We sit on planks of wood for seats. The room echoes. The lesson is in difficult Nepali describing the geography of Nepal. I return home in bumper to bumper traffic.

Why am I there? To learn Nepali and about Nepal, to obtain a visa but most important, there are foreigners who the Lord loves and wants to know.

There are times when I am unwell due to some bug or other, tired or the weather is torrid. There are other problems that arise: protests, strikes and no show of the teacher. There are unfortunate weather events and possible earthquakes, but then there are times when, like now, I awake in the night and sense the beauty of the Lord. His love is amazing.

I know I am called to endurance. The Lord gave me a scripture out of Hebrews when I was a young mum in my 20’s. I am now in my 70’s and still enduring. Here it is:

“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭36‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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