Today is my birthday. It would only be natural to think about celebrating. God has given me another year of life where He has again lavished His grace upon me and my family. However, my birthday is not the only reason I have been thinking about celebrating.
Almost a year ago my wife went to the doctor for what we thought was an ulcer on her tongue. Instead we found out that my wife had a rare tongue cancer called Squamous Cell Carcinoma. She completed all of her treatments this past February and has begun the healing process. However, after a routine PET Scan the doctors discovered a small mass on her thyroid. There was some concern about what the mass might be so additional tests were ordered. After a semi-anxious week, Friday we received the great news that the tests were negative. Talk about your reasons to celebrate!
This past year has been difficult but even in the midst of the difficulty we can celebrate the fact that God is still in control and is very well aware of our circumstances. We celebrate His precious promise to never leave us or forsake us.
Recently, we had great cause to celebrate in the men’s ministry as well. One of our men received his certificate for his GED and later that week he and another resident completed the final portion of our program called Career Development. Haven of Rest now employs one of these men, while the other is actively seeking employment. Yet another man completed our morning Life Application Bible Study. For some these may seem like minor accomplishments, but we see them as monumental milestones that deserve to be celebrated.
As great as these reasons are for celebrating, the best reason is the eternal difference God is making in the lives of men and women who receive our services. God has used this ministry to lead a people to make decisions for Christ—I know I am one of them. In a similar manner one of the men now on our program came to know of Jesus and His life transforming grace while here at Haven of Rest. In Luke 15 we are told that the angels in heaven celebrate and rejoice when “one sinner repents.”
Those of us who are on staff here at the mission are so thankful that we get to celebrate what God is doing; but, we also say thank you and celebrate you for your partnership in this ministry.
Jason Hubbard
Chaplain’s Assistant
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