Anthony

We have had a guest for the last few days. Anthony is a Bible College student from Canada who escaped the -30 temperatures to spend Spring Break in Honduras. It is kind of funny that he ended up with us, since we didn't know him at all. He attends the home church of another missionary who wasn't going to be available, and asked us if we would be willing to have Anthony with us. We agreed, not knowing exactly what was going to happen.
Like just about all of the young people that have passed our way in the last few years, Anthony is just plain delightful. He has been a blessing to everyone he has met, been willing to do what ever we ask and asked thought-filled questions.
I don't know if God has decided to especially bless us in our contacts with the younger generation, or what. The things I read would make me think that young people as a whole are a pretty self-centered, shallow lot (just like a lot of older folks, I guess). That just hasn`t been our experience.
I don't envy at all the challenges young adults face. The economic situation makes it hard for even the best of the best to get their foot in the door for jobs, the declining moral climate makes living for Jesus a tremendous challenge, the violence everywhere makes the world a scarey place to live. And yet, there are Nathans and Anthonys and groups like the one we had last year from Millar that demonstrate the fact that God hasn`t closed up shop and stopped working. There are young people with gifts and hearts dedicated to serving God. I am impressed with the quality I see in the few who have made their way into the "wilds" of Honduras, as well as those who are blessing our own children with their Godly friendships.

The future is certainly uncertain. The challenges are huge, but there are people taking on the challenge in God's Name.

God bless them.