How God Surprises Us! - Creation's Hope

\”…Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.\”
Ephesians 3:20-21

During our staff meeting this week, we were challenged to remember ways in which God has not only answered prayers and blessed us in the past few months, but also ways in which He has surprised us \”according to His riches in glory\”. Our time together in the Word finished with one of our teachers praying Eph. 3:14-21. I have to admit that at the time I didn\’t \’let\’ God\’s Word challenge me. I guess He didn\’t need my permission though, because the challenge to think of His surprises and His Word that was prayed in faith keep returning to me. Let me mention some of the things that God is reminding me of:

We experienced a month of eye-opening giving to this ministry – our largest since being on the field fulltime. This followed our lowest month during which we wondered if we might need to consider coming home to make more friends. What a reminder to us of Who really owns those cattle on those thousand hills! Thank you to those Who were (and are) a part of this surprise!
Our renter has voluntarily left on his own (after 5 months of not paying rent) without causing any property damage.
We\’re seeing obvious growth and change in the lives of some of our Christian students, as well as increased interest in some Who don\’t know the Lord – yet.
God is providing teachers for Sahel Academy. Mike will join our staff the last week in February to take over the Phys. Ed. classes so that our director (high school phys. ed.) and principal (elementary phys. ed.) can be freed from teaching those classes.
Our necessary ‘experiment’ in online education is working better than expected. Because we don’t have an English teacher for our Senior English class, our students are taking this class online from Sevenstar Academy. It seems that they may be actually liking the experience.

$\"Senior$ We know that these answers to prayers are not only our answers, but yours as well. Once again we thank you for praying, and send along these requests:

A new dependable renter
Continued support surprises as our promised support is actually lower than what is needed for us to stay on the field
Family health concerns
Sahel Seniors in their last semester in Africa; some are looking towards life in their home countries while families are still here in Africa
Still more teachers…pray for English, French, and Computer teachers. You can see the complete list of needs on our website at http://www.sahelacademy.com/staff. We also have needs in the administrative area.
Support for committed staff members who want to be here but don\’t have the needed resources – yet.
Added strength as our work loads are heavier than we’ve ever known them

We ask that you pray the above verses (Eph. 4:14-21) for us. We want what is promised in God’s Word. We commit to pray the same for you.