God’s Ways are Mysterious and Always Perfect!
Dear Friends:
Marilyn is an enigma. Struggling to overcome a troubled past and build a future for herself, she has at times relied on the Lord, and at times relied on herself. The CFU ministry in France has had ample opportunity to work with troubled students (and others) over the last twenty years, but we firmly place our trust in the Lord as we continue to serve Him! Thank you for your prayers and support gift this month as we rely on Him to provide through friends like you.
Marilyn was a CFU student in Montpellier four years ago. She had fought depression on and off in her life-France has more people on anti-deppressants than any other country–and she was also estranged from her father and mother. Phil worked diligently to reconcile her to her parents before she finished school and went on to teach German in Normandy. We’ve stayed in touch and Phil has counseled with her when times got tough.
But this year, Marilyn’s problems overwhelmed her once again and she went into a deep depression. She called us from the hospital and told us she had had to give up her teaching position. Now she is back home near Avignon with her parents, trying to pick up the pieces of her life.
It is true that God works in mysterious ways, for the Lord worked out the reconciliation with her parents and gave her several years to build a better relationship with them before she needed to move back home! As Isaiah 55:8 reminds us, His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways!
Marilyn joined us for our spring retreat in March. Phil’s Bible studies and the fellowship with the students really meant a lot to her! There is always a lot of laughter during the retreats, and we watched her emerge from her “shell” until she was laughing and joking with the rest of them! Marilyn is still emotionally fragile, but when she called to thank us, she commented how much the retreat had helped her. Now that she is living at home, she will be able to participate occasionally in the CFU activities.
Thank you for your prayerful support of Marilyn as well as the rest of the CFU students! And thank you again for your timely gift for the ministry this month! We are grateful that you stand with us for the Lord!
Love in Christ,
Phil and Sally
