Voices of the Faithful - January 19th (page 24)
Depending on God when Homesick

“I have taken you from the ends of the earth and called you from its most distant
places. I said to you, ‘You are my servant. I’ve chosen you; I haven’t rejected you.
Don’t be afraid, because I am with you. Don’t be intimidated; I am your God. I
will strengthen you. I will help you. I will support you with my victorious right
hand. … Don’t be afraid; I will help you.’ ” Isaiah 41:9–10, 13b (NIV)

During my appointment process and training before heading overseas,
I had doubts about God calling me to international missions.
I had experienced homesickness while at a boarding school for the
deaf while living in another state as a short-term missionary. I did not
want to experience these feelings overseas. Also, I feared I would experience
loneliness on the field, since I use sign language to communicate.
I was anxious about the future.

I came to God’s Word searching for His promises. He led me to
Isaiah 41:9–10, 13, and I was humbled by His promise that He would
help me at all times. I am learning to trust Him and to allow Him to
help, strengthen and support me.

I have been on the field for more than two years and am amazed
at how faithful God is. He brought me in contact with deaf people for
fellowship, worship and ministry. I have peace, knowing that He desires
me to share His love with the deaf.

Yes, I still experience homesickness, but the Lord sustains me
through these times. Now I have shared these verses with deaf believers
so they may know that God will provide His help for them like He
does for me.

—Sheri, Sub-Saharan Africa

Father, strengthen Your servants who are homesick, and meet all their emotional
needs. Thank You that You will never leave us. I ask You also to bring
Your Word and messengers to the hearing impaired of the world so that they
might know You. Amen.

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Read more "Voices of the Faithful" devotions from Sub-Saharan Africa.