Quicksand!

Remember the story of Emily slipping on the bridge over the quicksand?  She barely got her leg back and did not get her shoe back!Well, two weeks later BletJaw and I returned over that same bridge because we must go to NeLeeGwee village.  Someone was very sick there.  I was apprehensive as I approached, remembering how dangerous it was the last time.  It must be worse now because the rain had not let up.  This time my apprehension was well founded, because the small area of quicksand was now sprawled out over the pathway as well and the river was wider.  Instead of a bridge there was one small log that was floating alongside of the posts, held there only by the flow of the water.   Beneath that muddy water was the horrible quicksand growing wider and deeper as the mudslide on the mountain behind it sent down more mud.  BletJaw went first so he could encourage me across.  Little did I know that his "encouragement" was taking a video of me in my struggle!  ...And don't forget, we must come back this same way at the end of the day!As I look back upon the rainy season experiences, I recall the great mercy of the Lord!  He has carried me upon His shoulders for sure. In 31/2 months of rain our walking time averaged a minimum of 26 hours every 2 weeks. -And that is NOT your "stroll in the park" walking.  During that time, the more mountains I climbed the more energy I had!   Even after the 7 hour hike back home I was so happy, enthused, and ready to take a bath and cook our evening meal.I recall Deuteronomy 29:8 "I have led you...and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot."  This is the same for my feet!  Usually in the rainy season our feet crack, bleed and rot, but I never had any problems with my feet, not one tiny spot of open skin or aching bone or muscle- though they were exposed to water and mud the entire time we walked!  That is just not normal - that is a miracle. Just as much a miracle is the fact that in over 3 years here in Thailand I have only experienced one day of downtime with a fever.  All the other days I have felt great.  This is no credit to me, only the awesome way God takes care of  us.  The joy in my heart cannot be measured.  Jesus says to me:  "The strength of those who love and serve God will be renewed day by day." How faithful and abiding He is!When it is my time to suffer sickness, pain or death, may I praise Him just the same.  Whatever circumstance or situation comes my way in this life, I  have the assurance that it has gone through His hands first and I can glorify God, because  I know I am only called upon to bear it in order to bring the most honor and glory to His name!   Oh we can trust Him fully all our days!