Last week members of our team spent some time in Haiti’s central plateau, following up with a ministry partner facilitating our Church Savings Group program. The smiles on the faces of Pastor Marino, Esperanza, and Johnson remind me of the joy that the Lord periodically provides us through the faithfulness of other believers.

You can sense such an overflowing joy in the words of the Apostle Paul to the church in Thessalonica as he struggled to adequately express to God the thanks which filled his heart:

“For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account.” (1 Thessalonians 3:9)

Legend has it that recognizing her husband Charles Haddon Spurgeon needed some encouragement during a tough stretch of ministry, Susannah Spurgeon posted a passage of Scripture on the ceiling directly above Charles’s side of the bed, so that every morning and evening the image was there to greet and encourage him.

Likewise, I pray this image is an encouragement to you today.