The best laid schemes of mice and men

Often go askew,

And leave us nothing but grief and pain,

For promised joy!

These lines from the Scots poem of Robert Burns put it so well.

  In fact, just when we thought we were beginning see some light at the end of the tunnel in our preparations to transition back to the States, somebody put a “monkey into the wrench works” (as the old joke goes). Now we think we have sold our car to a brother in the church here. How we thank and praise the Lord for this!

But then we had four enthusiastic buyers lined up to purchase our piano; but for one reason or another, they all backed out.  We had a renter who planned to take over our apartment, purchase some of our furniture, and leave the rest for our landlady.

Then this week the bomb dropped when she telephoned us to break the bad news: the potential renters backed out, leaving us with the obligation to remove all of our furniture… all this within days of our leaving for the States. This added burden severely complicates the shipping of our goods, because we were already running at top speed.

ANOTHER BOMB.  We are partnering with Larry Lewis, missionary in Berlin, Germany. As a heavy contribution to the English sector, we are taking most of Harold’s library. Now here comes another Bomb: the transporter backed out of the shipping agreement, leaving us to seek a solution just days before we leave for the States. Pray especially for Larry, because he is in the thick of the battle! Another stress point: We also lost two credit cards in the mail and had to replace them but not in time to use them during our trek to the States.

PRAY FOR US that both shipments will be able to arrive at their destinations safely. Most of all, pray that they might be useful wherever they are. PRAY FOR US that we may go through the incredible stress despite our weakness; but with grace and kindness to others. PRAY FOR US that God will be praised through it all.

Thank for your kindness in this battle.

Harold and Enid Fowler