cast your cares

“Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Psalm 55:33

I have been meditating on this particular verse this month. What does the verb “to cast” look like in my life? What "cares” are on my heart lately? Who is the Lord in my life? What does the promise of, “…and He will sustain me” mean to me right now?

I have felt discouraged at times this month. I had tonsillitis and was unable to eat properly and the network provider issues prevented me from meeting with my counsellor, participating fully in my life group & virtual prayer meetings and connecting with my family & friends from back home. I have to laugh, because even as I type this now, the electricity cut out - perpetuating the already unstable network connectivity! The ruthlessness of poverty and its impact on the wellbeing & quality of life of people have been overwhelming at times. The constant changes from the pandemic that challenge our norms & expectations have riddled me with disappointment and I struggle to relinquish control of my plans, expectations & hopes to the Lord.

I (as an enneagram type 7, if that means anything to you 😛) am notoriously bad at “sitting with my feelings,” or fully allowing myself to feel the weight and depth of my emotions and circumstances. It’s a far easier escape to immerse myself in busy activity, novel experiences & intensity of any kind (as long as it’s not a negative emotion or feeling!) But, being sick for a part of this month and not having access to the internet for easy escapes & distractions pushed me into a space of contemplation, solitude & silence before the Lord. It has made me reflect & meditate more intentionally on God’s truths. It’s not always easy to be grateful for life’s trials, but I am grateful to be on this continuous journey of learning dependency & surrender unto the Lord. I am grateful for God’s promise of His faithfulness & the confidence the Holy Spirit gives me. In all things, I can still say “Yes & Amen” to what God says is true, to declare, “Yes, Lord. I agree with what you say is true.”

In Philippians 4:12-13, Paul writes, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”

The Primary 2 Class at the ECG Mission School in Tolon. I have been going to the nearby town of Tolon three times a week to work with this class.

We have continued to learn about “The Greatest Story Ever Told” with the children in Nyankpala in the afternoons.

The Nyankpala ECG congregation has nearly tripled in size since the university students have resumed their lectures. All of the students are out-of-towners and it has been encouraging to see a group of young men & women come together to form a community of believers in a place where there are not many Christians.

Thank you for being my community of supporters who encourage me & covers me in prayer. I appreciate the space I’m given through this monthly ministry update to reflect, process & verbalize each month’s happenings. I am constantly reminded of God’s love for me as He shows me His care in such personal ways that speak to my heart, and He often does that through your words of encouragement and understanding.

God bless,

Janice Wong