Hope on the Journey

We are all on a journey. We are like Christian of John Bunyan’s classic allegory, Pilgrim’s Progress. We are each on a journey to see the King. Along the way there are shinning moments of beauty and joy and deep valleys of struggle, doubt and fear. There are also many miles we must faithfully walk with mundane and ordinary trudging along the path. 

Our Sanctuary Inn missionary guests come to us often weary on the journey they have been walking. They share their stories with us and we hear their many struggles. Weariness caring for overwhelming needs of the lost, the hurting, the broken. Communication breakdowns with team members that has led to much pain. So many goodbyes to family, friends, to being known. Deep concerns for their children and how they will cope and grow with much instability. Doubts of what God may have next for them on their journey. Wondering if the journey really is supposed to be this hard. Did they miss a turn along the way? Do they still know the way?

Here at Sanctuary Inn we are honored to hear our guests’ stories and to be like the character Hopeful in Pilgrim’s Progress. Hopeful is the one who points Christian to the King in the midst of his doubts and fears. We invite our guests to look for God’s hand at work to see how He has brought beauty from ashes of pain and struggle. We encourage them see how God has answered their prayers in the past and how He will be faithful again. We remind them that though the way is hard— they will never be alone. We can trust that the King will redeem the the heartache, loss, and pain. He knows the price they have paid for their obedience and faithfulness. One day we will all see our King face to face. On that day we will celebrate around the throne of God with people from every tribe, and tongue and nation. We will meet brothers and sisters in Christ that are with us because of their life and witness for Jesus. Their faithfulness on the journey will have been worth it all!

Last month we shared with you the beginning of our “Join the Journey” campaign. It is an invitation to stand with our global workers, our Sanctuary Inn guests, on their journeys. We all have felt the struggle of being alone and overwhelmed and know what a beautiful gift it is to be encouraged. It makes the journey more beautiful every time we are infused with hope and reminders of God’s goodness and faithfulness. We remember that we are not alone in our suffering and hardship. We can keep taking one step at a time. 

We invite you to continue to stand with us as we provide this place, space, and time for missionaries to rest on their journey and share their heartaches and triumphs. Together we are giving them hope and helping them to find joy in the journey again. 

Thank you for your faithful prayers, financial support and encouragement to us all. We pray this blessing over you, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)

With gratitude and hope on the journey, 

Kara Githens and the Sanctuary Inn Team