(excerpts from a letter of thanks sent at the end of our furlough)
“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.”
So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”
When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord!” he wrapped his outer garment around him…and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish….
Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.”
John 21:1-12
“Well, there’s the fact He asks us to trust him when it feels like we’ve been in a long night and caught nothing and will we hear His voice, trust him, do what He says when He asks the unconventional of us: “Throw your net on the right side of the boat”…. And there’s this: … the wild love waiting for us at the end of dark, empty nights of the soul — the kind of love that has breakfast waiting for us on the beach, the fish and bread all ready for us… but really… and this is what I keep coming back to…. “Someone had counted the fish!” Ann Voskamp from www.aholyexperience.com
Dear Friends,
Another year is drawing to a close, as is another furlough for the Cash family. We will gather around a Thanksgiving table with loved ones this week and pause to remember and give thanks for all the “fish in our nets”. God’s kingdom growth in Uganda feels like this story of the disciples fishing. Some moments feel as if we have caught nothing. Other times, we can barely tow in the nets.
We reflect on a furlough that has offered us some precious breakfast on the shore with Jesus. Times of nurture and restoration from the Lord.
“You pull in your life and you see that though you felt ripped open —- the net actually didn’t tear. That there’s much in your net. And you actually count them. You make sure you count the fish. So you don’t have to ask because you know. You know it is the Lord.”
Ann Voskamp
We humbly reflect:
Healthy children, 17 year marriage, safe travels, memories with cousins, hugs from Grandparents, laughter with family, trips to Dallas, waterfalls and mountains, the Oregon Coast, fabulous food, new clothes, a living and active Word, a message to proclaim, a growing church family, forgiveness, people to serve among, redemption.
And you. Supporters and friends who pray, and give, and partner with us to share Christ with the Ugandan people.
We are thankful for you and your faithful support and prayers for God’s work in Ft Portal, Uganda.
Thank you for loving our family and serving our God together with us.
When we “count our fish” we count you!
God’s blessings and peace on you and yours.
In Christ Alone,
the Cashes
