“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”

— Acts 8:4

Have you ever landed in a difficult situation and wondered, “Why did this happen?”

Johnny is a missionary I work with who served for several years in Haiti. Because of the political struggles and increased violence there, he came back to the United States with his family. It was a difficult transition. How do you leave behind the colleagues and friends you love dearly? How do you process the trauma of living in such an unsettled environment?

But as Johnny and his wife began to settle and heal, they discovered a remarkable thing. Thousands of Haitians had also moved to where he and his family were now living, and God was creating opportunities for them to minister among the Haitian community right where they were.

So now Johnny is working with a Haitian pastor to raise up Haitian leaders and plant Haitian churches. They have a dream to launch 10 new Haitian church plants in the next few years! God took a painful situation and used it to open up new opportunities in North America!

God did something like that with the early Christians too—like Philip, who was forced to flee to Samaria. In all kinds of situations the Holy Spirit continues to spread the good news of Jesus in surprising ways around the world.

Dear God, even when we are recovering from a painful situation or heartache, you pour out your healing in your good time and provide new opportunities for us to serve you. Thank you, Lord! Amen.