Monday, November 25, 2013

Thanksgiving 2013

So cute! I love this time of year! 

Dear faithful friends,family, and supporters,

It is Thanksgiving week here in the Robbins' nest. That means that Creed and Mark are off from school and I am enjoying being home with them. The rest of the family has work/school until Thursday. I'm really looking forward to having the house fill up with good company, as well as the smell of delicious food cooking. We will have Kelsey and David with us, along with my good friend Joel Satre (he's been living with us on and off since July) and his sister Jessica.

As I reflect on all the things I'm thankful for, I realize that you, my precious friends, family and supporters, are close to the top of the list. I was invited back to my old job last week to enjoy Thanksgiving meal with them, and it was great to see them all again.  It reminded me of how God's grace provided for me and my family then and has led me to the dream of doing what I do now. I'm overwhelmed by your generosity and love in making this dream possible for me.

Since I started this new life in March, God has been faithful.  My support, though not even, has averaged close to what I need on a monthly basis. The area where I'm having trouble, is keeping up with all the mission trips that I am privileged to be a part of (Guinea, Jamaica, and Thailand - total cost $6000). I am hoping to raise an additional $500 a month to compensate for all the travel I do throughout the year. The next mission trip that I am looking forward to is Thailand.

Thailand Cost $2500

If you are interested in supporting me in going back to Thailand (I will be gone the end of January and back the beginning of February) you can click on the tab 'Supporting the Work' at the top of the page.

Thailand is a special trip for me. It was the first thing that I did in the new 'era' of my life after the church I was attending closed. Being a part of this trip was instrumental in giving me the vision and the confidence to do what I do today. I have been able to be a part of this trip since 2007 and have built relationships that have lasted and provided for ministry opportunities on both sides of the world.

Last January I had the joy of being involved in a Thailand family reunion and it was so meaningful to be invited to that. I know the impact they have made on me and I'm so thankful for the impact that the Lord has let me make on them. It was the first time, since the photo below, that I got to see some of those amazing kids.

The youth from my first year to Thailand! 

I just celebrated my 31st birthday this past week, and it was so great to get well wishes from the kids that I get to see from all over the world. One of them was especially encouraging. I met her on my trip to Guinea this past year, and she and I are both sad that I won't be able to return this year. However, the reason gives me great joy! My wife is expecting our next child and Diane would like me there for the birth.

My wife braided my hair (against her better judgment) for my birthday. It was fun!
As I think about the life I have been called to, I think about the joy of living it for a God like our God. He is mighty and just and kind and merciful and joyful and wise and trust-worthy and faithful! Our God who loved us while we were sinners, saved us, freed us and led us on to a great adventure. I am thankful for the many missionaries I get to support and I'm thankful for the many that support me. Together we are following hard after a God who makes it pure joy to join Him in the work that He is doing here, before He calls us home.

Bless you all, on this Thanksgiving and beyond!

Caleb Robbins

If you want to support what I do a little or a lot, on a one time basis (for a mission trip) or on a recurring basis, click on the tab "Supporting the Work" at the top of the page and search for Caleb and Diane Robbins. Diane is my beautiful wife and the mother of my three precious children Creed 6, Asher 4, and Liam 2.