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| In this section, we want to give you some idea what the Hoppe's do in their lives as missionaries in Albania. We thought the best way to do that was in Lynette's own words. Please enjoy her December, 2004 newsletter which touches on some of the most important aspects of their powerful ministry: 'So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal" 11 Cor. 4: 16-18. Many of the daily Epistle readings from the Lectionary these past few months have been taken from the book of II Corinthians. I have been mesmerized by the texts of this book and wonder why I haven't paid more attention to them in the past. Written by one who was himself in the midst of a difficult and wearying ministry--"afflicted in every way; perplexed, persecuted, struck down," as St. Paul says of himself--the book of II Corinthians urges readers to be of good courage, to walk by faith, to focus on the eternal things, and to remember that God's grace is sufficient. II Corinthians is a call for us to be joyful and devoted servants--the sort not defeated by obstacles nor discouraged by hardship, but contented, rather, with weaknesses, insults, and calamities, glorying in the strength that comes from God. This approach requires that we keep a clear vision of the eternal--an image of what really matters--even as we plunge ourselves into very visible and very demanding ministries. May God grant us this vision.
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