“He raises the poor out of the dust, And lifts the needy out of the ash heap.” Psalm 113:7
Dear Supporting Friends and Family,
When you think of the word break what do you think of? Well, for us it means several things at the moment.
We were able to go out for a break after some leadership meetings in Madang town and our annual Madang Conference with all the missionaries from our region. It was a very uplifting time and much needed. After these meetings we went on a 8 day break were we did nothing but relax! It was wonderful. We praise God for these little refreshments.
Now for the other refreshments allow me to share with you and perhaps you too can feel refreshed and encouraged with what God is doing here and get your mind off of the pesky politics for a moment. ☺ We returned from our time out to a group of people worried about a woman who was in labor. They were worried because her first baby was delivered via C-section and the doctor told her that her “road for delivery†is too small and she will therefore always have to have C-sections.
So we rallied together with these new baby Christians and pointed them to the almighty doctor who can do anything He wants. We encouraged them to pray for her and see what Got our Father who loves us will do. Well, after 4 days of labor we decided to help them to medevac her out. The plane was scheduled to come in on Monday and this was Sunday afternoon. We sat with several groups of people and their faith was strong. But because this is all so new to them they wondered. We’ve heard the stories of God looking out for His children but we are bad people, will He really help us in our time of need? They didn’t doubt His ability only their inadequacies.
Well, at 11:30 that night God did a miracle and brought that baby down a road too small. And in the morning there was much rejoicing! People everywhere were praising and thanking God for His help. It was a joy to watch and a boost to our faith. Then later this morning the literacy class was outside the school house chatting. The house is just behind my office and I can hear their talk, but they cannot see me in my office from where they are. So I sat in my office and well eavesdropped. I know terrible thing to do, but had I gone out the talk that followed would not have taken place.
People were saying that the reason the woman had such trouble delivering the baby was because someone worked poison or that some evil spirit was preventing the baby to come out. And then the literacy teacher Basa spoke up and said, “You all shouldn’t be thinking that way! This kind of thinking is from before and not true! God is doing a new thing here showing us His power. We are not able to do those things, but God is able! He is the one in control.â€
I wrote that yesterday afternoon and woke up this morning to the sound of sorrow. A dear friend of ours lost his son in the night. His name is Bommy. Some of you prayed for him during the teaching. Bommy has helped us so much and has become a close friend and brother. While it breaks our hearts for this 7 year old has passed on. It is a good opportunity for us to see how these new believers will handle this.
And what we are witnessing is beauty amongst ashes. Literally one man that was the boy’s uncle had put ashes all over his body to show his mourning. However, it was the same man that encouraged everyone in the house not to go down the old road. He said, “Let’s remember what we know is true. Don’t start thinking about who killed Max with poison or who is to blame for this. That is our old thinking when we were in ignorance. Don’t even go down that road. Let’s remember God is all powerful and in control.â€
Bommy himself wiped his tears from his cheek and said, “I’m happy to know that my son is with God because he trusted in Jesus, but at the same time I’m sad because I will miss him.â€
We are praising God for how the people are responding and desiring to walk this new road that God has given them, and even though there is doubts and discouragements God is with us and someday will completely deliver us from these ashes.
Please pray for Bommy and his wife and remaining daughter during this difficult time.
Thank you! Gary for us Smith’s
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