July was a busy month…a real busy month. All the way through the month, I told myself we just had to make it through kid’s camp and then we could breathe. Going into kid’s camp I was not sure we would make it through, but God was faithful to sustain us and allowed us to be a part of this amazing event. However we instead of coming home to a breath of fresh air, we came home to a forest fire.
We came home to the news of two deaths. Offering support to friends who have a death in their family is very important here. This often means a visit to present condolences and then showing up for the funeral which is a whole day event. This quickly changed our week from empty to full.
However the most difficult part was that one of the deaths was our new believer Abe’s father. It is a very difficult situation as many in the family blame him for the death. It has created more tension with his family and more persecution. Joel went to pick him up on Monday and he passed out in the car. This was partly from physical fatigue (as it was Ramadan and so he can’t eat or drink when he spends the day with his family), but it was also a sign of the emotional fatigue he is experiencing. There are lots of unknowns about his future and so we are praying for wisdom as the pastor of our church tries to speak to his family on his behalf.
On top of those situations we experienced:
Being flooded out in the village
Our car breaking down in the storm
Water shortages
Additional responsibilites added to our plate
Both our boys falling sick
Our week of rest exploded before our eyes. I can tell the toll it is taking on us as we are all running on a short fuse. The normal stresses of life seem way bigger and there is no way to escape the normal stress of life here. We have 2 more weeks until Joel starts traveling and life gets even busier. We aren’t sure how to find rest, but praying that God will bring it our way.
Pray with us:
For Abe as he grieves his father’s death and also faces some very difficult decisions.
Pray for our Pastor as he negotiates with his family for a safe living situation.
Pray for us to find rest and the strength to press on
Our prayer team prayed for you last night and we will be continuing to pray all week. May God give you rest and grace for one another in a way that you know it can only be from Him.
We’re really praying for you. God has you on the front lines there. That’s a blessed place to be. Here is some scripture that God gave me to share with you. -Jim Yambra
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
(2Co 1:2-5)
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1Co 15:58
Praying. Also sending you many mental hugs.
Our prayer team will hold you up tonight! My heart breaks. God is stronger. May He show you a glimpse of His great plan and power!
And may He show His glory through Abe’s protection.
Oh, Andi, I’m sick as I read this. How hard it is for you (all of you) and most especially for Abe. I pray daily for him that he will be strong in his faith and have a witness to those about him. How terrible that he has lost his father and is now being persecuted for it. Please, dear God, keep him under the shelter of your wing. Let him know that you love him and that there is yet hope for him and for others.
Andi, you and Joel are doing such good work. I agree with Andrea’s comment ” Exhaustion means that your heart is engaged.” You are both doing God’s work and he will give you the strength to complete it. Her advice is good too: eat, play, rest whenever you can. God will nourish your souls.
I’ll keep praying for your family, your community, and for your new converts, Abe, Paul and those 21 kids at youth camp. What a testimony you are building.
Love to all,
Carolyn
Hi, I started praying for you before I got to your prayer list. I found an encouraging verse as I studied Psalm 37. It’s Psalm 37:3–Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. The verses that follow are equally encouraging.
I love you all. I am praying for Abe since his father died, and now will be a difficult time for him to hold onto his new found faith. Praying for all of you also.
Hugs to all of you,
Jeannette
Praying for you all, Andi, and as always, so proud of you.
My heart breaks when I read this. We always say that being a missionary is like “dog years” in that so many things happen ALL AT ONCE. You think back and ask yourself, “Was that only last week? Feels like a month ago already.”
You’re doing a great job handling things. Exhaustion means that your heart is engaged. You’re involved with people in a way that shows your loving, caring, missionary heart. You’re doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing.
Get rest whenever you can. Stay connected to the Word & prayer so your Spirit is filled and flowing during this trying time. Love you kids – this is what develops them into the stunning adults they will become.
And eat some good food. Play a game. Take a nap.
We’ll pray for stamina, encouragement and the ability to flex with grace. This is the missionary battle. You’re in it – and you are standing up for the gospel! I’m so proud of you.
Andrea