Yesterday started off like any other day. Quiet time, daily check in with all of our missionaries to make sure they are safe, breakfast… Then it started. We were getting ready to leave for the hangar to do some work in our parts room as a family when I got a text: “When is a good time to call? I need to talk to you.” My friend and fellow missionary called as soon as I texted him back, and what he told me was absolutely shocking. He discovered yesterday morning that his landlord had planted coconut trees on a third of our airstrip there!
As I discussed with him and also our chief pilot the options for continuing to use the airstrip, the Lord reminded me that I have been taking my family through a study on spiritual discipline, starting with how to use the spiritual armor listed in Ephesians. I am convinced that it is no coincidence that our missionary friends who are dealing with the coconut trees on their airstrip have also been teaching through Ephesians 6 in their village.
After an hour on the phone talking through logistics, policies and procedures for continuing to safely use a much shorter airstrip, we finally headed off to the hangar. I walked into the office and tried to start up the computer. Nothing happened. With a bit of a sigh at one more thing gone wrong, I unplugged the computer and plugged it into an adjacent outlet. I pressed the button again, and it started up! My relief was short-lived though, because after about 30 seconds, smoke and and sparks started pouring out of the back of the case! One of the most dramatic computer crashes I have ever seen!
Our day continued in much the same way: a system glitch at our cell phone provider that led to cell phone bills twice what they should have been, a flat tire on one of our mission vehicles, a false alarm when we were unable to get in touch with one of our missionaries for three days, and the list goes on.
Yesterday was really just another typical day in our lives. For weeks now, we have felt that Satan is bent on destroying our family, our relationships with our co-workers, our ministry among tribal groups, and our testimony. Over and over again I have been reminded that we are in a battle. Not just an imaginary, euphemistic battle, but a real, life and death struggle with a real, although un-seen, opponent. Satan and his minions are violently opposed to what we are doing, and the instant we lay our armor down, he will take us down.
The things that have sustained us through the challenges we have faced over the last few weeks are your prayers, and a constant reminder that the Captain of the Lord’s host is sovereign and will gain the victory. He will allow nothing in our lives that will not ultimately bring Him glory, and lead to our further discipline and effectiveness in His kingdom. The Lord wants battle-hardened veterans who have experienced his strength and sufficiency and can go boldly into battle knowing that their Captain will not fail them. As a wise Drill-Instructor, he takes us through training – practice at first, then small skirmishes as we learn to wield the weapons he has given us.
Please pray fervently with us through this time that our Captain will be victorious in our lives, our relationships and our ministry, and that Satan and his minions will be defeated to the glory of God.
“…the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” James 5:16
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