My phone chirped. “She’s coding” it read. My body was flooded with emotions and I burst into tears while I balanced my fussing baby on my hip and ignored my four-year-olds questions. God please spare her! Don’t let her die! Please don’t let her die! I begged silently as I rushed around my house, feeding the baby, getting lunch for the kids, reading stories (it’s amazing that I can read aloud and not pay attention to a single word I’m reading) and finally, putting all three down for nap time. I texted Stephen back. He said they got her back. They got her back. Oh praise the Lord! Thank you Lord!
That morning I’d received a text from my best friend, a fellow missionary, serving overseas. She explained that her friends, Jason and Amy (not their real names), were traveling in the States when Amy developed a serious infection and had to have emergency surgery. They had been passing through CO when Amy got sick and were now alone at the hospital, with Amy in very critical condition. They have a baby girl and my friend asked if we could go take Jason diapers, wipes and food. Stephen called off work and, armed with cheerios, muffins and baby stuff, drove an hour to sit with Jason, whom he’d never met. He talked and prayed with him, and took care of little Ivy at times, since children aren’t allowed in the ICU.
That afternoon is when Amy’s heart stopped beating. We prayed. We prayed like crazy and Amy is still alive. It’s now been a week since Stephen spent the day with Jason, and God has been answering prayers. Since that scary afternoon, Amy’s condition has improved very slowly. She’s still in critical condition and in lots of pain, but she’s able to blink responses and respond to commands.
Besides what God has been doing in this family’s lives, He has used this to teach us what fervent prayer is like. He is teaching us what can be accomplished when prayer is a way of life rather than an event that has to be started and stopped. Would you pray along with us that this lesson would sink in deep, and that we would continue to develop a lifestyle of prayer? See our prayer requests below for more to bring before the Father.
Ministry Update
A step of Faith
I (Stephen) have one more week of traditional employment left before taking a step of faith and quitting my job. For those who don’t know, I’ve been working full time for the last year while we’ve been seeking partners to support our ministry. Next weekend marks the major transition from paycheck to support check. While I will still be working for my pay, and though I believe “the worker is worthy of his wages,” this is a counter-cultural step and not one that comes naturally to me. I am excited to be able to devote my “work day” to partnership development because it means getting to the field faster! At the same time though, it means relying on whatever support the Lord brings in each month.
A milestone
We’ve hit a new and exciting number (if you find numbers exciting like I do) in our financial support level. As of this week we are 33% funded! Thank you to all who are supporting us financially, or praying for us. We couldn’t be doing this without you!
A Destination
Michigan! On July 12th, we’re packing up our minivan and heading out on the road. We’ll spend a week in Missouri with family, and then we’re off to Michigan for 3+ weeks of telling anyone who will listen that there are unreached people groups who need the Gospel! Do you live in Michigan? Or the Midwest? Want to host a missionary family with 3 small kids who are tired of travelling? We’d love to hear from you (Just hit that “Reply” button up there).
Please Pray…
- that Amy would fully recover and that God would provide for financial needs. (He knows their real names.)
- that we would continue to develop a lifestyle of prayer, and teach our kids to do the same.
- that we would truly walk in faith, trusting in God, not the number in our bank account, as we begin to raise support full time.
- that our trip east would be safe, fruitful and as low-stress as possible.
Asa is 4 1/2, Naomi is 3 and Sullivan turned one the end of May. All three are healthy and growing. Each make us laugh and challenge us every day.