My Feelings...In all Honesty...

So, I am sure that you all gave up on this post. I can come up with a million reasons why it has taken me 2.5 weeks, instead of two days, to write this including being busy, sick, having sick little ones, and such, but I should have made time for it. Sorry.

I recently received a card with these words:
"It's an uncertain world that we live in
where so much keeps changing so fast,
And things that we thought we could count on
too soon become things of the past..."

Wow, this so describes the situation in my land. The voting is taking place and we still don't know the outcome, there was a short calm period, and then, out of nowhere, more violence, deaths, protests, etc. I must say that I was discouraged to hear about the recent activity this past weekend, but, at the same time, it is so evident that the Lord is using this to show the people the reality of Islam. So, sometimes there is a struggle within myself. There is a part of me that wants to live in a stable environment where I don't have to worry about when I might be trapped inside my home and having enough food if we are, if I will have to wear the hijab or not, if my friends and family will ever visit me or not because they feel there are security issues, if I need to watch the news to know what parts of the city to avoid. However, I know I keep saying this, but I truly believe that God is preparing hearts in all this to bring people to Him. I believe this with my whole heart. I pray for more laborers right now. The people are opening their hearts and minds. They are listening and receiving Bibles. How could I want anything different than God's will. This is what we are here for. Maybe it is God's will for things to get better, but in these times, with my uncertainty, how could I ask for anything except for the Lord's will to be done. So, maybe, there will be more gunfire outside of my ground floor apartment and there will be moments of doubts and fears. I don't think this will happen, but God is our rock shield, fortress, deliverer, high tower... My prayer is for God's strength and boldness. I know I need God. I know that I can not do anything without Him, and there are times that I confess that to Him and beg Him for the strength and boldness that my family and I need, and also for the attitude to serve Him willingly and joyfully. I read a quote the other day, "I find that it is not the circumstances in which we are placed, but the spirit in which we meet them that constitutes our comfort."-Elisabeth King. It is our attitude that often stinks when our walk with the Lord isn't what it needs to be.

I love the country which God has placed me. If my friends and family would all move here then I would never need to leave. :) My greatest fear is actually in a time where visas are terribly difficult to come by, that we would have to leave. The Lord has knitted my heart with the people and the work here. I am really looking forward to getting this language down so that we can focus on ministry and watch the Lord work in the hearts and lives of the people.

Why No Change…The True Need…

The people of the country are looking for change in the wrong places. They look to the government to protect, provide, and please them. They are looking to men to provide them with things that we know come from the Lord.

1.) God is our strong tower, shield, fortress, rock…when we have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation, we are in the Hands of the Lord and He covers us with his wings.
2.) God provides for our every need. He gives us each day our daily bread. He promises to clothe, shelter, and feed us as we seek first the Kingdom of God and make Christ the center of our lives.
3.) We find comfort, joy, and peace from God alone. He is the God of all comfort! In Him alone can we find joy no matter what the circumstances are, and through Him we can have a peace that passes all understanding!

We know that after Christ is preeminent in this country, then the politics will follow.

The true need here, the same as any country, is first a spiritual need, which demands laborers. “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God,” Romans 10:17. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14.

We truly believe that God is using the things that are going on here to open people’s eyes to the deadness and wickedness in the false religions. Even the muslims, are readily accepting Bibles and are asking questions about God’s Word. Is God working to fulfill his prophecy in Isaiah 19?