As the days go by
and the further we get from our trip to Uganda, the memories tend to fade like
all memories do. I think of the Israelites when they settled into the land of
Canaan and the many admonitions by God, for them to remember His mighty works
of old. Why is remembering where you’ve been and what God had done so
important? I have seen as we plough through each day’s duties, that without the
moorings of God’s faithful direction of the past, I can wander aimlessly and
get discouraged about the future. It takes effort to stay focused on God and
remember His faithfulness to us, especially when storm clouds gather above us.
As we walked the
base, as we ate meals with the staff; the sweet spirits of all the people there
challenged us. They told us their stories and how they greatly desired to go
back into the Congo or Sudan, so that they might witness of Jesus’ redemptive
power and His great love for each hurting individual torn by sin. They had so
little, yet were willing to live where they would have even less. 
These new dear
friends remembered God’s faithfulness and they could not forget those they left
behind in their war-torn countries. God had spared their lives through the
wars, gave them new meaning through salvation in Jesus, and healed their
hearts. What about those who never heard the good news of Jesus? Our friends in
Arua would not forget them.Now that I am ‘saved’ and safe, do I forget those left behind that still need to come out of the terror of war, the war against their souls? Do I forget God’s great miracles in my life, get comfortable in the Promised Land, and then just live for myself? Oh, God forbid.
Our home is now for
sale. The physical work of selling all is not a fun thought. We’ve been there
before. Change can be very hard. But God is so good. We are His precious
children and He has carried us through many a major move, through major life
threatening illnesses, through great turmoil with our family and work. He will
carry us through each day ahead. He tells us that, “God is able to make all
grace abound to you (to us) that in all things, at all times, having all that
you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Cor. 9:8) Note, He says ‘need’,
not all I may ‘want’. He gave me all I ‘needed’ even when I was sick, bedridden
and hospitalized these past years. I had time with Him. Good fruit was produced
there in those dark places of my life. I could rest in His loving care and I
learned not to fret or complain that life was tough. Jesus was with me. Those
close to me still heard moans and cries at times; but over all I valued the
relationship building time I had with God as He slowed me down. I seriously
prepared to go ‘home’. I was at peace with God and wanted to be at peace with
all.
It was at that point,
that I cried. My heart broke over all I saw who were not at peace with God or
others. I wanted to do more, so that loved ones would be in a right
relationship with God and others. I wrestled with God over that. Could I do
more than lie there? Yes, I could commune with God, but I had family, friends,
neighbors, a world around me that needed more. God, can I do more so that the
lost will love you? It was my question
then and now…
Everywhere we turn
here, we see friends really struggling with serious life issues; friends
divorcing, major illness concerns, rebellious children, loss of job or home, or
worse, the loss of a child, spouse, or parent. Our hearts are very heavy in
concern and prayer for them all. These weeks have been heavy and we are praying
continually asking God to help each person and to also give us wisdom as to how
we are to respond in love to help them.
We offer our help
and are praying. My dear friends, “My heart grieves with you. May God lift you
up and carry you through the deep waters in your life. Please remember His
faithfulness of the past and the great love He demonstrated for you on the
cross. ‘Fix your eyes on Jesus …who for the joy set before Him endured the
cross…so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.’ (Heb.12:2,3) Hang on to
Jesus, dear ones. For ‘in all these things (trouble, hardships, dangers…) we
are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Rom. 8:37) ” God does not
promise that each of us will be healed, restored, or come out of all trials in
this life, but He does promise to walk through all life’s storms with us.
Remember God was with Israel in the desert in the cloud and fire. And He led
them by the cloud and fire. And by the clouds and fire (what seems so dark,
ugly and harmful), He will guide us too. And afterwards, may we remember what
he saved us from and go back to share Jesus, so He may save those still captive
in the war.
As I wrote
these words the storm clouds gathered over us…. Was I remembering His faithfulness?
When we heard God
call us to Uganda we were at a good place emotionally. Progress had been made
and all signs indicated all would be well for everyone in the family. But now
an enemy has reared his ugly head. The attack is on. I tried to prepare for it and
my heart is trying to give it all to God. Some days are a real struggle, particularly with a handicapped child. Yet, I have felt the peace of God over me saying
“Remember, your times are in my hands.” All life events are in God’s loving
hands. My work here is just as important as any work I could do there in
Uganda. His will be done. Press on in the strength of God.
Our life has been very full as we wait for the word from Uganda that
we are officially accepted; we wait for the house to sell; we wait for Katie’s
paper work so she can visit; we wait for healing of children…
We wait and it is hard. Satan is not waiting and we
continually feel the oppression from him. We need your prayers. We need each
other. We need to pray for one another. We need to Heed the words of God and
remember He is still here with us and He is faithful…”
(How like God to
hear my heart and answer! I have been writing with a weight on my heart . And
as I wrote, “we need prayer…” the phone rang.
I felt like hanging up thinking “Oh my, another phone solicitor.”, but I
waited and heard the voice of a Wycliffe Bible Translators volunteer. Yes, they
were calling for a donation, but I love them. We had been to their training
program 30 years ago as we first pursued missions. I told her of our plans to move
overseas to work in missions. She then and there prayed for us. She
has been where I am and she knew what I was feeling. Later, I again felt the
heaviness of an attack and asked God for a friend to pray with. God put a name
on my heart to call so I could encourage her. But God used her to pray for me.
What a blessing!)
Thank you God. You
are faithful. You know our deepest need. You care. You hear us and answer.
Thank you dear Jesus.
Thank you dear Jesus.
Remember His faithfulness of the past and go on in Jesus’
strength; then share Him with others.
We want to pray for
you too. Please pray for us.
Thank you.
