So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-12
We hope you are doing well. We want to thank you so much for praying for us. We have a couple of updates and prayer requests to share with you today.
First, several of you were praying for Cheikh's son. We praise God that the boy has fully recovered from a very severe strain of malaria. Cheikh was so touched that we would care about his son. Please pray that Cheikh will realize that it is Jesus who heals and desires us to follow Him. Pray that we will have more opportunities for spiritual conversations.
Also, you have been praying for our non-believing friends, Mariah and Shaun, and their baby. Well, we are seeing the Lord at work! Last week, the woman confided in Crystal that her housekeeper has a "spirit" who often visits her at night. This opened the door for us to share with this precious family. We gave them a Bible in Arabic, and Mariah began to read it immediately! Chad was able to pray in their home and for the housekeeper. The housekeeper is afraid of what will happen. Mariah is afraid for her baby daughter. Please pray that this family will come to know the ONE who casts out all fear!
When Crystal called to check on Mariah yesterday, she said she has been reading the Bible every day, and she has many questions. She wants to meet again to visit. Please pray for us as we meet Wednesday to discuss the Word. It is so exciting to see the Spirit of God moving! Pray for Crystal to have wisdom in her responses to Mariah's questions. Also, please pray for Shawn, as he does not seem to be as interested in spiritual things.
As we work here, we are humbled and see how inadequate we are. We realize that we are completely dependent upon God. Not only do we not have all of the answers, we often don't even have one answer! We take comfort in knowing that you are interceding for us, and for those with whom we are sharing. We thank you!!!
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
A Christmas Meal
"For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." "Sir," they said, "From now on give us this bread." Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:33-35
The Sunday before Christmas, they came to our home to eat an American meal. There were twelve ladies, two teenage girls, and one younger girl. They were dressed up in their beautiful, brightly-colored dresses and headwraps. They had a wonderful time visiting with one another, teasing each other, and laughing. They ate lots of salad, spaghetti and meat sauce, garlic bread, and apple crisp. Their stomachs were full, but most of their souls were empty. Only four are followers of Christ.
As we traditionally do with our family, we read the Christmas story from Luke 2. We read it in their heart language, Wolof. Then, one of the believers shared her testimony of how following Christ pulled her out of a life of sickness and fear in another religion and the rituals of her ancestors. She told the ladies how her life is now peaceful and full of joy. The ladies all listened intently, and when she was through, they had many comments and a few questions.
We want to ask you to pray fervently for the eight non-believers who were with us. Pray that they will listen to the stories from the Bible on the CD's they received. Pray that they will have dreams of who Jesus is, and that they will not be afraid to ask questions about the religion they have followed their entire lives. Please pray also for our two good friends from Crystal's English class who were unable to attend, Anna and Mary. Anna has now heard about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and has many questions. Please pray that we will have wisdom in answering these questions.
Also, we have some friends who are not Senegalese, but with whom we have become very close. Chad has had a few opportunities to share his faith with the husband, as Crystal has with the wife. They have a beautiful baby, and last night as I (Crystal) held her, and saw the portions of their holy book pinned to her dress, I realized that she has no one in her home to tell her about Jesus. I prayed over her, but I would like to ask that each of you would pray that this family will come to know the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
We thank you so much for your prayers for us and for our work here. We thank you for your financial support as you give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program. You make it possible for us to continue each day in the calling that God has placed on our lives. Many days are not easy, but we know that God is faithful, strong, and able to help us.
We pray that you have had a blessed Christmas, and that you will grow in the fullness of God's love throughout 2008.
The Sunday before Christmas, they came to our home to eat an American meal. There were twelve ladies, two teenage girls, and one younger girl. They were dressed up in their beautiful, brightly-colored dresses and headwraps. They had a wonderful time visiting with one another, teasing each other, and laughing. They ate lots of salad, spaghetti and meat sauce, garlic bread, and apple crisp. Their stomachs were full, but most of their souls were empty. Only four are followers of Christ.
As we traditionally do with our family, we read the Christmas story from Luke 2. We read it in their heart language, Wolof. Then, one of the believers shared her testimony of how following Christ pulled her out of a life of sickness and fear in another religion and the rituals of her ancestors. She told the ladies how her life is now peaceful and full of joy. The ladies all listened intently, and when she was through, they had many comments and a few questions.
We want to ask you to pray fervently for the eight non-believers who were with us. Pray that they will listen to the stories from the Bible on the CD's they received. Pray that they will have dreams of who Jesus is, and that they will not be afraid to ask questions about the religion they have followed their entire lives. Please pray also for our two good friends from Crystal's English class who were unable to attend, Anna and Mary. Anna has now heard about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and has many questions. Please pray that we will have wisdom in answering these questions.
Also, we have some friends who are not Senegalese, but with whom we have become very close. Chad has had a few opportunities to share his faith with the husband, as Crystal has with the wife. They have a beautiful baby, and last night as I (Crystal) held her, and saw the portions of their holy book pinned to her dress, I realized that she has no one in her home to tell her about Jesus. I prayed over her, but I would like to ask that each of you would pray that this family will come to know the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
We thank you so much for your prayers for us and for our work here. We thank you for your financial support as you give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program. You make it possible for us to continue each day in the calling that God has placed on our lives. Many days are not easy, but we know that God is faithful, strong, and able to help us.
We pray that you have had a blessed Christmas, and that you will grow in the fullness of God's love throughout 2008.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Are you always like this?
"Are you always like this?" This is what one of the ladies in my group asked one day. "What do you mean?" I asked. This woman wanted to know if we still dressed, acted, and taught the same things when we are in the U.S. She had been told that westerners come in and teach some things, and then go back home and act differently. I assured her that although I don't wear all my African outfits in the U.S., I still dress modestly, act the same, and teach the same things from God's Word. She was relieved. I was saddened, though, to think that there are already people trying to discourage her from learning the Truth in God's Word.
My group of ladies has reached a major point in our study. A few weeks ago, they were thrilled as the Israelites finally reached the Promised Land. We then went through some of the prophecies about Christ. Last Saturday, we talked about how the Koran teaches that they should study the teachings of Jesus (Issa). I sort of gave them the chance to stop studying. But, praise the Lord, they want to continue!! Please pray for their eyes to be opened and their spirits to receive the wonderful news of Christ being the final sacrifice for our sins. We will meet this Thursday morning and then Saturday before we leave for vacation. Please pray that nothing hinders our study.
Many of you know that the month of fasting (Ramadan) has started. We have many friends, neighbors, and acquaintances who do not allow any food or drink to touch their lips from sunup to sundown. Often, they won't even swallow their own saliva! I asked my friend why they fast. She said it was so that their sins would be forgiven. Also, she said that if you wanted anything, this is a good time to ask for it. It is a pretty miserable time for them because it is so hot right now.
It is really sad for us to watch this going on because we know that their works and sacrifice are not "earning" them anything with God. The one bright spot in all of this is that people often have dreams and visions during this time. Please pray with us that many will truly seek God, and that He will reveal Himself to them in their dreams. Many former Muslims say that they became followers of Christ after He came to them in a dream!
Also, please pray for Chad as he finishes up mountains of work at the office before we leave. Pray that he will have few interruptions, and will work very efficiently. He is also asking for wisdom as he has taken on an additional role as the IMB representative on the board of directors of the missionary school here in town.
We thank you so much for your faithful prayers for us and our work here. You help to keep us going each day!
My group of ladies has reached a major point in our study. A few weeks ago, they were thrilled as the Israelites finally reached the Promised Land. We then went through some of the prophecies about Christ. Last Saturday, we talked about how the Koran teaches that they should study the teachings of Jesus (Issa). I sort of gave them the chance to stop studying. But, praise the Lord, they want to continue!! Please pray for their eyes to be opened and their spirits to receive the wonderful news of Christ being the final sacrifice for our sins. We will meet this Thursday morning and then Saturday before we leave for vacation. Please pray that nothing hinders our study.
Many of you know that the month of fasting (Ramadan) has started. We have many friends, neighbors, and acquaintances who do not allow any food or drink to touch their lips from sunup to sundown. Often, they won't even swallow their own saliva! I asked my friend why they fast. She said it was so that their sins would be forgiven. Also, she said that if you wanted anything, this is a good time to ask for it. It is a pretty miserable time for them because it is so hot right now.
It is really sad for us to watch this going on because we know that their works and sacrifice are not "earning" them anything with God. The one bright spot in all of this is that people often have dreams and visions during this time. Please pray with us that many will truly seek God, and that He will reveal Himself to them in their dreams. Many former Muslims say that they became followers of Christ after He came to them in a dream!
Also, please pray for Chad as he finishes up mountains of work at the office before we leave. Pray that he will have few interruptions, and will work very efficiently. He is also asking for wisdom as he has taken on an additional role as the IMB representative on the board of directors of the missionary school here in town.
We thank you so much for your faithful prayers for us and our work here. You help to keep us going each day!
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