“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” Ps. 127:1
This last month has been full, hard, & enjoyable. We as a family moved into a different neighborhood for the purpose of discipleship and language opportunities. We also joyfully learned that my wife is pregnant and Lord willing will be expecting in Aug. The Church moved from right outside the city to an excellent location inside the city. We are currently renting a small hotel conference room. Three weeks ago four new locals bowed their knees before King Jesus and gave their lives for His glory. All four received new spiritually regenerated hearts and one was physically heal of a heart condition that had been painfully bothering him for years. God is at work and there is no greater joy than to be following His magnificent leadership. I get the joy to serve as pastor, but I am thankful for the reminder that it’s His church, not mine.
This month started hard, I was tired, my wife has been sick in bed for the last month, language is hard, and there were growing divisions within the church. Many of the members began fighting, again, with one another over small things and our numbers were getting smaller. I knew God was at work in all these things and that He brings to completion whatever He starts, but I felt weak. One day I broke. I went into my room shut the door and began to weep on my knees before our Great God. “Father it’s not my church, my glory, or my mission, but Yours. Please Father glorify your Son, strengthen Your church, and shame Your enemy by the great power of Your Holy Spirit. I confessed in the depths of my heart, I can’t do it…, but I know You can. Please, Father may Your kingdom come!” One thing I have learned over the last few years is that battles are not won by our strength or talent, but by our weak prayers and the power of the Holy Spirit. The next week everything began to change and I have never seen the church's faith in Christ Jesus so strong. Repentance of sins, strengthening of marriages, restoration between brothers, and the spread of the Gospel is sweeping through like a river and my favorite thing is that we are all glorifying His Name and His alone. Please Church pray with us and for us that the mighty work of God will continue and the the Gospel may spread.
In the near future we are going to begin taking steps to legalize the church. This is no easy step, but we believe the Lord is leading us in this direction. There are many things that this will allow us to do, but we know it is not humans who grant this or that, but the divine leadership of our great God Almighty. Please pray for this process, favor with the government, wisdom for church leadership, and strength for the church. Please also pray for my wife and the healthy development of our new little gift. Church thank you for your continual support of our needs! We could not have our hands to the plow without you. May the Lord bless you and keep you.