Strength

(This update was written to be posted at the beginning of July, but due to problems with our internet I was unable to send it out.   Currently our team has come out to Kenya due to the conflict in South Sudan, but we are hopeful that we can go back soon.)

It can be so easy to react to the pressures of expectations surrounding us. Most of us at times feel pressure to hurry because of others expectations or the perception of what is expected of us. I find in many instances that I can easily get anxious when others are waiting on me.  And when I rush through that which is important, whether it is my quiet time in the morning or a task which I know I needs my careful attention, I often find myself frustrated. After a struggle though I know that I must quiet down and come to the Lord in repentance, admitting my sin.   This does happen more often than I would like to admit. But I am thankful for God's mercy and grace which brings me back to the point of quieting the competing voices and being able to hear Him through His word. Over the last few months, I have been brought back to the passage in Isaiah 40:31 which says, "Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength."  I am comforted when I remember that it is the Lord who not only guides me into my activities for the day, but also gives me the strength to accomplish His purposes through them.

I find that having a rest day each week is also important, but I have also found that I need to occasionally withdraw and go to a different place where I don't feel the pull of my usual responsibilities in my location of ministry. Recently I tore a muscle in my thigh and I decided to go to Nairobi for an MRI and to see an orthopaedic specialist.  I flew out to Nairobi and after a doctor looked at the injury, he decided that surgery would not be a good option.  Except for the first three days after the injury, I have experienced little pain and have been recovering remarkably well.  Though my injured leg tires a bit more quickly, I am able to walk well now.  During the time in Nairobi, I got some good rest. I also had some time reading the Gospel of Luke in Laarim for practice as well as expanding my vocabulary with words I had collected in writing, but never learned well.  I got to see some friends as well, one from Omaha, and a couple from Loryok, which was my home in South Sudan for three years.  It turned out to be a time of rest and refreshment.   Just days before my injury, I was talking to my friend Lotao on the phone, who was brought to Kenya to study and stay with a Kenyan family in the Nairobi area.  He asked me when I would be coming and I said it would probably be awhile, perhaps the following year.  Two weeks later we met in Nairobi and he reminded me that God sometimes has other plans for us.

A Growing Interest

Ministry among the Laarim has gone well and the boys have continued to eagerly come in even larger numbers to play football, hear a Bible story, pray, and sing together.  A number from the group often come in the afternoon for a literacy lesson.  Most attend irregularly and are learning very slowly, but two youth who come regularly are moving ahead more quickly.  I am greatly encouraged by their desire to keep learning God's word and how to read.  Recently, our team member Andrew started a class at the primary school to help the students develop Laarim songs in their own language.  After the first day, Andrew showed us a video of the class enthusiastically singing a song they developed in Laarim about God creating the world.  The children in the villages during the Sunday meetings learned the song and also sing it.  One Sunday recently, Linda invited women in the community to come over for tea and watch the Jesus film in the Murle language, which can mostly be understood by the Laarim because of their language similarities.  Seven women came and watched very attentively expressed much excitement during the scenes with women.  Because it was getting late, they had to stop half way through, but they hope to come back on another Sunday to finish the film. 

Meeting with children for a Bible story after playing football

We are thankful to the Lord that the required support has come in for all of the team members and they are set to come in this month.  Also, the construction of the houses is complete so that families will be able to move in upon their arrival.

Ways you can pray:

Pray for the nation of South Sudan during this time of conflict.  Pray for the door to be open for missionaries to continue to serve there.

Pray for a continual hunger among the Laarim for Jesus.

Pray for good connections and relationships between the missionaries and community members in each area we settle.