Trusting Him

"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me." John 14:1

Greetings on this Easter weekend...
I want to say thank you for your continued pr@yers even though you have not heard from me in a couple of days. We were welcomed in D@kar by a group of fellow servants that have lavished us with food, encouragement, fellowship, a great place to stay, tours of the city so we know our way around, a visit to the beach for some "get away from the stress and struggles" time, an Easter egg hunt, and just some things to bring a normal feeling to life. I must say it is great to be in the body of Chr1st!

Since our departure from M@li and our arrival in S3negal, we have faced the gamut of emotions and the reality of all that is going on in M@li. It has been a tough week of ups and downs, coping and confusion, adjusting and fighting the adjustments, experiencing every possible emotion. There have been hard moments and really great moments. Through it all--even those days when we were unable to even express our hearts and our struggles to G0d, He has been with us. Our whole lives seem to be turned upside down and many days we just felt lost in this sea of news that seemed to get worse not better. It was like we would find something to divert our attention and we would be able to enjoy some sweet, refreshing moments of comfort, hope, fun and then return to the place we were staying only to hear that something we feared had happened in M@li.

 I'm so thankful for those sweet, refreshing moments-- time to walk with G0d on the beach (which for me has always been and continues to be a G0d and I place) and pick up seashells, playing basketball (Catherine has put us all to shame), finding a store where I could buy Dr. Pepper (no I didn't buy every one they had...only 6), times on the phone talking and pr@ying with our friends in M@li, and then pr@yer times with those who we are staying with here. One of the most special moments happened when we went shopping for fruits and vegetables. The lady we were buying from was from M@li and she spoke Bambara. For the first time, I felt at home. Honestly, I didn't want to leave. I wanted to pull up a stool and just sit with her for awhile. Still thinking about going to sit with her for a day...smile.

We were also able to spend a day debriefing our experience and processing all that we have been through. That was hard at times, but it was very good and very necessary. I'm very thankful for that time to just stop...look at and process the whirlwind of events, experiences, and emotions of the last 2 weeks.

I would have to say that the best thing about the last few days was the chance to sit with G0d and intimately seek Him and focus on this week in the life of Jesus. I sat each morning in a little garden of flowers outside our guesthouse reading and remembering all that He had been through. In John 13, He took sweet precious time to prepare His f0ll0wers for all that was going to take place. I love that about Him...both then and now...HE WALKS WITH US THROUGH ALL THINGS! These things He was preparing them for were going to happen to Him, yet His focus was preparing His f0ll0wers.

I found so much comfort in the words He said to His f0ll0wers after describing all that would happen. "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in G0d, and trust also in Me."

That is where I find myself today...trusting my troubled heart to J.s.s, trusting the troubled nation of M@li to G0d, trusting my friends and fellow f0ll0wers to the One who died and rose again to bring s@lvation to them.

Please keep pr@ying for M@li:

• for the junta leaders to truly step down and the sanctions to be removed
• for the protection of the f0ll0wers of J.s.s from the imposition of Sharia law
• for the food crisis and those suffering without the necessities of food and water
• for J.s.s to reveal Himself to those who f0ll0w Him and those who are seeking Him

trusting HIM....

Right Beside Me

"Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance!

 I will bless the L0rd who guides me; even at might my heart instructs me. I know the L0rd is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me....

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your Presence and the pleasures of living with you forever."

Psalm 16

Greetings everyone!!
Thank you for your prayers for us we traveled yesterday from M@li to S3negal. With 3 trucks 13 people, we saw the Presence of G0d with us. He orchestrated every detail as we drove together, then separated to pick up people along the way and lastly met back up in perfect unison to continue the journey without missing a beat. We made it to the border and got all of the paperwork we needed and then headed to the hotel where we stayed the night. After 16 hours of driving, I must say it was nice to get out of the truck. This morning the decision was made to stay one more night here so the drivers could rest before heading out on another long journey tomorrow. For that I was very thankful...I'm not sure my body would have allowed it. Give pr@ise to our G0d!!

This day has been a hard day for Catherine and me. We have arrived here, but our hearts are still in M@li. While we are physically safe, our emotions and thoughts remain in a state of turmoil as we think about those we left behind and those we love soooo much! We have heard from friend and co-worker P@stor D@o. The war in the north is being felt by them especially as all of their international partners have had to evacuate or close their offices. He continues to bel1eve and trust our G0d but for him and us...today is a difficult day of reality. We agreed to to pr@y and confess the words of Psalm 16 together as we face this day and the days to come. Will you pr@y it with us?

L0rd, We pr@ise you! You alone are G0d...the Sovereign L0rd and the One we trust. You have given us salvation, drawn us into your Presence and given us Your very Being...alive and living in us! You are our inheritance...nothing from this earth will we keep forever except You and those with whom we have shared you. You are our cup of blessing!
You guard us and all that belongs to us. You led me in 2001 to begin pr@ying for the people of M@li and asking you to give them to me as my inheritance. You have sent me there and you have given me a pleasant land... a wonderful inheritance. L0rd in these difficult days, guard her and her people. Protect them from the enemies that seek to destroy them and cause harm to them. Post YOUR ARMY around her people and fight for them. L0rd, pour out Your Sp1r1t and bring salvation to the souls of those who seek you and call out to you during these days. Reveal Yourself to them in miraculous ways...Guide them toward You!
L0rd we, Your children, Your servants, Your witness ask You to guide us, instruct us through the night. Give us eyes to see Your Presence with us always.Give us courage as we remain unshakable in our f@ith, clinging to the truth that you are right beside us!!
Show us the way of life, grant us joy in Your Presence as we walk the path You have placed before us! The pleasure of living with You satisfies us O G0d!!
We confess we belong to You...we are Your servants and Your witnesses!! Right now L0rd we need You to give us f@ith, courage, hope, peace, and protection! Thank you because we know that you are already sending it our way!!
In the name of our Savior we pr@y...amiina

Thank you for your f@ithful pr@yers and concerns for us! They are strength for us!!
we love you all...

Changing and Unchanging

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. " Hebrew 13:8 

Greetings everyone!!
I would have to say the one word that has characterized the last two days is CHANGE...From the moment we woke up yesterday change seemed to be the norm. As we considered all the different options and all the uncertainties of our situation and all the questions of what if this, what if that, and do we or do we not. Today, proved to be no different. When we went to bed last night we had a set plan for what we would do today. We did know that we had a lot to do today before we could leave B@mako. As the word for the day would have it, we would encounter many changes through the day, many challenges that would keep us from completing all we had to do in a timely manner. Because of that we were unable to leave for Sik@sso in time to get there before dark. That reality brought more questions and more changes.

We decided we would remain in B@mako today and join another group who will be heading out tomorrow-- only to a different border. Our plan now is to leave at 6 am and make our way to S3negal. There will be 5 of us leaving B@mako together and we will be picking up 9 others along the way. The journey will be about 11 hours of driving.

• Pr@y for rest tonight so we will be alert and ready for the long drive
• Pr@y for smooth pick ups of all the people along the way
• Pr@y joy and laughter and sense of G0d's Presence throughout the journey
• Pr@y for G0d's protection to surround each vehicle (3) and each driver-- for alertness, all vehicle parts and tires to do what they are suppose to do
• Pr@y for comfort and strength as we all leave a land and people we love and continue to walk in the uncertainties of this situation
  

The situation in B@mako remains peaceful with people going about their daily jobs and routines. There have been several meetings between the leaders from the ECOWAS and the c0up leaders. The announcement we were waiting for this morning was mainly focused on the situation in the north. We are still hopeful that an agreement will be reached by tomorrow and there will be no sanctions imposed on M@li.

• Pr@y for the meetings that are taking place tonight (Saturday, March 31) and any other meetings that may be scheduled tomorrow to negotiate an agreement between the c0up leaders of M@li and ECOWAS
• Pr@y for wisdom and truth to be exposed and embraced by all those meeting together
  
• Pr@y that NO SANCTIONS will be imposed, a tranistional government will be put in place and that M@li will progress toward the election of a new president

The situation in the north of M@li continues to get worse. The rebels have seized 2 of the three major towns they seek to control. The second one was seized today. At this point the rebels seem unstoppable in their mission.

• Pr@y for the people of these two towns and for their protection as these rebels rule over them
• Pr@y for our Sovereign G0d to rule over those who seek to rule over the citizens that live in these towns
• Pr@y for wisdom on the part of the M@lian army to know how to protect and maintain control of the one remaining town
• Pr@y for the quick resolve to the political issues in B@mako so that the military issues can be resolved

I will continue to let you know how things are going. I will have internet tomorrow night (remember change is the word of  the last few days) and I will try to let you know of our arrival. If I do not, remember do not worry...just pr@y and hold onto the truth that we are in HIS HANDS!!
Thankful for the one constant thing in my life--Jesus Christ, who NEVER changes!!
TRUSTING HIM like never before...

Hope Remains

"Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying." Romans 12:12

Greetings to you all...our f@ithful friends, family, and fellow servants!

A day of hope---that is how I woke up this morning! I knew in my heart that the day could go either way, but I was choosing hope-- not in the 6 Presidents who were coming to talk to the c0up leaders, not in the c0up leaders who are in control of this country, but hope in our Sovereign G0d who rules and reigns over ALL creation--including men.

Early in the day, I received the email I shared with you about the P@stor and the family that were fleeing the north because of potential attack on their city. It made my heart sad, but still hope remained as I took some time to just talk to our Father and ask Him to cover them and shelter them. I hope and have confidence in Him to do those things because He is f@ithful to His W0rd and HIs promises. I have experienced those very things in very recent days...so my hope remained strong.

Around midday or a little after, we received word and the news was reporting that the airplanes carrying the Presidents who were coming to negotiate turned back. The pro c0up demonstrators had taken control of the tarmac by standing on it in protest to the arrival of the delegates. They were unable to land, so the negotiations and talks took place in another country without M@li being represented. This could only mean difficulty for the land and people we love so much. I must admit my hope did not waiver, but my gut felt sick. I even cried as some friends called me on skype and I had to say it for the first time...more difficulty is coming to my people and I truly believe most of the population has no idea what is coming!.Even now as I type and think about it, my heart is sick and sad for the people who will suffer most.

In the meeting of ECOWAS (the African United Nations), they decided on their course of action. They will close all land borders into M@li, the surrounding countries will not allow M@li to use their ports, and the nation's bank account will be frozen. There are several good articles on the internet.

Yet I hope in our Sovereign Father,  the Almighty G0d, the One who holds all things in His hands. All along I have expressed my desires and pr@yers to Him and all along He has reminded me that it is HIS will not mine that will be done. He has a plan and a purpose and He is orchestrating events to accomplish His work in M@li and her people. His plans and purposes are not just for M@li but for ALL of creation and the return of His Son!

Join us... hope in G0d for M@li and her people. We have hope that

• G0d will pour out His wisdom during the next 72 hours to the c0up leaders...those making decisions about the future of M@li and her people
• God will bring s@lvation--His s@lvation to those who do not know Him
• God will reveal the TRUTH about His Son and that this Easter season would truly bring new life to M@li
• G0d will shelter, protect, and watch over His people--those who know Him and live out His Presence here in M@li--both M@lian and foreign people
  
• G0d will demonstrate Himself through those who believe in Him and speak for Him at the Pr@yer Meeting on Saturday at 10 am (see attached document)
• G0d's POWER would be displayed as the people of M@li come together to seek His face, turn from their wicked ways, and PR@Y

Among the People

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the L0rd always, for the L0rd G0d is the eternal Rock...L0rd you will grant us peace; all we have accomplished is really from you, O L0rd our G0d, others have ruled us, but you alone are the One we w0rship."

 Isaiah 26

Yesterday and today, life returned to normal here in M@li...at least on the surface. The US Embassy had opened the way for us to go out of our houses for short trips to do some shopping for supplies and reported that the airports and borders were opening yesterday. People were to return to work and go about their regular routines. Catherine and I took the opportunity to go to the store and purchase some food and necessities. We also took the time to go and greet our friends on the street because we did not know when we would have the opportunity to do that. We talked with many of our M@lian friends and listened to what they were saying about the events. As we talked about the situation here each of them said, "It is finished! Everything is over now. Everyone is free to go and do what they want or need to do. Everyone is working now." It has been the strangest thing because it really seems as if it is finished. For us it feels like a very false sense of peace and leaves us baffled at how one day the government can be taken over and in just a few days everything is back to normal. Most M@lians do not seem to understand the bigness of what has happened and the consequences that these things have in the big international picture. At this point, most other countries are not recognizing this "new" government and therefore will not continue the vital support they give to M@li. Even though this event seems like it is finished..that it is over...the reality is this is just the beginning. Tonight as we sat at our friend O's house talking with the old man of the courtyard, we asked him whether he thought this was finished. For the first time, someone responded, "No this is not finished." His wisdom was profound as he talked about the events and how M@li got in this position.

It has been refreshing for Catherine and I to be among our M@lian family and friends these last two days. Yesterday and today, we had the opportunity to return to our regular routine to a small degree. Yesterday we visited our friends on the street. We came home yesterday from our time out and about with the realization that we must fix our thoughts on Jesus and trust G0d Alone. Our peace comes from trusting in G0d's plan for our days. That we must earnestly seek Him and walk with HIM through this time--continuing to allow Him to tell us where to go, what to do, who to spend time with, and how to spend our days. Perfect peace comes from our trust in Him and what He is doing even when it seems difficult, dangerous, or uncertain.

Today, C@therine spent the afternoon playing with the Special Olympics children she has been working with a couple of days a week. They play basketball and she spends time just loving and talking to them.  Then together we went to greet and visit our friend O and her family at their house. It was a sweet time of reconnecting after all of the recent events. The old man thought maybe we had gone back to America because we had not been there in 2 weeks. I must say it was a time of precious fellowship and peace as we sat talking together.

Please continue pr@ying for M@li tonight and tomorrow.

• The African United Nations sent a team of 6 delegates to M@li today and they will be meeting with the c0up leaders tomorrow, March 29th. The goal of this meeting is to ask the c0up leaders to step down. If these talks and negotiations do not work they have troops standing by to force them our. Please ask our Father to pour out His Sp1r1t on these meetings, that His will be done, and that peace will rule and reign.
  
• Pr@y for the people of M@li as the pressure and difficulties increase due to the many nations who are withholding their financial help from this new government.
• Ask G0d to give us wisdom as we walk with the M@lian people through these difficult days
  
• Pr@y for G0d to place His words in our mouths ...words that will point them to Him as the One who protects and provides for us.
• Pr@y for us to walk in obedience to all that G0d shows us and asks of us..no matter what that is
• Ask G0d to continue speaking and teaching us how to live, love, and serve in all kinds of circumstances

Tomorrow we will remain close to home only going out for a few necessary supplies in the morning. These days are still uncertain and with the negotiations and talks happening tomorrow we will remain sheltered with Him at home.
Thank you for your pr@yers, your skype messages, and your emails!! They bring great joy, strength, and encouragement!!

in perfect Peace...trusting and w0rshiping the eternal Rock...

Strength Through the Night

" O G0d you are my G0d. I earnestly search for You. My soul thirsts for You, my whole body longs for you in this dry and thirsty land where there is no water...I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you, your strong right hand holds me securely." Psalm 63

"L0rd, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing...I will bless the L0rd who guides me, even at night my heart instructs me. I know the L0rd is always with me, I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me...Psalm 16

This morning when I woke up, it was as if I was waking up in the middle of a deep conversation with G0d. I remember that I was talking to Him and that my heart was heavy. As I became more and more conscious and awake, that conversation continued. I found myself pouring out my heart and my concerns to G0d. There seemed to be many things on my heart on this 6th day of the c0up--a lot of uncertainties,thoughts about my friends and the struggles they face, and how the events here in M@li will effect the work G0d has asked us to do.  As I talked with him I was reminded of Psalm 63 and the confessions of David...his earnest search for G0d...his longing and thirsting after G0d...how he meditated on G0d through the night...how he would sing and cling to the One who helped him...his knowledge that he was in the strong grip of the One who held him securely. Then in my devotion this morning, the words of G0d continued to affirm that G0d's guidance and instructions come to our hearts at night. Even in our sleep, our G0d is with us, attending to us, and strengthening us. He continually makes us aware of His Presence even in the peace of the night. Though I had many concerns on my heart when I woke up, my G0d had empowered me through the night and the early morning to walk through this day and time knowing ...I will not be shaken for the L0rd is right beside me. It was a great start to the day, and it strengthened my confidence in the Sovereign L0rd of all creation!! He alone knows all, understands all, orchestrates all, and accomplishes all His plans and purposes!!

When I looked outside to see how the day was beginning in the neighborhood, we were back to a very quiet morning with not many people out and about and not many cars traveling the distance road. It was a holiday--Democracy Day--so people were not going to the market and not working. The day around our apartment was very quiet and peaceful all day.

Downtown today there was a march or demonstration against the c0up and its leaders. They were calling the c0up leaders to negotiate a rapid return to constitutional order and civilian rule. They presented themselves as a new political alliance. There were up to 2000 people there. Some left there to march toward the television/radio station. All that was done was peaceful and no violence was expressed.

Tomorrow is the day when all people are to return to their jobs and life is to return to normal. We received word from the embassy that we can go out of our homes during the day but are encouraged not to go beyond a 5 minute walk away. The airport will be opened from 8am - 1pm. We have been encouraged not to go into the downtown area yet. The situation is still very uncertain and we will continue to use wisdom as we take the next steps in this process.

Please pr@y for the following things:

• Possible meetings tomorrow between leaders the c0up leaders and those who will be negotiating the next steps with them
• Protection for those who venture out of their homes tomorrow
• Peace as people return to work and life as normal
• Wisdom for us all as we seek to know what G0d has planned for us and what He wants us to do next
• G0d's intervention in the northern part of M@li
• G0d's protection for the people of M@li from those who would come in to take away their freedoms
• G0d to pour out His Sp1r1t on the people and bring salvation and true peace 

Thank you for ALL the emails, skype messages, and personal touches you have shared with us!! Daily they encourage and strengthen us!!
We thank G0d for you all!

Unafraid and Under His Wing

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged for I am your G0d. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10-11

Thank you to everyone for your emails, your skype calls, words of encouragement, and scr1ptures to read!! It has been a blessing today to hear from so many of you and to know of your presence with us through this journey!! Today began in a much different way than the past few days. The last few mornings were just silent--absent of all noise except gunfire. Not this morning...The rhythms of life in Africa were the sounds I woke up to this morning.  Sounds I love so much like the children next door laughing and playing outside, people talking, the neighbor going out in his car, and the sounds of women cooking--pounding of the millet and the clanging of spoons in pots. Then there was the one sound that is difficult to hear each morning--the unhappy  and unending cries of one little baby that lives next door. Even that sound was a blessing today, since the child had been unusually silent the last 3 mornings. I could see green machines, taxis, motos, and people on the street in the distance. I could see the doors of the boutique opened for business and people had returned to the markets to buy and sell. This morning the rhythms that define life here were beating as normal! For that I stood looking out the window giving pr@ise to our G0d.

Things are far from over here, the events that have taken place are still being figured out, and the full rhythm  of life is not yet being played. But today a sense of restoration was happening in my neighborhood. We are still sheltering in place and remaining fairly invisible. We are living out the words of the ps@lmist in Ps@lm 91. I challenge you to read that with me today and maybe every day until this situation is resolved. Will you live with us in the shelter of the Most High and find rest in the shadow of the Alm1ghty? No matter the situations we all face, whether it is a coup in a foreign country, the joy of new life being given to us, the loss of something or someone important to us, or the realization of a life long dream, He alone is our refuge, our place of safety, our G0d and the One in whom we trust!! As our friends, family members, and those chosen to walk with us through this work in M@li, your f@ith and your declarations about our G0d are being tested and tried along with us. Let's believe him when he says, " I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation."

Will you also join us in pr@ying that the people of M@li will choose to live in the shelter of the Most High and find rest in the shadow of the Almighty? Will you pr@y that they will come to know the G0d described by the ps@lmist and understand by experience the salvation He alone gives?

We have at least 2 more days of sheltering and waiting to see what will unfold here. We hope tomorrow to spend our time sheltering by working peanuts at our house. Our friend O continues to go to the market to sell peanuts to provide for her family during this time. When we talked with her today, she said there is peanut work to be done tomorrow. Since we cannot go to her, her son will bring peanuts to us. I must say I did a little jig while we were talking about it. Pr@y for us as we continue to demonstrate J.s.s to her and her family. Pr@y for us to have time with O and her family to share with them about the G0d and S@vior we know as described in Ps@lm 91.

We love you all and thank G0d for you!!

unafraid and under His wing
peeping out at His gl0ry...