"... now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? ...”
Luke 18:1 - 8
The start of the New Year brought much sadness to this province. Last year, the governor was put into jail to the anger of his many supporters. Just after Christmas, he passed away from a kidney infection. This set off a wave of disruption and protests. Please pray that injustices will be righted, the area will calm down, and that peace will reign in the province so the work of the Gospel will be unhindered.
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
The translators for the "T" people are traveling this week. Pray for safe travels and also for them as they deal with grief surrounding the death of one of their parents.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because ... He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted,"
In 2023, airline prices increased making necessary travel to the US almost impossible. Please pray that prices drop so that I, Mary, may travel for my doctor's appointment in June.
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:"
The New Testament for this group was dedicated several years ago and they are now working on the Old Testament. Pray for the checking of several portions of the Old Testament. Pray for the workers to discern the language nuances.
"Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law;
yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart."
One translation team is back in their village location after spending some time away. They write that the husband was asked to speak several times in the churches and their house is finally clean, with food and supplies mostly put away. Rats had gnawed into a cupboard and had a heyday, and a storm had blown in lots of dirt."
"Thus far has the Lord helped us."
Please pray for our finances. Our support fluctuates wildly from month-to-month. We, of course, plan for that. But this month's salary omitted approximately $3000 which was gifted to us. That has been tracked down and we may be receiving the remainder soon. PLEASE PRAY THAT WILL HAPPEN ASAP. Also, please pray for me. The stress of tracking things down is affecting my cold agglutinin disease and making breathing painful. It has also caused me to fall behind some responsibilities. Pray I catch up.
"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
Please pray that we will be understanding of their needs and help them to mature in Christ.
"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."
School at Hillcrest began on Tuesday. Mike has the normal round of classes and very little preparation time. Please pray that he'll not be overwhelmed.
"And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God."
Praise the Lord that my tickets were booked to cross the Pacific Ocean instead of the Middle East. My trips were smooth and uneventful. Praise the Lord for friends in Bali with whom I spent some layover time before continuing on to Sentani.
"The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in
from this time forth, and even for evermore."
My trip to the States was jam-packed with personal business. This wasn't to say I didn't have fun moments as well. I met with friends from my elementary school days (that ended in 1966). I had Thanksgiving Dinner with family. I also was refreshed by worshipping at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Opelika. I had wonderful friends who arranged for me to view some football games and basketball games with them. My brother, as well, helped hire me to work as event staff more of the games. That helped me pay for gas and food while I was visiting. Praise the Lord for a positive visit.
"They were continually devoting themselves ... to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
On Saturday, Jan 6, our boys returned after spending a wonderful time with their family. They were happy, and well-prepared for their school to begin on Monday.
"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord, rather than for men."
Praise the Lord that Hillcrest began it's New Year with a minimum of difficulty despite things being changed at the last minute.
"Let all things be done decently and in order."
The Moi New Testament was dedicated January 4, 2024. It was a wonderful celebration of 20 years of work. God has changed the hearts of superstitious people believing in a pantheon of gods to serving the one true God of all creation.
"they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
We can always give thanks for God's blessings. He has blessed us with strong family connections. The holiday season is a marathon in family celebrations. We have two on Dec. 13, one on Dec. 26, one on the 27th, three on the 29th, 30th, and 31. January doesn't slow down. Days 3, 4, 8, and 9 are birthdays. Finally the last is on the 19th. We give thanks for our family.
But He sets the needy securely on high away from affliction,
And makes his families like a flock.