June 2008 Update

By the time you receive this update, I (Jon) will be finishing up some training at the Far Reaching Ministries (FRM) office in Murrieta, CA, and preparing to get back to Africa. It’s been too long, and the burden and vision the Lord has given to us is stronger now than when He first called us.

This past couple of months has been a season in our lives that I have personally found difficult. My human nature tends to lack patience, and absolutely loathes interruption. When the Lord asked us to stay in the States longer than we originally planned, it felt that what we were supposed to be doing was being interrupted, and I struggled to have patience. The truth of the matter is, that while there are two very practical reasons for this time in the States - to complete our training with FRM, and to raise the financial support we are lacking - the Lord, in His perfect wisdom, had many other plans and reasons unbeknownst to me. And of course... hindsight is 20-20 (almost).

For example...
* For those of you who do not yet know, Carrie is several months pregnant. The healthcare here in the States is much better than where we live in Africa, so being here for the pregnancy has been an unforeseen blessing. Additionally, we were able to get low-cost medical care for the duration of the pregnancy here in the States, while we would have had to pay a few thousand dollars for it in Africa.
* While living in Murrieta I remembered that an old friend (a former coworker from three years ago) lived nearby. I found his number and was able to get in touch. As it turned out, he and his wife had been having a weekly study time with two Jehovah’s Witnesses at their house. They were very eager to have me come over and talk to them about the Bible and to ask me questions about what they were being told. They had not yet become members of the Watchtower, but they were impressed with their teaching and wanted to be sure they were learning the truth. I can’t tell you what a blessing it was to be able to go to their house and answer many of their questions. We bought them a brand new Bible (a New King James Version) and showed them through Scripture what God Himself said about their questions. Before the evening ended I was able to pray with them both to receive Christ and His Spirit, by which they could be lead into the truth. I am now meeting with them weekly to read through the Bible and encourage them in the truths that it teaches! While this story is far from over, I truly can’t express how grateful I am that the Lord would count me worthy to be used to disciple this couple. For those of you that know me, you know how heartbroken I would have been to find out later that these two were full-fledged, baptized members of the Watchtower without me having the opportunity to intercede. Even in the tasks that the Lord sets before us He is gracious - in when and which He chooses for us.

There are other examples I could give and some that I cannot share, all of which would only further prove what I should have clung to all along... God always has a plan, and His plan is always best. So, though I didn’t like the interruption at first, and even considered that God was “sidelining” us, I can see much more clearly now.

Last month I wrote about the famous verse, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Now you can see the practical side of how the Lord was working out that verse in our lives.

We now prepare to get back to the business of ministry in Africa, armed with the strength and understanding gained over the past few months. Whatever may come, no matter how it matches up to the plans I imagined, God will accomplish His will. “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” - Romans 11:36a

We covet your prayers...
-Please pray for wisdom and grace as I (Jon) continue to disciple my friend in Murrieta. Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead him into the truth and give him the courage to reject the teaching of the Watchtower.
-Please pray for the Lord’s grace in providing for our monthly financial support and the support of the projects He has given us a vision for.
-Please pray for wisdom and favor in locating the right property for the youth center in Kigoma, and also for the finances to pay for it.
-Please pray for the believers at the church in Kigoma, that the Lord would use me greatly, that He would encourage them by His Word and meet their every need. Also, that He would give us wisdom and favor in finding the right land and/or building for the church (we will need to move soon).
-Please pray the Lord would give Carrie and I wisdom and clear counsel on where they will stay while I’m ministering in Africa for the next couple of months before the baby is born. If anyone has a vacant house they need watched or a guest house or other similar situation, please let us know.

We would love to come and share at your church and encourage the body. Please contact us to arrange a time for us to come. We still have several open dates.