How do you weep with those who weep and laugh with those who laugh, all at the same time? A couple of weeks ago, we sat in our living room rejoicing as some of our friends shared how the gospel has been received in their village – at times nearly 100 people attending on this tiny island, brand new believers writing worship songs in their own language, new believers already desperate to share what Christ has done in their lives, and lead others to him. Every time we hear these stories it reminds us why we are here, and we were still rejoicing a few days later when we received a message from some other friends: “Please pray. There’s been trouble”. There is a handful of new believers in their area, and many more are hungry to hear the message. Faithfully several times a week this missionary has hiked to a small house where people would gather, hungry to hear the lessons and learn more about the Deliverer. The small group of believers is having their new faith tested in difficult ways as a family member has been killed, and centuries old customs tell them that there must be revenge. Meanwhile the group that has been listening to the lessons is torn apart, dealing with fear, anger and bitterness as one of their members is dead. Rejoice with us over the new believers, and pray with us that the Lord will show himself strong in the midst of tragedy. Pray that the new believers will stand strong and not give in to pressure from their friends and from a culture that demands revenge. Pray that the love of Christ will overcome the fear in the hearts of those who have not yet heard the gospel but are hungry and have been listening. Above all, Paul tells us to give thanks in all things, so we ask that you thank the Lord with us, even for the hard things, and anticipate with us how He will use all of this for His glory and to bring people to Himself!
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