Trusting in HIM

Learning to trust in an invisible God is neither easy nor natural. However, as we seek his face in prayer, continue in the holy scriptures, and continue spending time with like-minded believers, he begins to win our hearts and confirm his work and grace in our lives. He presses us into obedience (often uncomfortable at first) and as we submit, we begin to taste the wonderful fruits of righteousness. His ways are not our ways, and truly his ways are far better. For “we must trust him fully all for us to do; [and] those who trust him wholly, find HIM wholly true.”

Restoration

I didn’t really understand how badly I needed to return to America until I was actually there for a while. I am not sure that I can call Western New York my home anymore, but it certainly is the land of my nativity; and I definitely needed the past 2.5 months to just restore my soul a bit. At first I felt like a foreigner in my own land and it took a few days to readjust. But I found myself having such compassion on the lost people of WNY. It is so sad to see so many who possess so much and yet are so lonely and empty inside. I thank God that almost everyone I passed tracts to received them gladly and thankfully. Certainly God used COVID and lockdowns to soften some hearts. It was also such a gift of God to allow our family to experience an absolutely beautiful fall (many long drives in the country and some hikes), and to give us the gift of an early and BIG snowfall! We had 2.5 feet fall in 3 days (and just 30 minutes south of us, they had 6 ft)! It was a blessing to be able to play in the snow with the children, make a snowman, and take them sledding. It’s amazing how the simple earthly things of the Lord can refresh the heart and soul of man.

Churches & Family & Friends

God opened the door for me to preach in and share the work in 13 churches during our visit there. We thank the LORD for the open door to minister the word and work of the LORD to God’s people. We also thank the LORD for the generosity of God’s people towards the work in Africa. It was also great to spend some quality time with family and give them a chance to meet and spend time with our children (my mother, father, and eldest brother being the chief recipients of this grace).  The LORD also connected us to some good and dear friends in Christ. The time spent with these believers was invaluable. There really are some people who long for the deep life in Christ and to be fully yielded and obedient to the Lord and his will in their lives. We pray that Christ will strengthen them unto such a life in HIM. 

Alberton Bible Church

It was truly wonderful to hear the good reports from the church in South Africa of how the Lord continued to work amongst them and within them in our absence. In fact, almost all have testified how the Lord magnified his grace in our absence! We really praise the LORD for this report. When we came back to South Africa, our first Sunday with the church was just wonderful! It was so good to see how the Lord indeed strengthened everyone in their walk with Christ and how many stepped up to exercise their gifts and remain faithful to the Lord and each other. For the most part, I just sat and observed and partook of the good fruits on that Sunday, it was truly special. I pray the Lord can continue to strengthen them all to abide in HIM regardless of who is present or absent in the flesh. But oh the joy and rejoicing that we had in the Lord and in one another on that Sunday! Truly, we got a very tiny taste of the joy we will experience when our Lord Jesus comes back from heaven one day to receive us unto himself! It was so neat to see how the true fruit on this earth is not physical at all, but it is the genuine spiritual fruit that is brought forth in real living men, women, and children of God. When he returns, that is what he is looking for: people, called out, abiding faithfully, and longing for HIM!

Lastly, we found out that Hannah is expecting child #5! Please hold us in prayer (and Hannah especially) for wisdom, strength, health, and guidance to establish our home in the Lord and to serve one another.