Thursday, September 1, 2011

Wait Patiently

"Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised." - Hebrews 6:15 (NLT)

In Genesis 12:2 God promised Abraham that he would make him "into a great nation." This promise, of course, implied that Abraham would have a son. After ten years, Abraham decided to appoint his servant Eliezer as his heir since the Lord had not given him any children. But the Lord promised Abraham that he would have a son of his own. Fifteen years later, when Abraham was one hundred years old, his son Isaac was born. Abraham waited twenty-five years for the promise of God to be fulfilled.

It has been eleven years since God placed the vision of Bible translation on our hearts, and it has been nearly two years since we started the process of becoming Bible translators. Now with our pre-field training complete, it is difficult to wait another four and a half months until our departure to Papua New Guinea in January. But we know that we must wait patiently and continue what God has for us here until the time comes for us to leave. That includes sharing our message at churches, saying goodbye to friends and family, going through all of our possessions to figure out what to sell, store, or ship overseas, and preparing ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually for what lies ahead.

Please pray that we would be able to wait patiently so that we too can receive what God has promised and that God would bless us so that we (like Abraham) may be a blessing to others.

Prayer Requests
Praise God for the approval of our work permit in August, and pray that our visas will also be approved. Pray that God will help us begin our final preparations to move to Papua New Guinea in January.

Bella and her friend Lila having fun
at the University of North Dakota.
By The Numbers
Months to Departure: 4
Days Away from Home This Summer: 80

Calendar
Sep 4 - Newhall Church of the Nazarene
Sep 7 - Faith Chapel
Sep 11 - Calvary Assembly of God
Sep 18 - Calvary Christian Center
Sep 18 - Walnut Grove (evening service)
Sep 25 - Ingomar Church
Sep 27 - Brooklyn Tabernacle