Let Us Trust In the Lord

Friends,

I’m writing to you from East Africa where I am attending meetings in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Kenya. Paul, Scott, Alan and myself arrived in Rwanda two days ago and are on our way to Burundi. In the next few days I hope to share some thoughts from my first day in Rwanda at www.fallen-scales.com but at this point I would like for you to join me in prayer:

While we are traveling, please pray for our families.

We learned within the last few days that two of our Ugandan partner churches are experiencing heavy spiritual warfare. Please pray against the forces that are opposing the church, their care for the children, and the advancement of the Gospel. There is a Muslim contingent trying to subvert the ministry of one of these churches. I am reminded of what occurred almost one year ago when Islamic businessmen who bribed city officials and attempted to illegally seize the land destroyed the Fountain of Life Children’s Home in Nairobi.

- Pray for guidance and clarity as we continue to develop our partnerships in Rwanda. There is much work to do in this country and God has given us great partners to assist as they continue ministering for reconciliation and healing. The memories of genocide are ever present but the Church is doing amazing things.

- Pray for out time in Burundi as rebel contingents are creating a heightened security threat within the city. There has been an increase in hostage taking for monetary purposes. In addition, pray that our partnership discussions are fruitful- that we might be a part of the Church’s response to the many issues facing the children.

- Pray for the World Orphans representatives who are traveling to Iraq over the next several days to continue the work God has placed before us. Pray also for our Iraqi friends who are living each day for the sake of the Gospel. May our partnership rescue Iraqi orphans who will be tomorrow’s missionaries to Iran, to Syria, to Turkey, and to the ends of the Earth.

Sitting in Kigali waiting to catch our flight to Burundi, I think of all the great things God has done this year. However, in the midst of this, it seems that we are beset by challenges- in Uganda, in Iraq and all the areas of the world in which we are working. We are challenged within our ministry and we all have our personal challenges… I am comforted to know that God is with us all and for the prayers and fellowship of the saints. I want to share Psalm 20 with you as it has encouraged me today:

‘May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help fro the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all of your sacrifices and accept your offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up your banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all of your requests. Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from his Holy Heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. O Lord save the King! Answer us when we call!’

May we trust not in ourselves, but in the Lord almighty.

Michael