Michael made it home, he is exhausted and with fever. A good ole southern meal awaited him: Fried chicken, green beans, rice and gravy, biscuits and apple crips.
Please pray that he will get well soon. Pray that he has no fever on Friday. He and the preaching team is travelling to Town Z Sat/Sun for the end of the month service there and in two other villages "T", and "Y". I asked him last night if he should cancel and he said no, he promised and they are waiting for him.
The rest of us are finally well and ready to take care of him.
One of the highlights after Daddy's trips is when we sit around and hear his stories and watch video/pictures. We loved hearing some of his stories last night and watching a little video and seeing a few pictures.
He said at one point, they drove for 18 hrs straight in one part of the trip, and only saw 3 vehicles along the road, and no villages or gas stations (they had 150 liters of gas in jugs with them)
In parts of the trip, they traveled on some frozen lakes/rivers, some of the places had hot springs shooting up along side them, and holes/cracks in the ice, that they had to drive around, and the bridges were what seemed impossible to cross. (like the Jordan, or the Red Sea). Some of the roads were narrow, with lots of holes/bumps and as they drove on unfamiliar road, they did not know what might be around the bend. They had flat tires, fender bender, close calls, got stuck, heater malfunctions and more, all in -30 F weather.
The Lord gave them so much wisdom of when to turn off and go a different way, when to turn around and go back, and when to "rebuild the bridge" before crossing. They were in constant communion with Him as to where to go, when to continue on and when to stop. Just like our spiritual lives; our journey. The road of life. When we choose to follow Jesus, it isnt always "smooth" traveling on cruise control. There is a spiritual war to battle, physical/emotional/mental pains to bear, sins to conquer, and tragedies to face. God takes us places that we have never passed before, when we are following hard after Him.
All along the way, the road at times is unfamiliar, with dangers along the way (seen and unseen). There are stretches of time in our lives when it seems we travel the road alone, and dangerous bridges to cross to get to the other side. There are unexpected bumps and holes to dodge and get around, sins to confess, problems to solve, relationships that need special mending/attention/reconciliation, decisions to make. Sometimes we need to plan ahead and take enough provisions, and sometimes we have to rest in Him and wait in Him to provide. Sometimes He sends others to help us along the way and sometimes, He teaches us He is all we need.
When we are fully obedient not turning to the right or left, in constant communion with Him and seeking for His counsel, in His Word; He is with us, fighting for us, guiding us, giving us direction, whispering, turn left, turn right, stop here, wait on Me, turn around, go around/detour, repent (change your course), move forward, repair the breach, cross over. And always speaking "Be strong and Courageous", and "Do not fear, I am with you.", and "Be careful to obey all I have commanded you."
The video footage I saw made me even more sure that God was protecting and watching over them. He is faithful.
MEN AND THEIR ADVENTEROUS NATURES.
It was a great trip, but unfortunately little fruit to be seen at this point. He said those villages/people were the “coldest” less interested he has seen since our arrival 3 years ago. That just means to us that they need Jesus all the more, and gives us even more urgency to get to all the people in our region without Him. Only 2 or 3 people showed up at the 3 concerts/services, and one lady for sure repented, but it was and is always worth it even for just one. We are reminded that Jesus died for ONE and all. If you were the only person on earth, you are worth His mercy, grace, love and forgiveness. He counts each of us worthy, though we are not deserving.
While door to door witnessing many people received His Word, and heard the Gospel for the first time. We all know He promises that His Word will not return void. So continue to pray with us for the Holy Spirit to touch their hearts. Also pray for Alexei and his family serving in such a “hard” place with little fruit to be obedient, faithful and have courage to press on and not be discouraged, fearful or dismayed.
THANKS FOR READING (IF ANYONE IS READING) AND SHARING IN THE STORIES/WORK/LIFE HE HAS BLESSED ME WITH HERE IN SIBERIA.
Pray for us to be faithful, fully obedient, strong, courageous, bold servants of Jesus, and to persevere to the end,
Wherever you are on this journey, I pray you are fully obeying, following hard after Jesus and totally abiding in Him as He takes you places in your life that you may have never passed before, for His glory !
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