November 28, 2012

Do you ever question if you are making the right decisions? I did this week and once again I have proof that “the Word of God is living and active” (Hebrews 4:12).  I'm continuing to ‘break-in’ my new Bible by reading it through and marking favourite verses and yesterday, it was time to begin at Joshua 3. I should not have been so astounded, but I was by how God’s Words offered the assurance that I needed – just when I needed it!

I was on my way to meet new co-workers, offering to help share their stories of how God is at work among Unreached People Groups in their adopted homes. To be honest, I'm a bit overwhelmed by expanding my work area to all of Sub-Saharan Africa and unsure of my ability to capably share the stories of people from countries where I have never visited or had close friends – thus my questions about if I was on the right path!

Then, as has often happened, the thoughts and plans bouncing through my head, took a new direction with the needed assurance that I was responding not to my ‘chosen’ path, but the one God had chosen for me to follow as my ‘work area’ expands. So, this week rather than a report of our week in words, I'm sharing our week through today's photos and am sharing what I learned in yesterday’s devotion:

As the Israelites began their long awaited journey into their promised land, “Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you” (Joshua 3:5). My reaction: This is a rather exciting expectation, but I usually spot the truly amazing things that our Father does. My problem is overlooking the little every-day amazing things AND that is what I think God is asking and gifted me to do – to see the little stories of how He is at work among the People Groups of Sub-Saharan Africa – the little stories which I have learned are often the ones that our supporters need and/or want to hear, the stories which touch their hearts and their desire to be a part of God’s work in our part of the world.

“Joshua said to the Israelites, ‘Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God’” (Joshua 3:9). I had noted this verse before, but yesterday it reminded me that this is what Jack, I and our co-workers are seeking to do: SHARE God’s words with those who have never heard or understood them.

Joshua 5:1 shares the response of the kings along the Israelites journey when they “heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan” – the amazing promised thing – and how “their hearts melted in fear and no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.” This is what Jack (as he teaches and mentors) and I want to be a part of – the hearts of Peoples Groups melting as they hear of the amazing stories of our Father resulting in their no longer having the courage to face anything but His truths, His promises!

I hope by now you understand why these verses offered me God’s assurance that I am obeying His direction! After 34 years of working in Sub-Saharan Africa, I know we must have prayer, financial and personnel support. I also know that when you and others hear our stories of what happens when we share God’s Words with the unreached, you will offer the needed support. And that is what I want to do – help my co-workers share their stories of the amazing things God is doing among the Peoples of our part of the world!

Yes, this is long again, but a few more areas where prayer is needed. Pray that God will direct us as we meet many old and new friends today at the funeral of the mother of Victor Kimani, our Kenyan pastor. Pray for wisdom as Jack attends meetings with leaders of the Baptist Convention of Kenya this week. I need prayers as I begin this year’s Lottie Moon emphasis with stories from all of Sub-Saharan Africa. Pray especially for me as I find creative ways to share the stories of those who cannot freely share their work among some Unreached People Groups. BERT
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For a sneak preview of https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?fref=ts – IF you’re not on Facebook, simply CLICK close on the lower corner of the big square that appears, if you are on FACEBOOK, log in!
Or you can view/read the stories of what God is up to in Sub-Saharan Africa at 2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa - http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/.