Monday, February 21, 2011

A Roaring Lion

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour."
( 1 Peter 5:8)




We have felt the prowling and roaring of the lion lately. Our enemy.

As we look back over the year- we think about all that God has done. There are now 15-20 men who weekly are hearing the Word and being trained to be pastors. These men one year ago were not even being trained.
There are now 20 orphans that were not being cared for, or going to school that now have someone who cares about them and is helping them. We see how much the Lord has done in one year directly through our work here. His work is going forth and we have rejoiced at the opportunities the Lord has opened up.

As we ended the year and began a new one though, we know in a real and felt sense that our enemy is seeking to devour us. Though difficult to expose our burdens and issues, we are in need of prayer and that is why we share this.

The enemy is seeking to depress us and whisper lies in our ears. He is seeking to frustrate us and discourage us and is seeking to devour our marriage.

We are seeking the Lord in prayer, and ask that you pray specifically for us. We are fighting back but he has been prowling and trying hard.

As we were sent out, we were reminded that we now have an even bigger target for the enemy on our backs so to speak. We were also told by others that your marriage will be tested on the field.

We have experienced both of these things.
James and I love each other dearly and are committed for life to each other. Period. (And Since I am writing the blog I can honestly say, he is the best husband a woman could ask for. Period! ) We are fighting against the enemy and not each other but it is a real fight.
We were hopeful and most likely pridefully trusting in our own blessed 15 years of marriage to "make it" and grow stronger on the field here in Africa. But we have felt the emotional strain and struggles personally and together and that has made for some difficult months. Sin is always involved and I know for me, I can easily focus on my needs and wants and become selfish to what everyone else is needing and feeling.

Another verse in 1 Peter- 4:8
"Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins".
We are seeking daily to fervently love one another and praying that the Lord, sees us through this challenging time.

We are already seeing the Lord's hand working through these things and are trusting that in the end it is making us more Christ-like. Because even though Satan is at work, and our own sinful hearts are involved, we know God is at work as well. But it is a REAL spiritual Warfare. We are in the battlefield and at times we are laying on the ground. Please pray for us.

I know for James as well he has had a lot to handle trying to help me in my own emotional times. I don't quite know what a nervous breakdown is, but he thinks I was close to having one a few months ago. And while I have been struggling, he had taken up so much at home and trying to help me through my own difficult times , keeping the family going that he was drained himself just with my own issues. Let alone having to deal with his own challenges…

Sometimes just the weight of all that has gone on in one year hits us and is draining. 2 of our children hospitalized in a 3rd world country, 1 child adopted and trying to transition into the home, emotional strain and stress, overwhelming responsibilities with ministry and home at times….Still trying to fit in to a totally different culture unlike anything you have ever experienced. Missing the close ties and relationships with our church family and our own families.
Many of these things at the time they were happening were hard, but it seemed like we pressed on through it until we reached the end of the year and it was like as if it all happened at once and it came crashing on us.

We know many of you have prayed for us and upheld us through several different trials and transitions over the year.
We are so thankful for your prayers and ask that you pray with more knowledge now.

10 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing this. We will pray for you fervently. You were always there for us. We do love and miss you all. Jeff and Mary

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  2. Hi, we’ve never met, but I’ve been reading your blog since your move to Zambia (I was looking for blogs on orphans and Zambia at the time. My husband is Zambian, and we moved to Tanzania last year.)

    I just wanted to encourage you that what you are doing will bear fruit (and as you mention in your post, you’re seeing some fruit already). I’m praying that you stand firm through satan’s attacks.

    Your enemies will not triumph over you. No-one whose hope is in God will ever be put to shame. (Ps 25:2-3)

    I’ll continue to stand with you in prayer. Becky Mofya

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  3. I am so sorry to hear this. I keep the family picture of you guys in my bible and when I am at work I am constantly praying for you guys....I have only heard James preach once at my Church (RBCR)and I have never met him but the Lord has laid your family on my heart, so I have been constantly praying for the both of you and your family..I will continue to do so and may the Lord grant you and your family peace & rest from this hard time...Lopez Family

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  4. We will be praying for you. The Lord will have victory over the enemy! You can both fight with determination and hope! "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the Holy Spirit." Rom. 15:13
    The Lord WILL give grace to the humble!!
    1 Peter 5:6-10 Precious verses for times of testing!

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  5. "... the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:3-4

    Megan and James, I can attest from over three decades of experience that my default reaction to the pain and pressure of trials is to want them to end IMMEDIATELY. However, in this quiet moment I can admit that my Lord was perfectly accomplishing His work all the while I was groaning and wanting relief.

    I will pray that our Lord will bring you the much desired end to this round of testing and that you will come forth as gold (Job 23:10).

    In Christ our Lord,
    Bob

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  6. We're all praying hard for you guys. We love you and miss you. I know Carl and Mom are also sending telepathic GIANT HUGS to every one of you.

    Cling to Him and Him alone, brother and sister, and know that we are doing our best to "hold the ropes."

    In Christ,
    Veronika

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  7. Megan & James
    We have been and will continue to pray with and for you. As I read this post, I thought of the full armor of God. Praying you will continue to consciously be ready for this spiritual battle that goes on for all of us daily. We love you & look forward to the day we can fellowship together again. Dan & Malissa Beamer
    Ephesians 6
    10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

    18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

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  8. We are praying that God will continue to sustain and uphold you by the power of His Spirit. We miss you, but know that you are doing work for the Kingdom of God. Gordon & Shirley

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  9. You know i know what you are going through. Those emotions are still fresh in my memory. The Lord can hold you safely even when the storms assail you!

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  10. I will pray for you and your family.

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