Moral Support

I recieved an encouraging email from a friend who was a missionary in Africa and is now back in Santa Cruz supporting us by prayer and moral support. Her name is Carrie Wheeler and this is her email (she gave me permission to post it)... Thank you Carrie!

Hi- this is Carrie. I hope and pray that you are well in the Lord and His work. We were praying for you and your easter service and I am thankful that you and your family were faithful to deliver the "goods" to the people. The gospel of truth. Simple yet incomprehensible.

I just wanted to share something with you guys that I have been thinking about since I saw your blog and heard about how your easter service went. I am glad that you are able to critique yourself about your message and what you might've done different. I am reminded though, of Jonah and his message, as I was listening to today. The whole city repented at the preaching of Jonah, and he couldn't have cared less for the Ninehvites.His message was heartless and cold. I am also reminded of Jeremiah, an awesome servant of God, who was faithful to all God had for him to do. When he was tired of sharing he said the Word burned in His heart and he couldn't help but share. But in all his time and life, no converts. Not one. No single soul touched unto repentance. What a contrast!! Just wanted to encourage you that it is not about the messenger, though we are obviously called to be a vessel and holy, but it is God who saves and He can do it through Jonah or Jeremiah. He can do it through a donkey. Be encouraged, it is so freeing to know that all you are supposed to do is share the truth. You have done that and well and I am always so blessed to see all that you are doing there and your love for the people and your hearts for the Lord. The videos always bless me and I am so thankful that you are there and the Lord is proud of you. I always had to ask the question- what if I never saw one person come to Christ through my ministry? The Lord doesn't usually do that but it is surely a matter of the heart. Is the Lord enough for me? I have often felt like Jeremiah, with no visible fruit in all my time in Africa, but I have to know that our work in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor 15:58

I pray for you always and know that the Lord is greatly working for His Name through your service,

Carrie

Memories from Ukraine 2004

Here's a video I made in 2004 when we were missionaries in Ukraine. When we don't feel like we are making that much of a difference, it gives us hope to look back and see the fruit of changed lives. O how we desire to see God pouring out His Spirit in Latvia too. Although Latvia and Ukraine share a communist past, their cultures and spiritual openness are quite different. I believe God used our time in Ukraine to prepare us for Latvia but it is also evident that it's a unique situation here which keeps us praying that we will be lead by His Spirit not just trying to repeat past victories.