Praise and Reflection- Feb. 2018

Dear Prayer Supporters,

Praise

We woke early one morning to an amazing African thunderstorm a week or so ago. The temperatures tumbled 20 degrees into the low 80’s that day-what a wonderful, refreshing, sweet relief from the oppressive heat we had been experiencing. Thank you, Lord, -it was truly heaven-sent.

Grace

We had been experiencing a week of temperatures in the 100’s with only electricity about 10% of the time that week-so no fans. The water issue became increasingly worse, we were without running water from 7:00 in the morning until around 6:00 in the evening. We learned to fill our buckets every night to get us through the next day. We had been praying for relief from the heat, for water and electricity. One morning while having devotions I was reading when Paul asked God to relieve him from the “thorn” in his side and all the imprisonment and torturing etc. God answered him not as he had expected.  God said to him” My grace is sufficient.”  That morning God said to me “My grace is sufficient.” Now, I am in no way comparing our situation to that of Paul’s-only to say that when I focus my requests on temporal needs I find I miss the deeper spiritual work God wants to do in me.

Humbling

One night when we had run out of water, we walked around to all the water sources-all to no avail. Everything was empty.  At the back of the campus an elderly, displaced woman who lives in a little metal shack at the back of the campus, offered us her container of water.  We were so humbled but graciously declined. On our way back to our house, Joel, a young man, took my bucket and ran outside of FATEB looking for water.  He returned empty-handed.  Our neighbor noticed and within minutes sent his son to our house with a bucket of their water.  We were so humbled by their genuine love and concern and willingness to share what little they had with us.  The community of believers here, the students and their families, live out their faith daily, we see them sharing what little they have with those in need. They are the hands and feet of Jesus! I pray that we are demonstrating our faith in such a way that only Jesus is seen and that we are His hands and feet and showing His love to a lost world in need of a Savior and sharing with those in need here at FATEB.   I John 3 :18 “… let us not love in word or tongue, but in deed and truth.”

I Peter 1:22 “Since you have in obedience to the truth, purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren fervently love one another from the heart,”

The work continues at the Leadership center and the programs for the children, teen girls, teen boys and women’s school continue, English class continues to challenge and stretch me – all glory to God! Water situation is better now-thank you Lord.

In Christ,

Marilyn for the both of us