March 2020
Dear Friends in Christ,
Is. 26:3-4 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” Also, in Philippians we are told to not be full of care for anything but to take it to God in prayer and He will give us unbelievable peace. (Phil. 4:6-7) As the world around us responds with fear and panic, we can have peace as we trust God. We trust that He has a plan and that He is in control.
We do not trust that He will withhold all difficulties from our lives but will be with us through them. Last Thurs., Dave DeFord, our mission founder and former mission director was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and tested positive with COVID-19. Pray with us for the family as they can’t even stand at his side through this, yet we know that God never leaves us alone and is there for him. What peace can be found by trusting God!
Several of our family and friends have been checking up on us. We are doing well and were stocked up before this “social distancing” began: full pantry and freezer (and even tp on hand!-though eggs are a bit hard to find). We haven’t had many visitors though one family came to town for medical appointments and ate in our home as restaurants are closing their doors temporarily. Another spent the night as he was passing through on his way home. Internet and phone seem to be the method of reaching out and ministering these days.
Nursing homes are prohibiting visitors. Praying with one dear lady over the phone, she told us that her family had forgotten her. We reassured her that they hadn’t forgotten but no visitors were allowed. She most likely won’t remember what was said or understand the effect this virus is having all over the country, but for now our visitation is by phone. Remember to keep in contact with your elderly family and friends during this time and pray with and for them.
Last fall, we helped a missionary family on the Hopi reservation when they had to be away. A little girl was born to their family this past month and they wanted to get away for a couple of weeks as a family and we agreed to fill in again for them. This is a small group (2-3) meeting in their home and then Kid’s church in the afternoon (6-7?). We are traveling to Hopi land each week-end for the last 3 weeks of this month. Pray for this missionary family (Andy & Nancy) as they work among the Hopi people.
We were scheduled to be on the Navajo reservation for Easter services but not sure whether this will come about. This is a much larger group and we aren’t sure when the state will decided to lift their restrictions. Once again, it is good to know that God is in control-even of our scheduling.
We realize that many of you are having services via the internet these days. Thank you for your prayers for us and know that we often pray for you. Thank you for your financial gifts and support in our ministry.
II Cor. 2:11 “Ye also helping together by prayer for us.”