May 2020 Volume 5 Issue 3
Dear Pastor and praying friends:
I can say I did not envision where we would be right now, as many of you did not imagine everything that has transpired since our last letter. As you have most likely read in other missionary prayer letters, we are grounded. We are currently with family in Delaware and have been stuck here since the middle of March.
During this time we have remained busy, helping out in my brother’s church, keeping the church lawn mowed, kids programs, and setting up the online and radio Church services.
I praise the Lord there were only four scheduled meetings that we could not attend due to the restrictions on travel and assembly. I know that it seems strange to praise the Lord for missed meetings but, knowing we are at the end of our deputation, we see God has provided for us. These events remind me to pray more for the missionaries that are still in the beginning to middle stages of their deputation.
I also want to praise the Lord for his provision, we have seen our best months of support come in during this time, we have not lacked in anything. Thank you all for sacrificing to meet our needs, we pray for you that God would continue to provide your needs. Remember God’s Word in Psalm 37:23-25, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
We had a splendid time with the three churches we were able to visit March through April. We made new friends and prayer partners, enjoyed their generosity, hospitality, support, and friendship. Each church greatly blessed us. Sweet Springs Baptist Church (Ardmore, AL), Lighthouse Baptist Church (Horseheads, NY), and Centerville Baptist Church (South Boston, VA) voted to partner with us in reaching Mozambique. We currently have 92% support coming in and are praying that God will bring our support to 100% quickly. I praise God for the safety He has provided as we have traveled over 5,000 miles since our last prayer letter.
Please Pray for God’s provision regarding our truck repairs, we have not been able to cover the complete cost at this time. Pray that God will quickly allow everything to fall into place for us to leave for language school.
Family Updates by Lorin
Deacon (5) is loving time with his cousins during the shutdown. One cousin is 3 months older than he is and when the two get together they are partners in crime. They love digging holes in the ground, playing army with sticks, Nerf guns, throwing things, tormenting younger siblings, and all the things that 5-year-old boys do. It has been a good connection time for him. Deacon is also a baby whisperer. He loves his baby brother and baby cousin. He loves doing tricks for them and loves to make them smile and laugh.
Eden (3) My baby girl is turning 4 on the 18th of May !!! I can’t believe she is getting so big. Her hair is growing back and we are able to now put bows in her hair. She is loving princess things right now, so we are having a princess birthday party for her. We are going to surprise her, her Grandma and Grandpa (Lorin’s Parents) will be there to celebrate. Eden has also been enjoying cousin time. Playing on swings, playing with dolls, playing as a princess, and playing house. It has been great!
Enoch (15 m) This little guy has been advancing so much in the past few months as he has been freed from the car seat. He has taken his first few steps on his own, says all different types of words (All done, more, mom, daddy, and more), he likes to baby sign them too. He has been sleeping in his own bed without screaming and is starting to day wean. His newest trick is opening the fridge!!!! He loves to climb in the fridge and touch everything. We have to keep a very close eye on him. He loves cabinets and all the kitchen things. He is very very busy.
I Thessalonians 5:25 “Brethren, pray for us.”
Prayer Requests:
- Safety as we continue traveling
- For the many Churches that have said they would like to take us on for support, pray God would enable them to have the finances to support us.
- For our current supporting churches as some are having financial struggles.
- We will raise the support needed to go to the field, and that we can be done with deputation quickly.
- For the People of Mozambique that God would work even now in the hearts and lives of the people to prepare them for the Gospel.
- For our ability to learn quickly as we begin to study Portuguese.
- For our continued good health, so that there will be no setbacks on the Deputation Trail.
- That our Spiritual lives will remain close to God, for us to grow each day closer to him, and not stray from His will or be caught up in the snares of the Devil.
- For our Truck.
