Faith is fading, desperate for your prayers.
Earlier today, we asked for prayers for Christina-she is doing better, but now we ask for ourselves.
Today(we are ok physically-Mitch has a large bump on his head, Char has a stiff back) our car (a 12 year old Toyota Rav4) was totaled here in Swaziland(we have just had it 6 weeks and spent nearly $8000 for it-supply and demand dictates prices here).
We have been here 2 months, and never felt attacked so much. Our emotions are spent. Upon arrival we discover that Children’s Cup has faced the loss of a major donor and multiple CarePoints will have to be closed, and many of the local Swazi staff will have to be let go. At the same time-we are trying to locate children who have moved due to the governments schooling system-creating issues for the other major organization that funds what Cup does on the ground. Monumental tasks to say the least. We are strangers in a strange land, where the culture is so counter to that in the USA-it is indescribable. 3 weeks ago the founder passed away shortly after landing in Johannesburg(was bringing a team with him to Swaziland). The Africa Director (son in law and daughter to the founder) was forced into high speed to clear everything, arrange for transport of “Pops” and get the family back to the United States. (pray for them too) This put Mitch in charge of Swaziland, and us absent “soul mate” friends (the Rodgers).
Systems, procedures, politics, and more that are truly unchartered-along with initial culture shock, and all that went with it. Lightning storms, power outages, water outages, telecommunication problems, driving on the other side of the road, speaking a different language. To say the least-we felt alone, ignorant, and defeated.
We know that this is what the enemy is wanting us to feel and see. We so desperately want to go home, but deep down inside know that we are supposed to be here. Faith is fading, we hold on by a string. We know that the only answer is prayer- we need you to pray for us. Please, we do not understand all that is happening and going on, but we do see that the devil is throwing in a lot of distractions. We know that he does not want this ministry to continue, to impact children and transform this country. We are filled with doubt (this we know is not of God), but are being fully transparent with you.
THIS is YOUR ministry- your prayers and support got us here-YOUR prayers will help keep us here and get us through this storm. The only thing in our head right now is a song from a card that arrived just yesterday (one of those digital cards) from Mom Bobbi in the USA. Casting Crowns “Praise you in this storm”. We so want to praise Him, we are struggling just to utter the words.
Tomorrow we fill out police reports, pay fines, and start looking for transportation (or see if what we have can be repaired…I do not know if/how that could be). Please do not misunderstand; we are not asking for pity, we are recognizing that we are not able to do this alone. We are under attack, and do not use those words lightly. We have no power left within us-it MUST come from our Father. Please pray.
6 comments:
Praying. Praying. Praying. That's all we've got. Wish we could be there to hug you both and cry with you, you're not alone!!!
Guys,
remember that this is not new. Many missionaries goes thru a tough time after 3 months. Granted that car accidents are not one of them, but know you are where you should be and just have a passionate faith in God's Character. He has everything in control and He will give the best for you,the kids and Cup. That has been me and Krieks security so many times. The safest place to be when it feels as if the world is coming down around you.
we will be praying for you guys and we stand with you. Let us know if there is anything we can help with. We can and we want to.
Lord Jesus, we ask for a hedge of protection around Mitch and Charlotte. Holy Spirit, comfort them, give them wisdom, supernaturally fill them up with renewed faith. Help them to take the thoughts captive that are not of you. Lord, they are weary, give them your strength, give them your peace, help them to mount up on wings of eagles to rise above the storms. Lord, give them favor with finding a new vehicle and Lord I ask that you just give them a sign that you are with them. Help them feel you in a deeper way. Take their levels of intimacy with you to a deeper level. Lord you are faithful and bigger than any problem they face. Renew them, refresh them and saturate them in your love. In Jesus name I pray.
There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.Proverbs 21:30
I am called to pray: Rachael Osborne sent me this and asked me to pray, these two verses I included immediately came to mind and I feel as if this one is specifically for Charlotte.
"Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." 2 Cor. 1:9
May God strengthen you, when you are weak, He is strong
Romans 5:3-4 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulations worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope."
This is a verse I found recently that helped me with last spring. I hope that it will help you too.
You are facing so much, but the two of you together, with God, and the others that are there, things will turn out how they are supposed to.
God has called you there, and he has a plan. This is extremely tough but it will make you stronger and rewards will come.
Another thing that has helped me is Josh Wilson's song "Before the Morning" and Kutless's song "What Faith can do"
I will be praying for you.
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