Mrs. Agnes David. I had just opened the blank airmail envelope so commonly
delivered to our door and received by Daniel, our indoor worker. No name on
the outside, the inside addressed to Mrs. Agnes David. Couldn’t think of
anyone I had met here by that name, though Agnes and David are both familiar
English versions of names around here . . . A moment later it hit me - I’M
Mrs. Agnes David!! I remembered the way some of the local people have been
trying to prounonce Annelise and realized it did indeed sound quite a bit
like Agnes. Once again, a request for a loan . . . I read through it and
prayed for wisdom.

I remember hearing from my parents growing up, that being rich isn’t all
it’s cracked up to be. It’s a big responsibility. We’re feeling that here.
Though we have a very small salary by American standards, compared to the
locals here, we are rich, successful and important people. The kind of
people who truly have endless money just waiting to be given away. They all
come asking. I find myself stretched constantly by the requests. Requests
for a mosquito net, a mattress, food to feed a ten year old boy and his
siblings who have no parents currently at home, money to fix broken shoes,
money to relieve pain from terrible periodontal disease, requests for food
and clean water from local children. If I gave meals to all the children at
my door I would be feeding 50 regularly. I say no. I don’t like saying no.
We are confronted constantly with these requests and rely on the Holy
Spirit’s guidance. Please pray that we would not try to fall back on our
own wisdom (which basically means trying to meet needs in a way we consider
sustainable), but instead rely on God’s, case by case.

Pray for Katusabe, a slave to witchcraft but who also uses Jesus name when
it comes in handy; for Barungie William, a thief who needs Jesus.

Pray for our hearts to be soft, patient and gracious with the locals and
with each other.