Over the last few weeks we have experienced some significant discouragements. Particularly, someone who works for us having experienced some significant signs of mental illness or instability and our involvement with the local church and orphan school having led to serious dispute in the community.
Such is life.
We praise God for his intervention in the church situation. After feeling strongly led to purchase land for our local Pentecostal church, we found ourselves and Daniel, our pastor and worker, in the midst of conflict. As usual, money caused a lot of consternation. And as a result the church’s relationship with the orphan school was found to be somewhat destructive to both. Though the church is doing well we have faced eviction from our premises on a Sunday morning before church, the church’s few belongings held against our will by the previous landlord (drums, benches), and the defamation of our pastor’s name. And I was the recipients of some hostile and intense letters and speeches. I am thankful that both we and Daniel were given grace by God to handle this conflict in a way that reflects the peacemaking that God teaches in the Bible. And I am thankful that the community rose up to find truth together and clear Daniel’s name. The future of the orphan school is in question as this conflict revealed a great deal of unhealthiness in the leadership/staff/founder relationships. For now, our local church is choosing to focus on their primary role in the community, however I believe the orphan school will continue also. As for me, the very day before this all began (with a bang, I might add, as I was unexpectedly and publicly criticized in a school ending ceremony speech that focused on “the muzungu who is stealing our school”) I received clear leading from God that my focus for this next term is to be on Christ School and our family only. I thank God for clarity and lack of doubt on this issue and that I had told the staff this news the night before all this began. Please continue to pray for God’s provision for local orphans, for our church’s involvement in the community, and for our church to grow in health and strength. Pray for our weakness and doubt in the face of all this and our hearts that wonder if we do more harm than good.
We also appreciate your prayer for our other worker. While we were away he developed for the second time, some signs of mental unhealth. We found this distressing and unsettling and are concerned for him and his family. This effects us in lots of practical ways as well as we find ways to keep our home and family stable such as changing locks, new boundaries and dealing with ongoing situations that arise. As we have discussed this issue with community members we have also become aware of some areas of dishonesty in this person’s relationship with us. Please pray that our hearts will remain open to this person (especially mine, David is so much more gracious with him!) and we will remain willing to lay down our lives to see God’s kingdom grow in his heart and life. Pray for a willingness to walk through the valley of the shadow alongside this man, giving up comfort and security. Pray that we would have wisdom about the future of this position. Pray for us to know how best to help his family survive well while not giving money to him. Pray that he will stop going to witch doctors and that God will protect our home and family from his thoughts and plans. As we sat with him the other day for the first extended time since this began, my spirit was so disturbed by him. There are powerful evil forces at work in this place. This man believes that he has been “witched” by his family, which has led to his illness. Therefore he believes he must fight back using the power of witch doctors to restore his health. It is a well known fact or belief in the community that other people have the power to “witch” or even “curse”. Most people know/believe that people even die due to these effects. While it is hard to sort out the specifics, we know that Satan’s power here is significant. We ask you to intervene in this battle, with prayer, as we seek to see God’s kingdom come in hearts and lives here.
Meanwhile I find myself in flux over this term break and holiday season. Perhaps God is preparing my heart for Christ School ministry, but I find myself less and less likely to conduct my Bible studies. Mostly I spend time in personal conversation and relationships as well as with my children and other children in the community. I struggle with discouragement and doubt about my role here. I wonder if I have anything to offer. I wonder whether God is leading me away from the forum of children’s bible story times or whether I am just facing discouragement from Satan. It’s hard to know right now. Yet I must continue to trust that God’s plan is bigger than what I see or feel and that my responsibility is to follow his heart and the example of his life. I am focusing more on my family with Naomi home from school and with the onset of a time of traditions. Pray for me to find satisfaction in whatever God gives me to do. Pray that I would be a good steward with my time and talents and that I would be willing to not be productive. Pray that I would invest myself in lives in a way that is for God’s glory and these people’s good.