|
|
A Hopeful Delay
After a good and busy Home Ministry Assignment, it was nice to get back home to Quito. The trip back wasn’t exactly a smooth one. I wasn’t permitted to fly with Duane and the girls due to a mix-up by the airlines regarding Ecuadorian immigration laws. We were initially shocked by the situation and then devastated when we realized that we’d have to fly separately if Rachel was to start school on time. The good-bye at the airport was especially hard. |
|
|
For those of you who knew about the situation and prayed, thank you! The girls traveled well with their dad. Plus I was able to get the "required" paperwork fairly easily and was reunited with the rest of the family two days later. We know it was prayer that made a difficult situation bearable. Thank you!
Living overseas can be frustrating as we regularly face situations like the mix-up in immigration law. It’s easy to let trials get to you, to grow hard and lose hope in those types of situations. I must admit that at first I didn’t handle the paperwork fiasco very well. I didn’t have much hope. But through the Scripture, the Lord reminded me that it’s because of what Christ has done in our lives that we can have hope even in those tough situations we may not understand. Romans 5:3-5 (NIV) says, "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." It was the "and hope does not disappoint us" part that got to me. As Duane and I begin another term of missionary service, please pray that the Lord will help us have hope in the challenges that come our way. |
|
|
Praise Items: Praise for a good Home Ministry Assignment in the U.S. this summer. We are thankful for safety during our travels and for great times with friends and family. Praise God for His continual provision of funds that allow us to serve Him in Ecuador. Praise that the Loreto Hydro-electric project was completed this summer. Prayer Items: Pray for HCJB’s Annual Members’ Meetings which are scheduled for Sept. 16-22 in Quito. It's a time for business meetings, as well as a time for spiritual renewal. Cheri is "in training" to take over the responsibility of coordinating the annual meetings in 2003. Pray for Cheri’s women’s cell group Bible study that meets on Tuesday afternoons. |
Duane will be teaching his photography class at the Christian Center of Communications this fall instead of in the spring. Pray for both Duane and his students. Pray for Rachel as she’s in first grade at Alliance Academy. Pray for her teachers and that she’ll have a good, productive year at school. Pray for the people of Ecuador as they begin the primary elections for president, congressmen, local governors and officials. Pray for wisdom and discernment as they choose from 11 candidates for president. Pray for more long-term missionaries to come work at HCJB. Currently needed are administrators, information services personnel, administrative assistants, accountants, doctors, nurses and engineers. |
ON LOCATION The Birkeys’ prayer letter
Current Address:
Home Phone Number:
Email addresses:
World Wide Web Sites: |
|
|
