We are now drawing near the end of our season of reporting to churches, and in September we will exclusively be spending time with our home church family until we fly out on Monday, September 24. As we ministered on the road, the Lord often opened the door for us to share our testimony of healing with other believers. While it could be painful to share our testimony, it gave us deep joy to see many people’s eyes opened to the truth of Psalm 73:25–26 where the psalmist says, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” We would rather glory in our weaknesses that Christ’s power may rest upon us for the Glory of God. It was not uncommon for someone to tell us that because of us being vulnerable and giving testimony of God’s healing work through the power of Biblical counsel that they too had the hope of restoration. Our goal was never to wallow or pluck at heartstrings but to point people to the One that has the power to raise the dead and has conquered sin and death. One particular service, after walking through the truth of God alone being our portion and source of real joy, we rejoiced to see a young lady turn to Christ for salvation!
With our departure to the Czech Republic just 47 days away (not that anyone is counting) we have been making all the necessary arrangements for our international move. This is a bitter-sweet time of goodbyes, yet we know we are in the Lord’s will and our hope is not in the familiarity of the United States, but in the promise of heaven. My parents are going to spend the first two weeks with us in the Czech Republic to assist with watching our kids while Abby and I take care of many transitional needs including finding a flat (apartment) to rent in the city of Pilsen. My mom and dad graciously extended their help when they thought of our little boys dealing with jet-lag, seeing so many new sights, and hearing everyone speak what will sound like gibberish to them. Vincent voiced to us last week that he is scared about not having friends since he can’t speak the Czech language. We are going to do everything possible to immerse ourselves in the culture and language, and covet your prayers to help us learn Czech. We would also ask prayer for us to quickly find a suitable flat to rent that will be within our budget. Earlier in the year, one of our faithful partnering churches gave us a special love offering to help us furnish our new place in the Czech Republic. We look forward to putting that gracious gift to good use.
Our church is preparing for our sending out service in September, and we feel privileged to be a part of God’s plan for taking His Gospel to the nations. I really cannot describe the joy it gives me to write this update. David said it well, “In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Indeed, the joy of God’s glory and salvation are worth it all!
Gospel2Czechia 