NOTE: Below is an email we sent out today. Re-posting it here so more of you can be lifting this up in prayer. God is still working out the details…we are still listening in a position of obedience! If you didn’t receive this by email and are one of our supporters, it simply is because we don’t have your email. If you wish to be added to our email list, please comment below including your email address!
Dear Family and Friends
,Our family is faced with a decision. It is bigger than we are, but not bigger than the Lord. It is overwhelming for us, but fits perfectly into the hands of the Father. We are asking for your prayers, your blessing, and your ongoing support.
Recently, we sent out an update to you all regarding the delay in our visa process to attend training in Spain. At that time we were trusting that the Lord had a reason for that delay in our plans. We are realizing that the reason for that delay was in order for HIS plan to unfold perfectly!
Last Thursday, we were saddened by the news that the pastor of the Nsoko community in Swaziland, Africa had decided to leave. This community is where Jen visited in 2009. It is a community full of orphans and widows; ravaged by HIV/AIDS; drenched in poverty. Yet, there is a great hope and joy found there…the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor Gift (the African pastor who has served there for 3 years but is leaving at this time) was so vital to this community. He was their pastor, their friend, their champion, their shepherd! Now he is leaving. A ministry that was already stretched to its limits, will now have a gaping hole left by this pastor’s abrupt departure.
We feel that God is making His way clear to us. We are to change our plans, re-arrange our timeline and go to Swaziland now. Our plan always included an extended visit to serve in Swaziland, following our time of training and discernment in Spain. What we trust the Lord is revealing to us now is: “Trust in My plan…I have given you what you need to go to Swaziland…GO!”
We are praying about this together as a family. We have been seeking wisdom of people in our circle of influence whom we trust and love. We have been pouring over God’s Word. The message seems to remain: GO!
There are many more details forthcoming, but we felt it necessary to keep you all informed as much as possible since you have sacrificed so much to help in our sending! We hope and trust that you will still support us in this. In all honesty, without each of you behind us, we would not be able to be obedient to this call. God’s provision, through each one of you, is a huge piece of the puzzle that confirms He is speaking through this change in events. He continues to be impressing upon us that He alone is directing our steps and this is His vision…not ours!
We will continue to communicate with you as the details emerge in the coming days. If you have questions or comments please feel free to call us (616-834-3846 Jen’s cell OR 616-834-3845 Eric’s cell) or send us email and we will respond ASAP. If you feel that you desire to sit down with us personally, we would love to make that happen!
Our most important request to you is to please cover us in your prayers! We realize that we are entering into something that without the strength, hope, love and power of Jesus Christ we will most certainly fail!
We love each of you…we are humbled and honored to call you our community of faith and brothers and sisters forever in CHRIST!
**Below are just a few pictures from my trip to Nsoko,Swaziland in 2009.
A Swazi homestead… home visits were one of the best ways to meet these beautiful people where they were and bring them the love of Christ…
The grandmas (‘go-gos’) are the heroes of this place! They cook and take care of the children, even though many, many of these ladies are sick and/or have had to bury their own children…
…everyday the kids come, needing to be fed…physically AND spiritually…
WOW! I got goosebumps reading this! What an amazing and exciting, albeit a little scary, opportunity for you as a family! Please know that we will continue to pray for all of you as you seek to follow God’s plan for your lives.
Holly Reed and Family
How awesome that God has revealed his perfect plan. Isn’t it interesting that when God calls you to do his work, even if it is frightening, we feel a sense of peace and purpose. May God be close to you in the exciting and stressful days to come.
Please add me to your mailing list!
Praying for God’s blessings on you! This is exciting!
Shawn
You know we are behind you in this. Our love and prayers are with you. Dad & Mom
You have been and will continue to be in our Prayers each and every day! God will provide and prepare the Way!