1st Post August 9, 2005

I'm creating this new blog because I haven't figured out how to fix what I broke on www.jeremyloveskatherine.com. Call me computer illiterate, if you like. While I'm in England August 7-19, I expect to interact/interview dozens of people who have been called by God to lay down their lives and allow Jesus to live among M. peoples. I intend to post stories I gather to this blog for others' enjoyment and prayer.

I'm asking you to pray for Katherine, my wife, and myself as we get set to leave tomorrow. Pray that we might leave our new home in order. Ask God to bless our marriage with more of His presence and wisdom. This summer has been stressful, as we've moved our home base twice since late May and have traveled on 3 (counting this one) major trips together (NYC, Malaysia, and now England).

Pray that God will prepare us for the work we have ahead of us--it may prove to be a week of revival, encouragement, and busyness. Pray that we will rest on God during the stress-filled times.

I have a recent story below from a Firestone worker, "Eric," for you to whet your appetite upon. Enjoy and intercede!

For quite a while, "Timothy" had liked a certain girl in the neighbouring village. As is the custom, he asked his parents to make a wedding proposal to the girl's parents. They did so, and it was warmly accepted. Plans got underway. Many in the village heard about it. Timothy was delighted. But when his parents went again to meet the girl's family (perhaps to fix a date for the engagement party), everything had changed. The father said that they no longer wanted anything to do with Timothy. Why?! Because they had found out that Timothy had become a Christian.

The father returned to the house, shocked, deeply shamed and very angry. Sure, he knew that Timothy was good friends with Stefan, and that he had been studying the former Holy Books a lot. But that he had become a Christian, he did not know. Timothy got a verbal bashing when the father reached home.

Timothy, of course, was also devastated. All his wedding plans ruined. His family now not talking to him... and perhaps worse to come. Who could have done this? Who knew for sure that he wanted to get baptised, except for Peter and David? No one, as far as he knew. What was their motive? Revenge, jealousy? What would happen now, when all the village found out... as they surely would. Would they or his family expel him from the village? Would they try to kill him?

As he related the story to me (this had happened 5 days before I arrived) he was fighting back the tears.

He had fled to a town 2-3 hours away for a few days, not knowing what to do... he was upset, confused, angry. His mind was racing so much that he could hardly think. He was sure that it was Peter (supposedly his new brother in Christ) who had betrayed him and ruined his life, for they had had a very public and serious argument a few months earlier. He kept voicing thoughts of revenge. Peter would not get away with this.

As I spent more time with Timothy over the next few days, I heard a few more stories that worried me a lot. 2 years ago, having heard that a young man in the village had struck his (T's) father in an argument, Timothy sought him out at once and tried to shoot him in the head at point blank range. Fortunately (and by God's grace) twice the gun didn't go off. As Timothy withdrew the gun, it fired and the bullet passed in and out of the man's skull, missing his brain completely. To cut a long story short, he survived, but never came back to the village. At the time Timothy's father praised him for doing the right thing in defending his honour and Timothy earned much respect in the village! Timothy also used to lead a youth organsation and is reknowned and respected for 'sorting out' the young boys who get caught doing the wrong thing.

Now less than a year has passed since Timothy came to faith in Jesus. He has not yet been baptised and has had precious little discipleship. Hence Satan is determined to destroy him, the burgeoning fellowship in the village, and perhaps our NGO's reputation.

Naturally I spent time listening to Timothy, encouraging him, sharing Scriptures with him and praying with him. (Romans 12:17-21.. leave room for God's wrath, the story of Joseph, Psalm 70 & 86... do use these to pray for him.) I told him that Satan would like nothing more than an act of revenge, causing more damage. I also told him that I really felt that the Lord allowed him to go through an intense time of testing, in which he remained alone, but faithful. He never denied his faith. Then the Lord brought me along to strengthen him.. in answer to all our prayers for my time up north.

After my 4-5 days there, it was time for me to head back south. I didn't want to leave, but I had to entrust Timothy to the Lord. Contact with him is very difficult, especially with the sensitive nature of the situation... so all we can do for now is pray... that he remains strong and faithful and resists all Satan's attempts to get him to take revenge on Peter... who may not even have been behind all this.

Various small encouraging stories I could share from my trip, but this I believe is the key purpose that the Lord had for me... and is certainly what needs our attention and prayers. Please join me in praying for Timothy, his family (dreams and visions) and for his enemies - whoever they are. Please pray too for Peter. Please pray that he can stay with his family, that they will not throw him out.. that he will remain in the village.. and that he will know from the Lord what to say to those who ask him... that he may respond with gentleness and respect and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Though a young man, he is like a baby brother, whose life and future are very much in danger. PLEASE pray in faith and expectancy for victory and the glory of Jesus in all of this. More than we can imagine.