We’ve been receiving messages, emails, and texts asking if we are safe. Yes, we are fine here in GM, but our hearts are very heavy for Ukraine. Many of our friends here have family and friends there–it’s a difficult time as they wait for news.

What is happening in Ukraine is very real to the people here, because the same playbook was used in this place in 2008. If you aren’t aware, 20% of GM is currently occupied by the same aggressor, and there are border incidents almost every week here.

Please join us in praying for Peace in Ukraine, for the church there, for the people of that place, and for the leaders of the world.

I’m not a football fan, but my husband is. Today, he shared a clip of an interview from this year’s Super Bowl coverage, and I LOVED something that MVP Coopr Kupp said. After sharing with the press that God had revealed to him in 2019 that his team would win, and that he would be named MVP he said, “And I shared that with my wife because I couldn’t tell anybody else obviously, but from the moment this postseason started there was a belief, every game it was written already, I just had to play free knowing I got to play from victory not for victory.”

Whether you’re a Kupp fan or not, let that resonate. In the kingdom of God, victory is a settled matter. We are free to join God’s work in the world with the full confidence that Jesus wins. What if we entered our days, our opportunities from that place of victory knowing that our “labor is not in vain”?

⁵⁵ “O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15: 55-58

One night, in four different rooms, we each mentally blamed ONE cat for the shaking and noises we were hearing. (Simba jumping on the beds and the couch and playing in the wardrobes & rattling the doors.) After several seconds, we all came to the same conclusion…it wasn’t the cat. 🙂 Small, barely there earthquakes are common in GM, but this one was bigger and longer lasting than any we’ve experienced in the past. There were no injuries or damage reported in our city, but it did send some people out of their high-rise apartment buildings and into the streets looking for safety. Damage was reported near the epicenter–please be in prayer for those affected.

Please join us in praying Psalm 24:7-10 this year.

The Truth of the Bible has consistently been covered up by tradition and the lie that only some can understand God’s word. One student recently shared that he believes that 80-90% of those who call themselves Christians in GM are not. His rationale: “How can they be Christians if they don’t even know what the Bible says? They don’t know what they believe.”

Please join us in praying that the leaders of the national religion will have their eyes opened, that they will proclaim the truth of God’s word, and that they will invite those in their churches to read and understand it for themselves.

Our youngest daughter recently took this photo. She said that sometimes, when she can’t sleep, she likes to stare at the moon from her bedroom window. I loved hearing about her love for the moon, for the night sky–for God’s creation. God made them, and said that they were good. I loved hearing that she takes time to stop and enjoy His work–to pause and be in awe. God often teaches us through our kids, and I needed to be reminded to stop…to stare…to worship.

We’d like to share a couple of answers to prayer!

You may remember that during our last home assignment, we asked for you to pray for the national religion which is built on truth. Specifically, we asked you to pray for two priests who would stand together and proclaim the truth of the Bible. We’ve heard encouraging stories since our return of things turning in that direction. This past week, we learned that a major breakthrough has occurred. We can’t share the details, but please continue to ask God for revelation for these men, for boldness, and for an incredible outpouring of the Holy Spirit in this place.

During that same HA, we asked you to pray for E and his family. We’ve continued to update you on their journey of salvation and discipleship. Over the past weeks, their family started asking God for provision for E’s wife to complete the next step in her vocational training. This would require a large amount of money that they don’t have. God began providing very quickly through a member of one of our partnering churches. This man had no idea of this need, but he felt compelled to give a gift. When we were contacted, E and his family immediately came to mind. They are so encouraged at how God provides through the larger body of Christ, and they are confident that the rest of their needs for this training will come in God’s perfect timing.