May 4, 2006
Dear Faith Alive supporters, friends, & family,
Thank you so much for all of your prayers, support, encouragement, & emails. Your participation with me in the work God is doing through Faith Alive is a precious gift to me & a blessing to the Lord.
I’m gradually settling into the rhythm & flow of life here in Jos. It is such a blessing to come and work each day alongside fellow Christ-followers: singing, praying, learning, growing, and relying on the Lord together as we strive each day to share God’s love with all who come in search of healing & help. Although we are confronted by much suffering and struggle daily, as Psalms 68:3 says, "When the righteous see God in action they’ll laugh and sing for joy" (MSG). God is clearly in action here at Faith Alive and joy abounds as Christ overcomes suffering, & strengthens us for the struggle. God is indeed a very good and loving God!
Please continue to pray for God’s continuing provision and protection for those who labor on your behalf here at Faith Alive. The spiritual battle is intense at times. Last night there was another fire, this time in the new building. Fortunately it did very little damage. The rainy season has arrived and during our normal late afternoon down-pour, the electrical power went out, as usual, and the generator came on. However, when NEPA returned electricity to our area in the evening, there was a power surge that caused a light bulb to explode and a fire was ignited. The laborers who have been sleeping in the building at night in order to be able to work longer days were in an adjacent part of the building and were able to eventually put the fire out. A door was damaged and all of the walls & ceiling of that room (which had just recently been prepared with primer & was waiting on the last coat of paint) were blackened with soot. Although this may seem initially discouraging, there are many examples of God’s sovereignty, provision, and protection in the midst of the battle. The laborers would not have been sleeping in the building two weeks ago, & the fire could have been immense. After the first fire in April that destroyed most of the old clinic building, a problem with the water supply was rectified & water was readily available this time. No one was hurt while fighting the fire with very primitive methods (buckets of water). The painters have already begun to repair the damage. The testimony of God’s protection has been shared with many non-believers today. And there is continued rejoicing. I hope that you realize that your prayers are an important part of the victory that God is bringing about here at Faith Alive, and of the healing of broken bodies, restoration of grieving families, and the many blessings that will be unleashed in the future in the lives of those brought into the Kingdom. Thank you for your faithfulness and devotion.
May you also see God in action and experience His abundant joy and amazing grace.
Your sister in Christ, Biana
Posted by Valerie at May 6, 2006 05:24 AM