The past 2 months have been filled to the brim with good ole fashioned enemy warfare. And we have been on the receiving end. However, we have not been on the caving in end or the back down end or the giving up end. As a matter of fact, it has made us dig our heals in even more, KNOW that our calling is firm and we have watched the Lord actually fight the battles for us. This doesn't mean that we don't feel the heat of the fire, or get a bit singed, but we are GOOD, solid in the Word and wrapped in His arms (clinging) but wrapped!
The Good God stuff first; ministry is going awesome. Working with Living Hope has been amazing and we are seeing that what Shelby is doing in Ocean View is really going to touch lives. We have also started a Wed evening Bible study, we have a few families coming and we are going thru the book of Revelations. We are super excited to see what God has on the horizons with ministry and thankful that we are where we are supposed to be.
Now just some of the ugly; we have been gossiped about... ALOT! Crazy what has gotten back to us and what people think we have said, and what is being said about us, if only people would just talk to us instead of others. One of those simple ways to quench gossip stop talking to others and stop listening when others talk. We aren't listening anymore! But it made our hearts sad to be called names and slandered. Gossip hurts, and I don't like it when my kids are hurt by it. Also, just lots of little niggly attacks that just can come and ruin a day.
Now the big new attack has been all financial. We got onto our bank account last week and $1300 in bank charges had all gone thru even though we hadn't used our cards or spent money. It went negative because it's the end of the month and we had $45 in our account. Now, with fees it is about $3500 negative. Everything has been contested and we will hear from the bank hopefully by Tue/Wed. The bad thing is we can't have any money deposited in our negative account or it will be eaten by the negative fees, so all of our donations are being held, safely, right now! But, we have NO money, we cant work here so we cant make any money and it's a bit scary being this far away from home, cant walk into our bank to fix the problem and really can do nothing in and of ourselves to fix the problem.
BUT GOD! He has first taken our anxiety, which is no little feet. He has provided food for us, he has met our every need and I have no reason to believe He wont keep meeting our needs as long as this carries out. He is good, He has ministered to us thru the body of Christ and it has been a beautiful body, bringing food and whatever we need over to the house. People haven't even asked they have just shown up. It's been humbling to be on the receiving end of the giving, but it's been really inspiring to see the Body of Christ BE the Body of Christ... Way to go guys, you ROCK!
Our prayer right now is that the bank situation will be fixed and that we can deposit the donations into our account so that we can pay rent and grocery shop :) But if for some reason that the bank doesn't clear it up, that God will help us work out whatever situation we find ourselves is.
Satan uses the same tactics almost always, He steals, your time ( worrying about gossip, trying to fix a bank account in the US from SA), He steals your stuff ($3500 gone, friends). These aren't new things that He's just come up with, we should always be ready for it. Thank God He is always ready and when we call He's there!
Deut 30:20 that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers
We have the "cling" part down right now!
John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and tthat your joy may be full.
It is so cool that no matter what goes on in our life we still can have joy, because it comes from Christ.
Romans 8: 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
We haven't needed to fear because we have a "Father" who loves us and has adopted us. He is big enough to carry all of our burdens.
So many other promises God has given us during this slight affliction, we are doing awesome in it! We are joyful in Him and resting. He is our Father and we have watched Him provide for our every need thru His body. We are overwhelmed, in a time where we could have felt very alone and far away, with great gratitude for His closeness and the beautiful people that have stood along side of us.
"I Won't Back Down" Johnny Cash
Well I won't back down, no I won't back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down
Gonna stand my ground, won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down
Gonna stand my ground and I won't back down
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
Hey I will stand my ground and I won't back down
Well I know what's right, I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin' me around
But I stand my ground and I won't back down
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
Hey I will stand my ground and I won't back down
No I won't back down.
Blessings friends and keep praying there is a war going on out there,
Andrea
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