May 11, 2008
God is gracious! I thank God that not only he has been preparing me for this trip, but also my family and friends. God is trustworthy with all our relationships. In light of eternity, we are not enduring true hardship, only temporary separation from family and friends and having to orient our lives to new ways. True hardship is eternally knowing that we failed to fulfill our purpose for life; we simply fail to please God.
I am in need of your prayers to thrive in Ghana (emotionally, mentally, and physically) and to strengthen me to rest in the promises of God to do all things pleasing to him. With this in mind, please pray for:
1. Thank God for his enduring long-suffering and unhindered purposes for my life and everyone who has placed their trust in him through his Son Jesus Christ.
2. The body of believers that God has placed me in: Seabreeze Church and those brothers and sisters that God has and is using to play an instrumental role in this mission.
3. The staff and leadership of Center of Good News: unity; spiritual and physical safety; financial blessings; and love that overflows from confident and sincere hearts.
4. The people of Ghana, that their hearts are open to God; that they would hunger and thirst for a renewed relationship with him.
5. God’s people in the USA would reflect on their blessed life and act like we don’t own what God has given us. Pray that we see the orphaned, oppressed and different races as our brother and sister, and are generous towards them and not be ashamed of their nakedness.
6. The Wycliffe Discovery Team led by John Ramsey (Ghanaians and Westerners) that I will be partnering with the first two weeks in Ghana: unity; open to learning a new culture on its terms; and for spreading the Gospel.
7. In addition to the above, my specific needs:
a. Pray for my family that they would be comforted and at peace no matter the outcome of this trip.
b. God would refine my heart so my every inclination would be to glorify Jesus; that feelings of being “special” would diminish.
c. God would grant me great spiritual wisdom and understanding, so I can discern times and circumstances; that I would not judge externally or superficially.
d. God would clearly confirm my calling including through my accountability partners, pastor, and by giving me the persistence to serve in Ghana with joy; that I don’t follow after unhealthy (realized or unrealized) motives or what is easy.
Thank You in advance for your Prayers! Alone we can do little and only temporarily, but with God, joined with the prayers of brothers and sisters, I know for a fact that mountains can be moved; even the hardest heart!
Joe