God provided eight churches where we could present our ministry at in November. We also had the opportunity to stop in at three other churches as we traveled to scheduled meetings. After receiving a call earlier this week from a pastor at a church we presented at in September, our support level was increased to 16%!
Often when we perceive that circumstances have turned negative, the problem is our perception. God knows why we’ve had meetings postponed and why other minor inconveniences come across our path. It strengthens your faith when God lets you in on the reason He works like this! Every time there has been a change of schedule over the past three months, we can point to a specific reason why God (in His providence) has stepped in and changed OUR plans. Recognizing God’s providence causes you to become grateful when you could easily become disgruntled.
A quick prayer request: I had the opportunity to witness to Jean in Iowa two weeks ago. She has been through the loss of family recently and recognizes her need for Christ. I believe her reservation is being able to trust in God who she thinks has wrongfully taken her family. Please pray for her salvation as you read this, and ask God to touch her heart and enable her to see through her bitterness.
When we began planning to raise our support, we were targeting Spring 2022 for departure to New Zealand. That would give us 19 months. With our current rate of support, God is on track to fulfil that goal. Pastor Gomez once said “I’d rather do something hard and fail, than easy and be successful.” Until God stops opening doors to get us to New Zealand in that time frame, why slow down? Please continue to pray for open doors to present our ministry and for more churches to partner with us to reach the people of New Zealand.
God Bless,
Josh & Alyse Szwarga