Greetings Church Family,
Just a quick quote of inspiration to duty and then we will have our report;
Sound an alarm throughout the length and breadth of the earth. Tell the people that the day of the Lord is near and hasteth greatly. Let none be left unwarned. We might have been in the place of the poor souls that are in error. We might have been placed among barbarians. According to the truth we have received above others, we are debtors to impart the same to them. – {6T 22.2}
We have no time to lose. The end is near. The passage from place to place to spread the truth will soon be hedged with dangers on the right hand and on the left. Everything will be placed to obstruct the way of the Lord’s messengers, so that they will not be able to do that which it is possible for them to do now. We must look our work fairly in the face and advance as fast as possible in aggressive warfare. From the light given me of God I know that the powers of darkness are working with intense energy from beneath, and with stealthy tread Satan is advancing to take those who are now asleep, as a wolf taking his prey. We have warnings now which we may give, a work now which we may do; but soon it will be more difficult than we can imagine. God help us to keep in the channel of light, to work with our eyes fastened on Jesus our Leader, and patiently, perseveringly press on to gain the victory. – {6T 22.3}
Hello friends and Church Family,
This morning I have been listening to artillery fire in the far distance praying it’s not in one of our villages, reminding me again of how precious life is and how little time we may have to reach souls desiring truth
These past 6 months have been more trying than all 7+ years we have been stationed here but we praise God that HE has entrusted all of us to work on the front lines while time has still permitted this. Our God is amazing to say the least.
This past month has given us plenty of disappointments but has also given us clearly new hope to press on
Presently our bible workers funds have declined and we are crippled and short handed creating a much more difficult task of shepherding all the villages and yet we are asking God again to give us more new territory, to enlarge the camp. Please join us in prayer as we seek for more of the Lords inheritance in these mountains
In our village of Kagahuman we were just given notice from the Supreme Chieftain that they would not renew our permit to work there after Dec. 31. There reason is that too many are not only listening but are now practicing the faith we are teaching, creating problems over the sacrifice of unclean animals as well as community clean up done on Sabbath days.
Those following God are now being punished and will have to work on their normal work days to make up for not working on the holy sabbath which makes their making a living even more difficult considering they eat hand to mouth and all this because they want to honor their True Creator. They ask if they could do this work on Sun day but it was refused them
We will continue praying for intervention to continue the work there but also be prepared to look at possible options for these new believers who already are becoming oppressed by their own lifelong tribe. Standing for truth has never been popular has it.
In our daily prayers one possible thought has come to us to move several of them here at the mission post to train them so they could return later in their village to be stronger leaders but it might also be that they may never be allowed to return back to their homes so this village now needs even MORE of your PRAYERS
The head Elder of one of our older churches established by the ministry is desiring to come here to the post for more knowledge. It appears many young people in the church there have disappeared into the mountains to join or rejoin the communist rebels. He feels his small knowledge is not enough to keep the church solid and he worries the church will fall. Would any of you be willing to help support him this year for $50-60 per month for his food and needs to come to the post for more bible knowledge? We will also do our best to place missionaries back there as many Sabbaths as we are able and I think it would be possible for the Elder to return a couple Sabbaths each month. MORE PRAYER!
My Mac computer has finally died this past month along with all my editing programs and 5 years worth of sermons and research. I’m hoping to retrieve as much, if any of it when we come back to the States this year so for now I’m limited to my phone.
We have been sheltered here from the world news and even what might be happening in the States but I can tell you that things are heating up against sabbath keepers here. The govt. leaders here have work bees every sabbath where it is required by law to clean up the village you are part of. Because we have favor with the leaders as of now, they are allowing us to work on Sunday but they have been frank with us that in the near future we will face fines and will not be able to get police and area Clarence that is necessary in order to get a license, buy land, get a voters ID etc. that means we could be considered an enemy of the Govt. soon
Our missionaries children are about ready to quit the public school below as the harassment on them worsens by both students and teachers, and teachers are requesting them to do mandatory camping and work bees on sabbath.
What’s going on in America? There must be more going on than we know of because the Beast appears to be gaining strength and the momentum of a freight train in a hurry with no brakes to be found.
Do you hear the rumbling of the Romans brothers and sisters, do you hear it????
More good news…
We have been blessed by European supporters to head up another school project and we are searching and praying for the right teacher for that. One of these supporters happens to be a Lutheran professor and we are praising God that HE still has his children in a variety of places even out of our denomination.
Others helping from Europe have also been a tremendous blessing for many of the projects over the years and I too often forget to say, ” Thank you.”
Four or more boxes have also arrived this past month from Australia with medical supplies, baby clothes, sabbath school supplies, books and hand sown clothing and hats.
We let our missionaries give these out to the tribal converts and neighbors in desperate need which is so awesome for them to be able to give, even if they are still poor financially doing this work. It really helps lift the moral here. Thank you Church Family.
Lastly. Michelle and I and Micaiah will be coming back to the States at the end of Feb. and will remain there until the end of April. We will need to be putting together a sharing schedule soon so please contact me if this is an option in your area. Already we have invitations from CA all the way to Florida.
It won’t be the same for us traveling without our girls and singing together as a family but the funds for International travel were just not enough this time. We also won’t be stationary with a place to stay this time so we will be living in the ministry van taking no thought for tomorrow Luke 12:22.
As we part today I would just like to leave you with this last quote from inspiration:
We have before us a great work, the closing work of giving God’s last warning message to a sinful world. But what have we done to give this message? Look, I beg of you, at the many, many places that have never yet been even entered. Look at our workers treading over and over the same ground, while around them is a neglected world, lying in wickedness and corruption—a world as yet unwarned. To me this is an awful picture. What appalling indifference we manifest to the needs of a perishing world! – {7T 103.4}
May each one of you be blessed and don’t forget to….
“GoBeDo!”
Love
Mike & Michelle and the GoBeDo Team