Last month we shared that God is a God of transformation. Ever since responding

to God's call to walk on the water, along with increased testing, there has been

a new movement of His spirit carrying us like a stream in a fresh release of

prayer and praise and increased yearning after God's kingdom purposes in our

lives. This time has been full of surprises as we have begun to see some

answers to years of prayer and also had God burst in on the course of our lives

in ways we don't yet understand. We want to share this as an encouragement as

well as information to guide you into meaningful prayer for us at this time.

Praise God with us for the sudden salvation of our nephew Mike and his girl

friend Cindy. God actually used the workings of the enemy to bring them quickly

into His kingdom. We had the joy of seeing them a week later, and although

there are struggles to be overcome, the evidence of God's salvation was joyfully

obvious. Please remember them in your prayers.

Jim had just shared with his department how suddenly God can change things when

a week later the course of our own lives changed in a way we never dreamed of.

The last two years we have been in much prayer about Jim's position here. He

has faced enormous stresses over a long period of time with no break and had

also fallen behind in the technical aspect of computing. Every time he tried to

"break out" during periods of discouragement, God definitely said, "No" and

enabled him to continue on assured of being in God's will. Well, last week,

Bernie May, Wycliffe Director, called Jim in and informed him that he felt God

wanted Jim to have a furlough or sabbatical-type experience. God has made this

possible through the provision of a skilled manager who is willing to take over

Jim's responsibilities for a 9-month period, September 1989 through June 1990.

Well -- we were in shock for several days. Although we had no doubt this was

God's leading, the suddenness of it made us feel like we were floundering. But

in the last few days, God has been clarifying to Jim His desire for this time

and has given him the following priorities:

1 - Spiritual refreshing and renewal

2 - Better understanding of the field work of Wycliffe

3 - Management training

4 - Technical training

Wycliffe has agreed to send Jim back to school and he is considering a

combination of Bible school and upgrading his management skills. Wycliffe also

intends to send him to a field for a short period so his vision can grow through

a first-hand look at the work overseas. Also, he will re-enter the technical

realm through self-training courses and spend some time at home in prayer with

me. We know with my healing God has promised a new anointing on our lives and

we believe this is a preparatory time.

But we don't want to try to decide what God is doing or follow plans of our own

making. We truly desire to see God close doors that no man can open and open

doors that no man can close. We want His will and ask you to pray that as time

goes on we will clearly know what that perfect will is and will follow it in

complete submission and obedience for the glory of God and for His purpose.

Jim is struggling with mixed feelings as he prepares to vacate his position. A

lot of his life has been poured out there and it isn't easy to just let it go

even when you know God is in it, so please pray for him in the transition and

also for the department as they face these changes. The last two years Jim has

had an increasing one-on-one discipling type ministry with computer salesmen as

well as with men in his department. It is our desire that this will continue

and perhaps even grow if the Lord so leads, and so again we ask for your prayers

and thank God that we have faithful partners who love us and remember us before

the throne. We appreciate and love you so much.

Continue to remember me also as I press on in the area of healing and the

ministry of prayer God has given me. I have some precious things I was going to

share about prayer but we needed to let you know about these things which are

happening right now. Perhaps I will get to share next month. It is good to

flow with God even when we don't know where He is leading and we pray that you,

too, will find yourself drawn more and more into the flow of God's spirit, and

that wherever He leads you will follow as we all labor together in Christ for

the good of His kingdom. God bless you.