It is such a blessing to have friends like you standing with us through this very difficult time in our lives. Life is full of the unexpected, and we are seeing that as never before. Reality is now setting in regarding Wycliffe moving to Orlando. The moving trucks are here every day loading the possessions of missionaries that have lived in our apartment complex. And as I write there are trucks at the headquarters building loading up all of the office equipment. The buildings are still here, but all the furnishings and people are quickly going away. It’s a lonely feeling, seeing friends and familiar settings disappearing. We sure never expected this to happen.

And then there is Cora’s health. We never expected the Lord to allow her to go through so much suffering. We are so grateful for the countless times the Lord gives us the little something we need to get through a very hard time, but sometimes we just don’t know if we’ll make it to the next “mercy drop”. But God knows what we need, and we are continuing to believe that He will cause all these things to work together for our good. We do so appreciate your prayers for us at this time in light of 2 Cor. 1:10,11. “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” Please pray for healing as well as relief from pain, constipation, allergies and fear.

The job situation for Jenny and me is another unexpected situation. Jenny’s last day of work is July 8th. Right now she is planning to take a couple of college classes and some certification tests for Microsoft office programs before looking for another job. But she needs one where she will be able to give me the help in need at various times of the day with caring for Cora if she is not healed yet. This is a tall order, but nothing is too difficult for God. I am working with the regional office to try to provide them with the computer support they need even though I cannot be there most of the time. Please pray for resolution for our job situations.

So right now we’re feeling lonesome, confused, tired and somewhat scared. We certainly never expected to be in a place like this, but that is life! At these times we know that Jesus said “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” and “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” But sometimes it just doesn’t seem that way. I guess that’s why the Psalms mean so much to us right now. David was a man after God’s own heart who is known for his worship of God. But he didn’t just say “the right thing” all the time – he was honest with God. In the Psalms he said things like “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (10:1) and “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemies triumph over me?” (13:1,2) and “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? Oh my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent.” (22:1,2) and there are many more examples.

It is comforting to know that Paul also felt the same way we (especially Cora) are feeling right now. In 2 Cor. 1:8b,9 he wrote, “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts, we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” So we ask you to let this be your prayer for us at this time. Pray that we can quickly learn to rely only on God and then see His great deliverance.

Thank you for holding us up to the Lord. We know that God EXPECTED all this to happen to us! So we covet your prayers that will enable us to live out Psalm 27:13,14. “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” We love you and pray that the Lord will richly bless you.