"Cora, you look so good! If I didn't know better, I'd think you were faking." I've actually had people say that to me. Sometimes I want to say "Try living in my body for five minutes," but instead I just smile and make small talk. But inside, my imprisoned spirit groans for release. People may see me walking one minute but aren't there three or four minutes later when it all gives way. They can't see my muscles working hard when they are supposed to be resting leaving them useless when I need them. They can't see pressure sores that keep me from sitting, and infections that won't heal. They don't know what it's like not to be able to tolerate most clothes and yet have skin that looks normal. They can't see my heart going much too fast or my circulation collapse. They are not there when sometimes I can't digest even limited foods or move freely because my body has lost its flexibility. Outwardly it all looks so good and God infuses me with hope and joy which I share openly. But they are not there when shattered by pain and feeling unable to go on, I commune with God to draw the life and strength that I believe has actually kept me physically alive.

I didn't write this to make you feel sorry for me. There are so many individuals physically suffering in the body of Christ and many don't have the hope and the awareness of God's goodness or the deliverance from fear that I have experienced these last years. How my heart cries out for them as does the the Spirit of God Himself. He longs to heal sick bodies and destroy the works of the evil one in our midst.

But perhaps even more, the Spirit of Christ cries for the release of His own Body where He is imprisoned and often quenched. Just like my body, the Body of Christ looks good on the surface, but underneath lie willful parts working hard apart from the Head and then too weary to do His work, neglected parts withered by lack of use, infected parts full of impurity, sensitive parts that cannot tolerate being clothed with Christ, weak parts needing spiritual food but being devoured by the enemy while proud independent parts feed only themselves and don't even realize that when one part suffers we all are affected for we really are one! If angels were to say "Lord, look at your Body the Church doesn't it look good?" Jesus might groan and say "Try living in My Body for five minutes."

I've said all this to illustrate how important we are to each other and to Him. The fullness of Christ dwells in His Body corporately in a way He cannot in individuals. That is why He led me to go back to Church even though it is so hard. I need the Body and they need me. But God must strip away our look good surface so that deep inner wounds can be healed, impurities cleansed and we can come together as one to the Light. "For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God." (I Peter 4:17) "But when we are judged we are disciplined by the Lord in order that we may not be condemned along with the world" (I Cor. 11:32). It is so important that we realize this and cooperate with the Spirit of God. Only He can open our eyes to see and care about the condition of Christ's Body instead of seeking just our own spiritual comfort and food. God wants to cleanse us of divided hearts and interests so that we can share His Heart and move forward as one with Him and effectively bring in His harvest.

We wanted to share these insights with you that you be strengthened with us in the purposes of God. We often mistake the Refiner's fire for the work of the enemy. Then it becomes easy to fail to endure hardness because we misunderstand it. This letter is born out of our own intense struggle to grow in circumstances that often tempt us to be offended. How we must encourage and exhort each other all the more as we see the Day of the Lord approaching.

And so we pray that God will impart to us all the revelation of His Heart toward His Church and pour upon us the Spirit of repentance and power in prayer that we might all be made one vessel fit to hold His Glory in these days of trouble. We appreciate so much your prayers for us which enable us to continue serving the Lord and we remember you also in prayer and with much thanksgiving and love to God for all that you mean to us.