Saturday, August 19

Satan is hitting hard--PRAYER SOS!

Satan is hitting us hard these days. Just when momentum starts moving things forward, the enemy steps in. Where we think ground was gained, we end up taking two giant steps backwards.

The past few days have seen much suffering and hardship for the servant leaders we work with in the house churches. Discouragement is at an all time high amongst our people. The questions arise in all our minds, "is it worth it?"

On Thursday I travelled a couple of hours through thick falling volcano ash to be with church leaders Johnny and Maria Victoria who lost her dad to disease. Not only do they have the grief for their lost loved one, but the church that meets in their house is struggling. They are confused and discouraged wondering where God is in all of these things. They are all alone in a small town with no other support or encouragement. The devastation from the volcano is all around them and thousands are homeless with their worldly good destroyed.

As Pedro was just beginning to get a new church plant started in his home this past week due to the help of the Texas volunteer team that was here, thieves broke in and stole all the tools of his trade. He is a car mechanic and now has no tools with which to work. Last week Pedro went out and bought on credit his first major tool replacement to be able to get back into business. On Monday night thieves broke in a second time and lifted the new machine through the roof. When the thieves were discovered they threw the newly purchased machine down to the ground completely destroying it before running off into the night. Now, not only does Pedro have a large debt to pay, he has no tools to help him work.

Miguel, another young man who worked with the Texans, and just beginning a church plant was driving a company car at work and to avoid hitting a woman on the street swerved and instead ran the car into a post. The damage was $3000 which the owners said he must pay them immediately or be fired. He was fired.

Manuel, one of our main church planters is having to stand guard 24/7 in that his property is being invaded by squatters who are trying to possess his legally obtained properties. Manuel's dream is to use this property for badly needed social ministries amongst the poorest of the poor (medical clinic, lab, eye clinic, training center, trade school, etc.) Through massive corruption of local power brokers, he is having to stand all alone against hundreds of people who have already paid money to the brokers for Manuel's land. There is no police protection or legal recourse. The only way is to stand out front and turn people away. He is trying to maintain a Christian testimony but the corruption is so rampant. It looks like he will lose all his hard worked for land and dreams to unscrupulous greedy people.

There are many, many more stories of those we work with on a daily basis going through very difficult trials these days. I won't mention our own set of trials and burdens but suffice it to say, we too are being tested!

Would you be so kind as to pause a moment and pray for all these and the others whom space does not permit to write up their stories? This is a very real side of missions that often isn't mentioned--the trials and tribulations that go hand-in-hand where God is at work to build His Kingdom.

The enemy is putting up a terrific battle against the saints of God. But we already know who has won the victory, and in Him we put our trust and confidence for the ultimate victory and Glory of God.

Thanks for praying.

18 comments:

Bart Barber said...

I have paused to pray for these concerns.

Would you be willing to return the favor by praying for our friends in the Lord who are residents of a certain large Caribbean island anticipating imminent change in their government? These are difficult days for them, we hear.

J. Guy Muse said...

You bet, Bart. I can suspect which Caribbean island you are referring to, and indeed we ALL need to be praying for this situation as it unfolds.

TKB said...

Praying over these items now.

Darrell said...

It is a privilege to pray for Johnny and Maria Victoria, Pedro, Miguel, Manuel, and you Guy. Thanks for the opportunity. May these trials allowed be the King only serve to strengthen the Kingdom.

Anonymous said...

It is 3:15 a.m. in my South Asia country. I could not sleep. Guess prayer was needed on your side of the world. Today it seems my scary place to live is quieter than yours. Thank you for reminding me to pray specifically.

Don said...

We lifted your requests up today. When Satan is attacking his hardest, God's workers are often doing their best. Praying for a supernatural resolution to these problems.

Ross Garner said...

Jane and I are praying for you and your people. Let us know by email if you would like us to pray for specific things for you and your family.

Would it be possible to send some money to help Pedro? How would we do this?

J. Guy Muse said...

Travis, Darrell, Jacci, George, Ross,

Thanks for the prayer support and your words of encouragement. All any of our people are asking for is prayer. They know it is the enemny who is behind the attacks, but need spiritual strength and fortitude to stand in the face of adversity without losing heart.

Gordon said...

You and the folks there are in my prayers. I will pass these requests along to my Sunday School class tomorrow as well.

Doug said...

I've just lifted this up and will pass it on.

Unknown said...

I am praying for the dear saints in Equador. We will pray together tomorrow night when we assemble as believers for the love feast.

As Paul prayed for the Philippians...may your love abound in real knowledge and all discernment so that you may approve the things that are excellent so that you will be sincere and blameless on the day of Christ Jesus!

Your Brother,
Brent

Kevin Stilley said...

Just a quick note to let you know that we have prayed, and will continue to pray, for the concerns you mentioned and for God's blessing.

Bryan Riley said...

Ditto to all of the above. Thank you for sharing your ministry with us so that we can be co-workers with you.

J. Guy Muse said...

Gordon, Doug, Brent, Kevin, Bryan,

Your notes and assurances of prayer are most appreciated. Only eternity will show the full effects that prayer has on what happens here on earth.

OKpreacher said...

Guy,

Prayer SOS answered.

OKpreacher

Corazon Latino said...

We're praying for all these servants and spreading the word to pray for them also.

David Rogers said...

Guy,

As I am sure you are well aware, Satan's attacks are often a sign that something significant is going on that he deems worthy of attack.

Please be assured of my prayers for you and the believers in Ecuador.

David

J. Guy Muse said...

okpreacher, corazon latino, David, and sembrador,

Each of your prayers is most appreciated. Every prayer counts and we want each of you to know how much your prayer support means to us. Thank you. I hope to have an update on the powerfuly effects your praying is having on these situations.