Family letter by Debra

June 29, 2015

Dear ladies,

As I gaze out my kitchen window while writing this letter, the weather is far from being perfect - it is cold, rainy and quite gloomy for the last few days of June, not what I had in my plans. How do we respond, with despair, confusion or self-pity, when we are forced to change our plans or to step outside of what we think is normal? Or do we TRUST and rest in the PEACE that only the LORD can give for He alone is PERFECT and He is a BUCKLER (protection) to those who TRUST in Him?

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. Psalms 18:30

As for God, His way is perfect (entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings), so I am resting in the peace from the Lord as Children's Church comes to an end. As of July our last student, Matyaš, will join the adult's services. I am looking forward to being a part of the services, but it will be very different for me. I have prepared materials, crafts and games most weeks since our arrival on the field thirteen years ago. I do enjoy learning and will continue to help Jeff with the Sunday school class which is a great blessing and encouragement. Please pray that the Lord will bring more children into Brno Bible Baptist Church.

As for God, His way is perfect, so we continue to trust Him in our home schooling. We finished as scheduled with a little push at the end and graduation plans were changed when two the other student were unable to take part in the ceremonies here, but we trusted the Lord in each step of the preparations. James's graduation ceremony was wonderful! His testimony to the Czechs, who attended, was truly directed by the Lord. His song was uplifting and his speech was an encouragement to many. James is still awaiting an answer from the college, but plans to return to the states at the end of summer (Yes, I am crying). Now we only have David to school and we trust the Lord to do the same in his life. Please pray for James and the Lord's guidance in his life.

As for the Lord His word is tried (tested and proved good, dependable, or trustworthy) so Jeff continues to preach and teach on much needed subjects - Salvation for the lost sinner and what it is be a Christian. The hearts of the Czech people are getting harder and reaching them is getting more difficult. Please continue to pray for people to attend our services and that Czech souls would be saved from Hell.

As for the Lord His word is tried, so we continue to distribute as much literature as possible. Our summer literature campaign was going well. We have been able to distribute over 2000 tracts and 100 testaments into Czech homes. Last week, we decided to go into one of the large apartment complexes to distribute our "Suffering" tract, only to discover that they have moved their mail boxes back behind locked doors. For those of you who do not know or do not remember, we have the freedom here to put literature into the mailboxes. When we first arrived most of the apartment building had their mail boxes on the inside behind locked doors, but a few years ago they moved them to the outside making it easier for us to reach the most people with the gospel, but with the placement of the mailboxes back on the inside the task will be more difficult and slower. Please pray as we continue to distribute tracts and Bibles, trusting and leaving the results to God.

As our buckler (a means of protection; defence), so we trust Him to take care of and provide for our daughters and their families. We are encouraged by their faithfulness to the Lord and the strength of their families. We are so excited to be able to soon see our grand children; they are growing and changing so fast. Praise the Lord for "Skype" even when the plan to talk with them gets changed, they are still in our thoughts and prayers. Please pray for them as they try to live a life pleasing to the Lord and His work.

As our buckler, so we trust Him when a route check- up leads to more doctor visits. I am schedule for blood work and a colonoscopy following test results that my doctor was not pleased with during my recent two year examination. Also for my skin (the blisters), I am now scheduled for blood work and an ultra sound with the endocrinologist. Jeff's hand has healed after the operation three weeks ago, but he has less use in the fingers than he had before. He is scheduled to see the physical therapy doctor in July. Please pray for our health issues that they are not used by Satan to distract us from the work.

Are we discouraged? No, just trusting the Lord each step of the way, asking Him for guidance, direction, and the peace that we need each day. We are seeking wisdom - How can we reach the hearts of the Czech people? How can you reach those around you?

TRUST and rest in the PEACE that only He can give, when life does not go according to our plans.

Love and prayers,

Debra