Dear Fellow-laborers,
7Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: 8Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word: 9Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 10Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: 11Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 12Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 13Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. Psalm 148:7-13
Everything that God has created was created to praise His name. There is no other name worthy of our praise. Yes, even the stormy wind, in praising the LORD, fulfills his word. These past couple weeks the seemingly endless stormy winds have whipped through the house day and night causing the roofing iron and silver paper to cling and clang, and beating our faces with its icy chill. Lewis gets up early every morning to start a fire in the wood stove and keeps feeding it firewood until time to retire. Nevertheless, news of the damage caused by cyclones in nearby areas of the South Pacific, and news of the record snowfall and cold temperatures in our beloved America has caused us to realize that we have much for which to be thankful.
We certainly do want to praise the Lord for bringing salvation recently to Eris, a young lady in her late teens. She had started attending Glory Independent Baptist Church during the special meetings in January. At that time, she heard Pastor Matthew’s testimony and realized she had never been saved. Several weeks ago, Matthew and Erisapet had the privilege of leading her to faith in Jesus Christ as her Saviour. Pray for spiritual growth for Eris.
We also thank the Lord for His faithfulness to keep our hearts encouraged. A couple weeks ago, Erisapet’s mother came by for a little visit. She wanted to tell me that the sangumas were roaming around the village, and that I should not open the door if I heard them knock. (Sangumas are evil spirits that enter people’s homes and cause them harm.) I assured her that the sangumas could not enter here because God lives here and His Holy Spirit lives in my heart. God is here to protect me and my home. “Yes,” she said, “the Holy Spirit lives in my heart too, and God takes care of me. But, if the sangumas knock on the door, don’t open the door.” We went through the same scenario several times before she finally seemed content that God’s children and their homes are protected from these ministers of Satan. It is so hard sometimes for some of the older saints, who have lived so many years in darkness, to sort out the old from the new. I was encouraged, however, that she seemed certain that she is God’s child. Please be praying for our older saints, that they will not be fearful of the powers of darkness, and that they will have assurance of God’s presence and protection.
Other prayer requests: (1) Bible school students and (2) Lewis as he teaches; (3) Lewis as he works on Scripture translation; (4) Pastor Matthew as he oversees the church; (5) for Steve to be saved (6) and many others as well; (7) a godly wife for Esau; (8) another Christian school student Dallas who is now preparing for marriage; (8) repentance of backslidden believers.
We praise the Lord (1) for daily strength and provisions for our needs; (2) for His Word to comfort, teach, encourage, and guide us; (3) for one of the backslidden believers repenting of his sin today; (4) for Eris’s salvation; (5) for evidence of spiritual growth in the lives of many of the believers; (6) for all of you who take time to pray, give, and send us words of encouargement.
Because of Calvary,
Lewis & Judy Young
Owena village
P.O. Box 1112
Goroka, E.H.P. 441
Papua New Guinea
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