pressed but not crushed

The ladies getting the kids ready for their day of ministry at the school... at 5:30 AM!

Just want to update you all on how things are progressing... the pace is fast and there isn't any internet where we are staying, so we have to check in where we can! 

- Work at the primary school is going well. Our kids seem to be adapting beautifully to the kids there, and they have stepped right in to help where they can. They have actually amazed both their parents and Harold & Connie (the leaders of HOTN). For this we are thankful. 

- Tony began his class with the security crew today. They were hesitant at first, but after an hour or so jumped right in and started hurting each other :) Tony was able to give four of them their first Bibles, which was an unexpected blessing. We can't wait to see what God does with this crew.

- Aly and Dee are under a bit more pressure. Dee has a cold, which is hard when your primary tool is your singing voice. Pray that she experiences healing. She also has had some difficulty with some of her supplies, but though prayer it seems to be working out. Aly sprained her ankle this afternoon, pretty badly. Pray for healing. If she can't put weight on it we may have to move residences so she can get around a bit better. Her heart is to be right in the mix of things with her kids, and the thought of not being able to do this is a bummer. 

- The boys all went to the village this afternoon, and experienced firsthand the darkness of this place. There were a group of women actively trying to disrupt their Bible club, and trying to intimidate them. Someone looked as if they were trying to put curses on the group giving the message. They came back a little wide-eyed, and we processed and prayed. 

- Jake is teaching from second Corinthians. His passage for today reads as follows:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed... 

 ...For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
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It seems more than appropriate. We can feel the reality of the spiritual warfare here... But we serve a God who is greater and who has a beautiful thing He plans to do in and through us here. We covet your prayers!