Comforting Those Who Mourn - April 2007

“The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” (James 5:16, NASB)

Shalom family and friends!

God has given us the most amazing privilege – that we can come before His very throne and bring Him our prayers, petitions, and cares. Wow! James 5 speaks of how prayer has great power… great power because of The Great One to Whom we pray. The Lord Is Able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we can ask or think; now that’s power! James reminds us of Elijah, and how amazingly God heard his prayers. And we are encouraged to realize this oh so important reality: Elijah was a human being just like us. So when we come before The Father, let’s remember that He understands that we are mere mortals… we have weaknesses, and He’s well aware of them. But in His wisdom, He chooses to use us still - humans who have insecurities, fears, and the like. Thanks be to God that He does!

I just received my letter of invitation this morning, and I then sent that along with the other necessary papers to the Russian Embassy to apply for the actual visa. They should have everything tomorrow morning, and will be going through it for the next 6-10 days or so. If you would, please stop and say a prayer now, and please keep this in prayer over the next week to two weeks.

If God grants me favor in their eyes to be approved for the visa, I will - Lord willing - be in Bsln from about the mid/end of April until November or so. Of course I’m really, really excited to head back there, and see all the friends I miss. Just this morning (about 2:30 AM our time, sorry Mom and Dad!) one of the grandmas from the Mother’s Committee called and asked if I was coming back – I replied, ‘Of course,’ and she said, “We love you.” This is a grandmother who lost one of her young granddaughters in the terrorist attack.

God willing, I truly believe this coming season of service there will be even more effective than the earlier trips; may that be so, and all to His glory and praise!  

Prayer Requests

• Pray for Lindsey’s family – she was the young lady I asked for prayer for regarding her cancer. Sadly to write, she passed away recently. Pray for God to comfort her family and friends.
  
• 2 missions teams from Canada leave on March 29 th – one group (of 16) is heading to Peru to help with an orphanage, and the other group (of 20) will be helping Pastor Bradley and the new For Zion’s Sake ministry in Switzerland . Please pray for them, and especially for my friend/second mother Ruth – she’s in charge of preparing 3 meals a day for 27 people for a whole week there in Switzerland ! Afterwards, she will be heading over to Jerusalem to spend time with the saints there.
  
• Please pray for God to give me great favor in His eyes and the Russian government’s, that they will give me the visa, and that I will receive it in good timing and without any mistakes.

Thank you so very much for all of your prayers, love, and support! Glory be to our Wonderful God!

jason