A & O- sentence up soon

Two of our brothers have been held away from their families for almost two years now because of their faith in and service for Jesus in the area that we love.

Pray for O who has been in a labor camp. His two year sentence will be completed next month and he should be released. Since he and his wife have allowed foreign advocacy (from groups like China Aid) on their behalf, local authorities greatly dislike them for having foreign connections (foreignors are often greatly mistrusted) and for drawing attention to the injustice of this case (thereby shaming these authorities.)

Please pray for O to be released and to be protected when he is. Pray for a continued strong witness to the men around him in labor camp. Pray for provision for and protection for his wife and two children- and for their strength and encouragement in the Lord.

For our brother A, who has been held for nearly 2 years without any conviction, ask that the Lord would bring justice and help for him, comfort to him in prison, and continued grace to be a bold and loving witness and to see men around him come to know Christ. Pray also that his wife and children would be physically protected and provided for and spiritually strengthened and encouraged.

Matthew 9:36-38

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

Lord of the harvest, give us eyes to see like you see and compassion like yours. Burden many more hearts to go and serve those who have never heard your Gospel. Send out new workers Lord! Provide for them, equip them and send them out to humbly serve.

Fall Travels

Thank you for praying for our family as we've been traveling this fall. We've been honestly surprised with how smooth the road has been for us (sad comment on our faith) yet we have been truly grateful for God's evident grace to make it so.

Thinking of this time in the states, the two of us agreed that these are our top desires:

1- To deepen in prayer

2- To be more rooted in, submitted to the Word of God

3- Grace for our kids

We can see God's provision in each of these areas, though we are both eager to gain from the first two requests more still. We're about half way through with this first "home assignment" time and are desiring to be nourished in the Lord well together- the two of us- so that we can return to the work in Asia with our tanks topped off.... fueled up and ready to serve. Thank you for praying!