dark winter

When we were planning to move to this city, our dearest friend and mentor in this line of ministry told us "Don't move there in winter."  We'd heard before about the dark smoggy days, the biting cold (which has more opportunity to bite you when we walk, travel (bus stops) and visit outside with neighbors far more than in the states.)  And this winter, we're seeing it yet again...

Dear friends of ours are battling really hard depression.   They're facing major decisions, they feel need to be made immediately.  Please ask for wisdom, patience, perseverance and encouragement for them.    And it touches down and hangs over us too.... as I'm sure it does for many of you winter ones as well.  Would you ask the Father to graciously lift our eyes and hearts?

There is much opposition to our lives and work and most of all, to ministry here....  We are not welcome by the government (they barely tolerate us!).  We don't have understanding of commercial culture to be able to work well here.  We aren't used to lugging groceries home in the freezing cold.  And these are all minor, tiny bits of opposition compared to the spiritual battles against belief and clear proclamation, all the myriad misconceptions.

But the King has promised his victory!  We labor not in vain!  Ask for the Lord to encourage our souls to persevere according to His vision, His plans for us here.