God is sufficient.
Hello good friends,
We’ve shared before about the struggle of feeling overwhelmed or defeated while serving on mission. Actually, it was almost exactly one year ago that we shared a blog about this exact topic. It must be a seasonal heaviness that tempts us to out-feel our faith.
God promises that there will always be poor among us (Deuteronomy 15:11). I imagine this is the case for many reasons; one of them being: this earth is not our home. As long as we're here, there will always be suffering (John 16:33). I also believe there will always be people in need among us to provide us an abundance of opportunity to put our faith in action. And finally, if God promises that there will always be poor among us, then we know that we can never satisfy everyone's need. And thus, we are not sufficient for them. This is actually a huge comfort and relief to us.
The temptation when feeling overwhelmed by the never-ending needs of the poor is either to do everything or do nothing. Either we throw everything their way, depleting ourselves emotionally/physically or we abandon the cause altogether. If we can't do it all, then why do anything at all? The problem with both of those responses is pride. Either response relies entirely on us and not on the wisdom and instruction of God.
While God promises suffering and poverty in this world, He also promises that He is sufficient for us: “‘But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Our “goodness” pales in comparison to the goodness of God: “9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:9-11).
Think of the most sincere love you can muster in your human heart and know that such love is pitiful (see Romans 3) in comparison to the love of God. God is so “other". He is so unconfined to this world that we truly cannot comprehend his love and goodness.
God alone is sufficient for us and for every other soul out there. We will continue to be obedient and live out our faith while He does the rest.
2023 ended with a slew of back to back mission trips! Just after Thanksgiving we left for the Blackfeet Reservation where we were greeted with the difficult news of hearing that 30 teachers and faculty from Heart Butte School had been let go. A disturbing fact that has left the student body with a big hole which was once filled with so much care, support and encouragement.
Please join us in praying specifically for God to move the heart of a pastor in the surrounding area (specifically Browning, Montana) to come and share the gospel with this community every Wednesday and Sunday weekly.
We rejoice as even though their circumstances seem to worsen, the children remain kind and hopeful in the midst of so much injustice. Please pray that this posture continues and does not harden their hearts toward God. Pray that their faith remains strong and that they endure with good temper. One thing we know for sure: the Lord is not done here and we are not done here!
We then headed back east for our 7th Annual Gatlinburg Christmas Mission Project! Hannah Beth Lee organized this incredible event and coordinated Christmas gifts, food distribution and serving to over 100 families. Over 40 volunteers came from all over to serve at this weekend event.
Most notably, we enjoyed strong worship and fellowship amongst this growing group. We saw so much fruit that was sewn from seeds planted years ago. Praise be to God!
We spent mid-December in Tecate. Mexico serving several families with Christmas gifts, groceries and tending to family-specific needs. Americans don't always realize that Mexican citizens make a fraction of what Americans make, yet endure many of the same costs of living as Americans. This is certainly the case in an area like Tecate.
Please pray for this area. We can't always change their circumstances, but we can pray that God grant them unexplainable peace, gratitude and glad hearts in the midst of it!
We ended 2023 in Roatan Island, Honduraswith our beloved and closely followed mission kids!
We got to see Baby Taylor and his mother who explained that Taylor is supposed to be having leg surgery soon (we can only pray this is the case). We supplied them with extensive food and even gave them their very first "Christmas" - they had never received Christmas gifts and celebration before.
Nyail is doing well in school. We work closely with a woman in the area who looks after him and checks in on him regularly. Please pray for a greater support to come for Nyail as he still has needs yet to be met.
Finally, the Roatan 5 kids are still doing very well! They excel in school as well as in their personal lives. Their hearts are so strong and positive. They still have needs and their situation is not perfect, but they are in a very positive place!
Thank you for taking the time to read and understand where JPM is in the world and what we are doing to care for God's people.
The best way I can lift you up after reading about the somewhat heavy nature of what we do is through this verse: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).
Please be on the lookout for an upcoming JPM prayer project called "They're the ONE of the 99". We will be asking each of you to pick a child to pray for over the next year and then watch God move!
We love you, we thank you, and we honor you for your partnership.
More to come!
Joey & Cathy
