First, thank you so much to those who are fasting and praying with us. This has been a tremendous encouragement. It has prodded, nudged and inspired us to keep on. We know that for some this is your first fast, others are starting your fast today (March 4) and some have emailed your daily prayer for us. Please know how deeply grateful we are and that we have also been praying by name for all those that we know are fasting and praying with us.
Second, at the end of this blog you will find an update on the items for which we are fasting and praying where there have been changes. Items that have not changed are not updated and you can find them at: www.cox-net.com/prayer_blog/?p=252. One praiseworthy item is that we have received all the documents needed to apply for the title deed for the Parakou compound.
It is at this point that I wish I could tell you how much joy and peace I have found during these days of fasting and praying, but that is not the case. I wish I could recount God’s abounding grace in my life, giving me extra patience with my wife and Miriam in the midst of being hungry but I must report I have been most grumpy. I wish I could give an account of how easily I have maintained the singularity of focus I wrote about on February 27 but maintaining that focus has been and continues to be an uphill battle, maybe even more so this week than usual.
Oh Lord, may Your Spirit work in us and may we yield to Him so that joy, peace and patience will flow from You. May we not be deceived to think that our contentment is from our circumstances but clearly know it comes from Your indwelling. May You in Your time and in accordance with Your perfect plan bring about all things to the glory of Your Name. May I not question your wonderfully mysterious ways.
Benin Staffing Needs: It appears that there is an engineering intern in the pipeline for this summer.
Non-Government Organization (NGO) Status: This process has hit a major problem as I have already reported in my February 15 update.
Title Deed for Parakou compound: As mentioned above, we now have all the documentation needed to apply for the title deed. While this isn’t the title deed, the wonderful thing about this documentation is that it clearly establishes TWR’s right to the property.
Ivory Coast: This situation continues to deteriorate. Please pray for the safety of TWR staff and the key role they play in the ministry to West Africa.
Benin Presidential Election in March: There has been some interesting politics in the last week, however, we are still hopeful for a peaceful election