Brian Phillips is a young missionary hubby I mentor, who’s headed to Spain. Your faith will be nurtured by reading below, these excerpts of his prayer update last week. And if you’re looking for a new missionary family to support, check out their blog. http://briankassie.com
–WeakDave, trying to promote more non-Christian fellowship
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Praying friends,
I want to thank you again for your prayers and notes of encouragement. If our partnership with you does anything, I hope that it dispels the silly notion that missionaries are “super-Christians” or have any less need for grace than non-missionaries. Believe me, if missions were only for the have-it-all-together Christians, Kassie and I would not be qualified! This time of deputation/support-raising keeps on showing us how selfish and faith-less we are. God is overhauling our souls, but it ain’t a pretty process. I feel myself doubting a lot, while I know ALL God wants from me is trust. That’s why we named our youngest son Jairus, because to him Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid, only believe.”
For the last few months, I’ve been asking people to pray for our friend Manuel Cazares. Manuel was our favorite waiter at our favorite restaurant. I tried to share the Gospel with him, but he said, “Nah, I’m too bad for that. Maybe when I am older.” Many months later, Manuel murdered his girlfriend and her paramour. After visiting him in jail (getting to visit him in itself was a work of God), I was able to share about hope and forgiveness found in Jesus many times to Manuel. He wanted more information and was eventually transformed by God. Manuel was later found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June.
Support raising was looking pretty bleak a month ago, but is now more encouraging. I was reminded that my job is not to raise money. My job is to tell as many people as possible how God has been working in us and why we are excited to join what He is doing in Spain. His job is to raise the money. We’re over 15% now and I’m asking God to get us to 30% by the end of May. No matter what, I know that God is in control and His plans are perfect.
Prayer requests:
Manuel – pray that he would be assigned to a prison with solid, Spanish-speaking believers and that he could hug his son before going to prison. There is a possibility that I will speak at his sentencing trial in St. Charles, MO.