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Hiebert Newsletter June 2008 |
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Dear praying friend,
Thanks for praying. We are over our heads. What I mean is especially these days. Really in doing God's work, we are usually over our heads here. It is only by God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit that we can do anything (2Cor. 3:5-6).
In the most urgent situation, a crisis was averted for at least the time being as a result of talking and praying together with one person. It is difficult to report major progress, but I think things are a bit more stable. The threat of divorce was made and those words are not easily retracted, nor is the pain they cause without effect. Pray for grace and patience and a willingness to forgive.
In another case, things are still very precarious. Their family's situation has been dysfunctional for years - only recently has the extent of that become known. Aside from a major series of miracles, it won't improve quickly. Please pray for grace for the family members to begin to listen and care for each other.
In another case there is a little more talking going on and a little mutual understanding. A phone call just moments ago indicated last night was better than other days. But here too, aside from some major intervention from our Gracious Father, the complexities of their problems just leave us as a baffled.
In another case there was confession of sin and the beginning of breaking the power of temptation in that area. So we give thanks to God for that.
An ESL student of mine and a long-time friend was rear-ended on the way home from class last week. It ended up being a hit and run. The police have caught the guy and he is back in jail - apparently out only since March or so. It seems he didn't have insurance and it probably wasn't even his car - another bad guy's car. My student has mild injuries and is wondering what to do.
I had better stop. You might start thinking I'm involved in some creative writing here, making up this list of improbable stories. I wish that is all it was. But our faith is in God and we believe that He graciously listens to the prayers of His children and offers grace to all who humble themselves before Him in recognition of their need.
A couple more notes for you to remember in prayer.
Saturday afternoon I have a session with the men of our church. The topic this month is overcoming temptation.
Sunday afternoon our church membership will meet to pray for some of the issues going on in families in our church.
Sunday evening we will have a remembrance service for the 99 year old father (passed away last June) of Mr. Yanagisawa.
Trenton's schooling needs.
Leona and I are taking some time off next week to celebrate our 25 year wedding anniversary (April 2) and our recent birthdays (June 8 and 9). I turned the big 5-0! Pray the Good Shepherd who is also the Head of the Church will take care of the flock while we try to take a break. Yes, you can pray that will be refreshed too!
Thanks to each of you who stand with us in prayer. You mean so much to us and we can't make it without your prayers.
For the King and His Kingdom,
Laurence and Leona Hiebert
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