Sitting here, thinking about what to put in this prayer update, I realize I could tell you about many events, such as the Big Howdy party that drew more than 500 international students, the annual Stephenville campout, where students got to stay on a real cowboy ranch and get a real Texas experience as well as a chance to hear the gospel, about the awesome Friday night groups in which many students are participating in Discovery Bible Study, as often as not led by a student, about the special training that some of the believing students are getting to develop them into Christian leaders, Roy & Tim’s scout adventure, our sharing at VBS at Calvary Church in California.

But instead I’d like to share about some things that God is teaching me lately. It mostly has to do with the nature of faith, believing God even when I don’t know what He’s up to. Lately some of the most challenging conversations I’ve had about God have been with my own kids. Our oldest is sorting through a lot of ideas right now, forming his world view. He’s being influenced by music and ideologies that dance around the truth (this is a really messed up world), but don’t offer a satisfying solution. He’s skeptical whether the Christian faith really offers that solution either. I’ve had to understand that no one comes to God unless the Father draws him. God doesn’t beckon us with logical arguments. . . he beckons us with authentic relationship.

On the other hand, my youngest has a heart that is very soft and sensitive to God right now. By nature a worrier (like her mom), I’m teaching her how to pray so that she can give her worries over to God and trust Him. Yes, it’s a matter of obedience, not what we feel like. And I have to do it, too. I can look at our dwindling support numbers and get this sick feeling. I can start imagining all sorts of worst-case scenarios. Or I can pray with faith: “God, I know that you can provide for this family and meet its needs. I’ve seen you do it before. Sometimes it’s through a paycheck; sometimes it’s through some other unexpected avenue. Sometimes it’s just learning to be content with less.” Ouch. It’s tough asking God to help me be content with less if that’s what He decides is best. But one thing is for sure; it doesn’t honor Him when I spend my time worrying and not trusting.

I’m also being challenged in how to respond to Roy when I’m feeling the strain of our busy schedule. It’s so easy to lash out and be angry at our mates when we’re under stress, but I recently was at a women’s event where the speaker reminded us of the importance of the soft answer. It’s hard to work as a team when we are blaming each other. Instead, we (okay, I) need to be slower to take offense and quicker to affirm that I want to work together, not against each other.

So, I hope you don’t mind me giving you a little snapshot into my inner world as of late. And, maybe it will give you a little better idea of how to pray for us. We’re seeing a lot of awesome things going on in the lives of students as we’re taking more of a long view of preparing them for a life of future ministry. But this is just the kind of multiplicative ministry that invites spiritual warfare. So, please, don’t stop praying for us. We need it more than ever right now, and we’re grateful for your time spent in intercession.

Lisa