"For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God." - Saint Teresa of Avilia
FROM THE DESK OF: the Director of Partnerships
Thursday night’s World Briefing 2014 was a sweet, intimate time for our staff and the Fox family to share what God has done through Uttermost this past year. Many of our faithful supporters have loved the Fox family for over 20 years, so sharing with them joys, frustrations, successes, and setbacks is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. Reporting the fruits of their co-laboring gives our supporters a glimpse into how the Lord is moving through the avenue of sports in spite of the difficulties in the places we work.
This year seemed like more of a quiet year in terms of the number projects and activities, due in large part to the conflict and civil wars all over the Middle East. The demands of canceling and postponing projects while trying to mobilize more long-term workers can be trying. Our international office has also been severely short-staffed, making it more challenging to coordinate work, even under the best of circumstances. David-Andrew Fox shared a humorously obscure verse – Proverbs 14:4 – about how a stable might be very clean when there are no oxen, but it is difficult to bring in the harvest without them. We have had a ‘clean stable’ of sorts this quiet year, or as Mrs. Fox shared, a “hidden year” where we have yet to discover all the Lord did while it seemed understaffing and civil war reigned. I think that is a lesson for all of us – we may think a particular season is quiet or “hidden” because it may not look like much is happening. But we know God is moving in ways we cannot see, opening avenues still unknown to us. And what we have seen the Lord do is more than enough to praise Him and trust Him with everything.
The amazing thing is we wouldn’t have stories to brief anyone if God’s people weren’t obedient to His moving and prompting – to pray, to give, to advocate, and to go – and for this, we are so grateful. We are expectant of what the Lord will do as He grows our international office staff and guides us amidst the turmoil and conflict in our parts of the world. This next year is going to be incredible and we can’t wait to tell you all about it at next December’s World Briefing 2015.
For the Win[Dow],
Annie, DOP
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Exodus 14:13-14
And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.
COUNTRY OF THE WEEK: INDONESIA
Indonesia is a sovereign state in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising thousands of islands. It encompasses 33 provinces and 1 Special Administrative Region (for being governed by a pre-colonial monarchy) with an estimated population of over 252 million people, making it the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia's republican form of government comprises an elected legislature and president. The nation's capital city is Jakarta. The country shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor, andMalaysia. Other neighboring countries include Singapore, the Philippines, Australia, Palau, and the Indian territory of theAndaman and Nicobar Islands. Indonesia is a founding member of ASEAN and a member of the G-20 major economies. The Indonesian economy is the world's 17th largest by nominal GDP.
http://prayercast.com/indonesia.html
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Pray for additional translators and support staff to translate Scripture into over 700 indigenous languages.
- Pray for peace and protection for believers amid growing momentum to force Islam on all peoples.
- Pray for Christians to boldly proclaim grace and salvation through Jesus Christ.
- Pray for Uttermost US office.
- Pray for Uttermost reps on the field.