Cause for Rejoicing by Carol

On July 1, 2016April 26, 2020 By Jacob LeeIn Uncategorized2 Comments

DSCF6086 — Jacob preaching in Moyo at the Muslim Open Air Meeting

It is a particular joy for me to write again by way of encouragement in answered requests and prayers. Everyone who sows a seed wants to see it germinate and grow into a fruitful plant!

“Those who shed tears as they plant will shout for joy when they reap the harvest.”

Psalm 126:5

I am experiencing that great joy in letting you know that the money we requested for 17 year old Walter’s open heart surgery has come in! Praise the Lord! To God it is no harder to produce $12,000 than to produce $12, but to my meager faith it is much akin to the parting of the Red Sea!! (A mega thanks to those who gave!) The family is thrilled and relieved and is doing everything in their power to take the next steps toward traveling to India for the surgery. They had a family/community meeting on Sunday to gain support for tasks which need to be accomplished on this end. I will continue to update you on Walter’s progress. You would love Walter…he has a sweet and humble heart. I wonder what great thing the Lord has for him to do?!!
The brother who was experiencing hateful treatment and threats from neighbors because of his association with Jacob is now doing well and has the good will and protection of the local police though he had to flee for the night. He is back home and able to carry on as usual. That situation has become peaceful.
The situation which was discouraging to us with regard to attacks on our ministry and personally against Jacob remains, but, as in every circumstance which is allowed by the Lord, it is producing good things in us, namely, self-examination, humility, prayer, organization and getting our “ducks in a row,” improvement as an NGO as we become more informed on non-profit NGO operations, trust in the plans that the Lord has for us (as opposed to relying on ourselves or feeling that accomplishment of plans is in the sole power of us or others).

images (1)

Last week, Jacob had an interesting experience here in Moyo. As you know, it is the month of Ramadan for the Muslims. Jacob was invited to share during a Muslim “open air” meeting. It was clearly intended as a set-up for ridicule of Christians. Here is a Face book post I made describing the experience:

“Well…these photos of Jacob’s experience at the Muslim open air “crusade” are from my perch and perspective…
It was an interesting event, to say the least. We found out that they brought in a “specialist” from Tanzania because they were concerned about the effect that the dialogues, which Jacob has been a part of, are having on the local population. (The Tanzanian is the one in the beautiful, blue garb taking a picture of Jacob speaking.) Thanks, Emma, for your translating skills.
We heard, later, that the Muslims convened a special meeting on Sunday to address the impact which Jacob has had as he shares in a respectful and thoughtful way.
The crowd was especially entertained and lively, repeatedly shouting, “Allahu Akbar!” as the Tanzanian effectively mimicked and “caricaturized” some showboating Christian preachers. Little did the crowd know that we could agree on much of their assessments of “preachers” who want to put on a show and make more of miracles than the One who can perform them or who make much of the gift, more so than the Giver.
I was proud of Jacob in his ability to remain calm, kind and respectful when the strong current around him was rough and volatile.
I wish that, as Christians, we could do better at respecting the image of God in others. How much more would others respect and be open to what we have to say if love and respect actually were apparent in our actions, attitudes and words?! After all, what condition were we in when Christ, in love, stepped away from glory to become like us, to live righteously on our behalf and die lovingly for us, His enemies?
“In a servant leadership culture we learn by choice or example that if we want to be great, we have to serve others respectfully.”
― Vern Dosch, Wired Differently
As I stood in the crowd, a Muslim gentleman approached me and shook my hand. He was obviously embarrassed at the tone of some of the speakers and he made every effort to welcome me and show respect. He was not proud of the way in which words were spoken.
People on every side of a given issue, conflict or idea can see that the way FORWARD is paid in the currency of respectfulness.”

Moyo Muslim Open Air Pictures

DSCF6109

Jacob had a very different experience a few days later as he traveled to Arua through Yumbe. While in Yumbe he met with Charles and the Khard (in his office) where there were gathered for a meeting about 20 Sheikhs and Imams. It was a friendly bantering back and forth about fasting and other things. Jacob dropped off some more Christian literature which the Khard keeps in his office for handing out.

Poster 2

We are looking so forward to seeing Ron Zeiner in a week. It will be the beginning of another busy and fruitful ministry season.

DSCF3160 — This will be Ron’s Fourth Ministry trip to RAU…thank you Ron!

Our Agricultural Extension Ministry continues to do well. Everything on the compound is growing beautifully and it looks like a lush paradise. We have had several groups come by “just to look.”

The radio program is having lasting influence in many communities within hearing of the radio signal. Last Friday, Emma moderated a group Veterinarians on his show as they discussed the care of and diseases related to livestock (cattle, goats and pigs). Included on the panel was Dr. Thomas Graham, CEO of Veterinarians Without Borders (who is hosting several teams here in the Moyo area), Dr. Unzimai Vincent-District Veterinary Officer-Representative-Moyo, Dr. Oba Peter and Dr. Apanga Michael -NARO- Animal Scientists and Dr. Unzimai Vincent-District Veterinary Officer-Representative-Moyo. It is a privilege to join forces with all those who want to provide capacity building and income generating activities in this West Nile/Ma’di region.

Ministry is not confined to church and church affairs. As the motto of Covenant College, Jacob’s Graduate School alma mater, declares, “In all things, Christ pre-eminent,” the love and truth of God should extend into every aspect of life and experience and make their imprint on every endeavor.

Just confirmed today, Jacob will be joining our new friends from Finland, Pertti Soderland and Ilka Salminen, as they, together, will meet with 50 (+/-) Imams and Sheiks in Yumbe this coming Saturday. Ilka has had some very profitable and ongoing dialogues with Muslims who live in Finland. Jacob will bring them some more resources and all three will have time to share. Of course, the Imams will also have time to speak, making it a true dialog.

Archer

Please check out this wonderful story from The Gospel Coalition about a good friend Omar: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/50-reasons-why-jesus-came-to-die-10-years-of-gods-stunning-work

I am going to venture out this weekend! My friend, Helen, from the UK, who lives in Adjumani, has invited me to come and visit her there. I will travel there tomorrow (Friday) and then we will come back here to RAU where we will spend the rest of the weekend. Yippee! Looking forward to it in a big way!!

13537696_10206584170938837_3176463808416661633_n — With my new friend Helen from the UK

Continue to keep the following events of the next month and a half on your prayer radar:

Ron Zeiner’s visit along with the 2 retreats which will be held during that time (and other ministry opportunities)
Visit of Delmar Hager (and friends) to RAU for a retreat (We have partnered since the beginning with Delmar to deliver his fully loaded Kindles into the hands of church leaders.
Our safety in travels, health and energy, and Godwardness and reliance on the Spirit’s power in all things.

Thank you for caring about what we’re doing. Thank you for praying. (We pray for you all often as well!) Thank you for giving. You are a blessing to us all over on this side of the ocean. As the ministry grows, our needs – for prayer and financial support – grow as well. Please continue to consider even a small monthly gift to help offset operational expenses. Thanks so much!

In Christ,

Carol (Jacob) Lee

13466382_10206553618415043_4881015423863454140_n

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReachingAfricasUnreached

For those who have asked, small packages and letters may safely be sent to:

Jacob & Carol Lee, PO. 55, Moyo Uganda, East Africa

The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it. (Jacob Lee)

Tax deductible charitable donations may be made via PayPal. PayPal also has a way to make reoccurring monthly gifts. To do so please click their link below. PayPal deducts a small amount from each gift as a processing fee. All gifts given through PayPal are now tax deductible as Reaching Africa’s Unreached has 501 c3 tax exempt status as a charitable organization. If you wish to write a check you may write it out to R.A.U. and mail it to Lifegate Missions, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin Texas 78155.

Study Bibles given to all who attendant leadership training

Counting It All Joy

On June 21, 2016April 26, 2020 By Jacob LeeIn Uncategorized

100+ Moyo Farmers at RAU for Field Day and Gospel Presentation

Sorry it has taken us too long to communicate with you. This has, indeed, been a busy and intense season -physically, mentally, and spirtually

The physical aspect of our work — the renovations and expansions for upcoming retreats and for the place we call “home” — has finally been concluded. Oh my! It was a stressful time! All the builders are gone and now we are in the process of reorganizing and preparing for 3 retreats between now and the time we return to the States for fundraising and reconnecting at the end of August. Though everything looks so nice and we are enjoying its benefits, the destruction and rebuilding process has taken its toll! Praise God, it is now in “past tense!“

The main purpose for renovations has been to create an infrastructure which will continue its usefulness many years into the future. The four tukalus which house church leaders and others for retreats were more temporary in nature (with grass-thatched roofs which leaked and “rained down” bugs and dust). The roofs have now been raised and vented for coolness and metal sheets have replaced the grass. Larger windows were added for airflow. The outsides have been updated to have the characteristic “RAU” appearance with red metal roofs and decorative stone around the outside. Also, the tukalus have now been equipped with solar power so that they will have lights and electricity for charging phones and such. A new and improved pit latrine with drainage has been added.

DSCF6023 — Tukalus renovated and ready for more leaders retreats

Our room and one of the guest rooms have been expanded to make them more comfortable for the long haul…we were a bit cramped in ours which served as a bedroom, office and living space. In all these expansions we have been looking at sustainability for future growth and continuation of the ministry, especially as others will be called to work alongside us or receive “the baton” of ministry.

The other guestroom was finished – just in the nick of time – for Preston and Laurel Sink’s visit. Preston and Laurel have become dear friends and partners in our ministry here in the West Nile/Ma’di region. Their presence and company cheers and encourages us and they are always eager to bring along ministry items. They are always ready for “whatever” we plan!

Preston and Laurel Sink from Florida

While they were here we enjoyed a two-day conference at Aya Baptist Church, organized by Pastor Ojji Tobious. Preston, Laurel, Zorah, Samuel and I all shared from the scriptures. (Jacob stayed behind to oversee the building projects.) There was a lot of worship and dancing. We are encouraged by the steadfastness of these believers, some of whom walked many, many miles to get to the retreat/conference held at Aya Baptist Church. Thank you, Pastor Tobious, for your tireless efforts to strengthen the churches in your area and under your care!

Preston

Laurel

During the week, while Preston and Laurel were here, we took bodas (motorcycle taxis) and went around to local schools distributing soccer balls which had been donated by friends of the Sinks. The schools were especially happy to see the balls as soccer (football) season approaches.

Football

On the last day of the Sink’s visit, we went to Kuru and met with around 100 men, many of whom were Imams and Sheikhs. Emma gave some teaching on soy bean production and included a manual in the literature they received. There has never been a time when the Agricultural information has not been received with extreme enthusiasm and gratefulness, wherever it is taught.

13445265_10206464749353372_723578708279606839_n

These meetings are an opportunity not only to give people empowering information but also to express love in action. We always take the opportunity to hand out reading glasses to all who have need. Also, at the time of our visit, the Yumbe area had been experiencing some drought. As a show of love for the people of Kuru, also God’s image-bearers, we brought along 200 kgs of soy beans which were grown on RAU land to be distributed to those who had signed up for the Ag in-service. Half way through the day, the Lord graciously caused a heavy rain to fall. Since then, rain has been falling more regularly in the area.

2016-02-04 18.38.19

Last Friday, we hosted 100 or so farmers through the Moyo District Farmers’ Association here at RAU’s demonstration plot. It was a full and busy day. Jacob shared some spiritual words of encouragement. Emma shared a lot of information with them and then took them by groups around to the various crops for hands-on instruction, especially in soy bean production. They all were keenly interested and asked many questions and took notes. I added a little to the day by giving a demonstration on identifying the readiness of watermelon for harvest. We had several watermelon which were cut up and then distributed to each farmer to taste. Many had never tasted watermelon before. They were scrambling to get some seeds when it was over. Several of them bought a watermelon for a greatly reduced price just so they could have more seeds to plant.

13460840_10206501288946839_535330009_o

DSCF6064

RAU,

Apiku Emmanuel (Emma), is having an encouragingly good impact on the community by way of inspiring them and providing timely information on crop production and livestock management. The radio Ag call-in show, which Jacob was inspired to start, has been one of the best venues for helping the greatest number of people possible. For this coming Friday’s radio show, Emma will interrupt his normal plan of crop production to focus on livestock management, inviting some visiting guests with Veterinarians Without Borders to join him so that their expertise can benefit the community as well. We are so grateful for this door of opportunity which has opened up so that wherever the radio program can be heard (and it is a very large area, indeed) people are receiving a high level of Ag Extension service free of charge to them. Many see this service as being a way out of their poverty and a way of development for the community.

Now that the renovations have finished and we prepare for some specific ministry events we ask you, our beloved supporters, to pray, prioritize and give towards the operational expenses of this ministry. (Recent activities and ministry have nearly depleted our funds.) Everything we have accomplished is through your generosity and partnership. Everything we hope to continue to do is through the same means. Please keep us on your “ministry radar” so that what has been started can also be completed! Thanks so very much!

images (1)

Please be in prayer for the following concerns:

a brother in a nearby area who came close to being beaten/killed because of his association with Jacob
spiritual, physical and emotional protection and encouragement as Jacob and I and those working with us experience the unpleasant brunt of an attempt to discredit and bring us down personally and as an NGO by someone much akin to Sanballat in the book of Nehemiah (chapter 4), and Alexander, the Coppersmith in the book of 2 Timothy (4:14)
upcoming retreats (2) and teaching ministry of Ron Zeiner who will be here for about 3 weeks during the month of July
upcoming ministry in August of Delmar Hager and his team for a time of intense teaching (Delmar is our awesome brother who has provided the many Kindles which have been loaded with wonderful books and then distributed to local church leaders)
a young 17 year old boy (Walter) who developed heart valve disease after rheumatic fever and who is in desperate need of open heart surgery for valve replacement. Such a surgery is not only not available in Uganda, but it is well outside the affordability of the parents. Without surgery (and the doctors have suggested that the heart will suffer further damage if repair is not done by September) this young boy will not see many years. The family has already lost their oldest child to a tragic death. Their son’s situation is sorrow upon sorrow. The boy would be taken to India (I have been communicating with a representative from the hospital there and I have the medical records to verify this as a legitimate case) for surgery and recovery. With the help of a subsidy, the total cost of travel, room and board, surgery and recovery is $12,000. This amount is outside the scope of RAU’s budget and plans, but the Lord has touched our hearts to ask for help with this situation. We would like to receive the full amount by August 7th so that we can get the money to the parents before we leave for our USA visit. We are asking those of you to give who would be able to do so without diminishing your support of our regular ministries. Donations could be made through PayPal on our website: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/donations/ or by writing a check to RAU (with a notation for Walter) and mailing it to Lifegate Missions, 395 Lifegate Lane, Seguin, TX, 78155. All gifts are tax deductible.

Thanks so much, dear family and friends, for standing with us in support and prayer and encouragement. We are blessed to be linking arms and efforts with you.

Love in Christ,

Carol (and Jacob) Lee

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReachingAfricasUnreached

For those who have asked, small packages and letters may safely be sent to:

Jacob & Carol Lee, PO. 55, Moyo Uganda, East Africa

The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it. (Jacob Lee)

Tax deductible charitable donations may be made via PayPal. PayPal also has a way to make reoccurring monthly gifts. To do so please click their link below. PayPal deducts a small amount from each gift as a processing fee. All gifts given through PayPal are now tax deductible as Reaching Africa’s Unreached has 501 c3 tax exempt status as a charitable organization. If you wish to write a check you may write it out to R.A.U. and mail it to Lifegate Missions, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin Texas 78155.

Study Bibles given to all who attendant leadership training

A Blessed Day with Imams and Sheikhs

On June 12, 2016April 26, 2020 By Jacob LeeIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Kuru Yumbe District Northwestern Uganda

Thank you who prayed for our time with Muslim leaders on Saturday, the 11th. Only heaven can measure the impact of your prayers and our time with devout Muslims.

13412939_10206464750233394_1514871459933192035_n

We had a blessed day with Muslim leaders in nearby Kuru Yumbe District. It was a full day! All the Sheikhs and Imams, as well as others in attendance, received us well and treated us hospitably. We met in an office building near Kuru’s main Mosque. This is my second meeting with Kuru Sheikhs and Imams. Our friendship has been growing as they have come to trust me. I am confident that the Lord has many who are His in Kuru (compare: Acts 18:9). We will continue to proclaim the glorious gospel there as long as the Lord enables us.

Once we were settled, I shared a brief word of encouragement after Preston and Laurel, Carol, Mindra, Emma and Charles introduced themselves. Sadly, Preston and Laurel Sink, from Florida, had to leave midday. It was very hard to see them go as we had such sweet fellowship with and encouragement from them.

13450820_699019328970_4039642137472295983_n

Carol spending a break outside with the children

Those in attendance received reading glasses, Bibles in three languages (Arabic, Aringa, and English), Christian-Muslim apologetic materials, and a agricultural lesson from Emma! During his teaching we received a heavy down pour of rain so much so that we had to wait for it to get quiet as we were under a tin roof. When it stopped raining Emma asked me in front of everyone who sent the rain (keep in mind they are in the midst of a drought). I said loudly and confidently “Isa”! The response was mixed :-).

Emma

Emma also shared how to prepare the soybeans which we had brought for eating. We left them with the responsibility to divide the 200 kilograms of the RAU grown soybeans.

13445265_10206464749353372_723578708279606839_n

Lastly, Carol and I were given some time for closing comments. We both emphasized that we love them. I went on and told them it is my prayer that Isa would reveal Himself to them through His Word and through dreams and visions.

13419066_10206464752313446_2132854948351400973_n

We hope to get another newsletter out soon highlighting all of our activities with Preston and Laurel Sink the 10 days they were with us.

In Jesus Sovereign and Loving Grip,

Jacob (Carol) Lee

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReachingAfricasUnreached

For those who have asked, small packages and letters may safely be sent to:

Jacob & Carol Lee, PO. 55, Moyo Uganda, East Africa

The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it. (Jacob Lee)

Praise the Lord!

On May 14, 2016April 26, 2020 By Jacob LeeIn Uncategorized2 Comments

13059431_10206176913837664_364213853_n

Many thanks to those of you who intercede for us, give us encouragement and support! Carol, in our last newsletter, laid bare our hearts. Thank you to all who wrote back with encouragement. We are blessed to have so many loving friends! The separation from loved ones and all that accompanies “home” has been somewhat easier for me than Carol. I tend to bury myself (rightly or wrongly) in the work. I, too, need prayer that I will drink from the “fountain of life” and not from murky, leaky cisterns. Frontier gospel work has many challenges and blessings. We do covet your continual intercession.

**Here are some of our recent “Praise the Lord’s“. Please join us in thanking the Lord!**

We have had a total 7 different meetings with Aringa Muslim leaders,Sheikhs and Imams, where I have had opportunity to preach the gospel. They have received us warmly and were very hospitable. The Sheikhs and Imams have all received Bibles (Aringa NT’s, Arabic, and ESV Global Study Bibles) and Christian-Muslim apologetic reading materials as well as medicines and reading glasses. The Aringa Tribe is classified by the Joshua Project as a unreached people group with less than 2% of them claiming to be Christian. This has been confirmed by our Aringa co-workers and my experience traveling and preaching throughout Yumbe District. Pray! Intercede fervently!
We just received our 5-year renewal of Ugandan NGO status. We are now working on extending our work permits. Any time we have success in such things it brings much praise to my heart and lips!
A second bore hole is currently being drilled in a remote Metu mountain area where we have been doing gospel preaching and church planting. Access to clean water is a big need in the area. Praise God for the donor and East African Ministries who are doing the drilling work.
All of RAU’s 17 acres now have fruit trees and vegetables planted on them. Lord willing, this will help bring income into the ministry and help make it more self-sustaining. RAU now has around 750 grafted mangoes, over 1500 banana plants, and many vegetables/grains of various sorts. The land is all fenced in well with barbed wire and t-posts so that the goats and other animals cannot wreck havoc.
Our tukalus are being worked on to better facilitate pastor /church leader training here at RAU. After completion, we will have a total of 36 beds for guests attending training. Since our move we have had 19 four-day leadership retreats. Pray for the continuation of this 2 Timothy 2:2 vision
Work on expanding our bedroom will be finished soon. Living in our place of ministry gives only our bedroom as a place of privacy. With this expansion into the veranda we will no longer have to use the bed as a desk. We will have a small kitchenette, working areas for both Carol and me, a shower (still no hot water though), place for the bed , a small table and sitting area. It will go a long way in helping us stay healthy here long term.
Our agricultural outreach in the area has really blossomed and given a wide open door for ministry in the local community. We have a weekly 2-hour Agricultural call-in program with , Emma, who is a “man of the soil” and has been trained well. It is fashioned after the garden showed I used to listen to on San Antonio’s WOAI AM 1200 on Saturday mornings. Our 17 acres is also serving as demonstration plot on how one can make money with the fertile, God-given land in area. We also dedicate one whole day to Ag training in our leaders’ retreats to equip them, as most all have to make money off their gardens while being church leaders. The positive feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.
I continue to have an open door to preach on the local and powerful, private (non-christian) radio station.

There are many other things but the list would get too long. Without a doubt, both Carol and I believe God has been preparing us all our lives for what we are doing now. While we often face challenges and trials, they are not near the level of joys!

10336613_762937540424743_3493822421872345899_n

The Grace of God

Without the grace of God and the prayers and support of God’s people we could do nothing. Any ongoing support for the above things is always appreciated. As many of you know, there are a lot of behind-the-scene operational expenses. For instance, we just bought a very large pressure cooker (36 liter) to assist cooking for our large groups and had to do more maintenance work on the Land Cruiser which gets us into very difficult places (geographically speaking) to preach and teach. There is the expense of printing materials for the Imams and Sheikhs, and the list could go on. Many thanks to those who support RAU financially.

My burden for establishing a Bible school grows stronger and stronger. With regard to the facilities, with each project being completed, we get closer. The next construction project I would like to move forward on is the building of a large classroom with an attached kitchenette and study area. Once that is completed we could move forward with the Bible school operation and getting accredited.

Well that is all for now. May God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and grant you His peace!

With love and prayers,

Jacob (Carol) Lee

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReachingAfricasUnreached

For those who have asked, small packages and letters may safely be sent to:

Jacob & Carol Lee, PO. 55, Moyo Uganda, East Africa

The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it. (Jacob Lee)

Refreshed By Living Waters

On May 8, 2016 By Jacob LeeIn Uncategorized

Just recently, Jacob and I both downloaded a free e-book onto our Kindles called, Missionaries Are Real People: Surviving transitions, navigating relationships, overcoming burnout and depression and finding joy in God, by Ellen Rosenberger. (Almost a Puritan-length title there!)

The title itself elbowed me. I read a little just to get the flavor of the author’s ideas. This is what I found: “The stereotype that “missionaries are perfect” is debilitating to missionaries who are living in the reality of their own brokenness and imperfection…We have to start talking about the real issues going on in missionaries’ lives…What is hard, needs attention, needs help and needs redemption?” Ouch!

We can’t blame this stereotyping completely on others! We missionaries contribute to it by not talking about our brokenness, our struggles and what needs redemption. We tend to write grand narratives of the wonderful things which God is doing (and He is!) or the big list of things we have accomplished (which we have!). However, many times the people who are receiving these narratives have nothing else on which to build any assumption other than “missionaries are ________ (whatever grandiose adjective you might have for missionaries.)”

So, here is the under belly of missionary life [which, by the way, can become the means of strength and grace.]

Typically, we are out of our comfort zones – Jacob and I miss our family more than words can say. It is just “plum” painful. We miss conveniences and foods, but, mostly, we miss our family profoundly. We are missing out…there is no doubt about that! And they are missing out on us, too!

We are isolated from other graces, such as our local church, which is also our family. We miss opportunities to be fed and nurtured by our under shepherds. We miss the corporate gathering of the church and worshiping in a language and culture which is meaningful to us and helpful in keeping our eyes fixed on Christ. We miss out on our small group interactions where accountability and encouragement take place. This has been painful for both Jacob and me.

We are separated from friendships which have been built over a lifetime. It’s hardly possible to regain that in a few years, especially when a new language and culture must be navigated. It’s easy to feel like outsiders, especially in large crowds where everyone is laughing and talking in a language you don’t understand. Participating in it is impossible.

As I have struggled through these issues I have had numerous bouts of depression and lots of tears.

I know this struggle is temporary. I counted the cost coming into this experience. I know there is a way through it. And, as I said above, this vulnerability of isolation can become the means of strength and grace if I do the right thing in the middle of it. I am not there yet! However, I am seeing some light. As I have mulled over the reasons why I could have gone from feeling “at the top of the world”, spiritually speaking, to feeling at “the bottom of the heap” with little hope in sight, I remembered a verse I studied in depth years back.

12651145_10153178202305566_5402401550194090249_n

I have done exactly the same thing for which the Lord rebuked the Israelites. Jeremiah 2:13 says that they did two things – forsook the Lord, the fountain of living water AND they created their own faulty (leaky) means of storing water. Though what the Lord had to offer was so much purer and more refreshing they preferred what their own efforts could produce. They did not want to be dependent on the Lord. God is the fountain! God is life! If I am hanging my happiness and fulfillment on anything else – person, food, activity or thing, I am sure to be disappointed and, worse, to die! Nothing and no one but God was meant to carry that weight! All other sources of supply are faulty…leaky…unreliable…liable to stagnation and disappointment.

Which one of us would rather drink from a stagnant pond instead of a fresh, flowing fountain? Ridiculous question, right?!! But, oh! We do it all the time! I have been doing it! Instead of “flying to the fountain of Life” when I am thirsty, I have been sipping on murky water (trying to be happy in things and people). In my times of depression I have forgotten that the only One who can fully satisfy is Jesus. In my neediness I have looked to earthly sources of fulfillment and found them wanting because no thing and no earthly institution and no person can satisfy the longings of my heart but the Lord. I was created for happiness that is not of this world! I was meant for living water!

I am learning, once again, to cry out and run to the “fountain of living water.” If, in my darkest times, I run to Jesus instead of wallowing, my dark times will become to me the sweetest times because I will find that Jesus fulfills the desires of my heart in a way that earthly things were never meant to.

This is the real me…weak, unsteady and faltering, yet hopeful, not abandoned and not defeated. Please pray for us “real people!” We really need the Lord and the grace which He alone can supply, though He uses many means, including other people. We need your prayers to be informed by our real needs. Pray that we will never get so wrapped up in our activities that we forsake the fountain of living water and pray that we don’t rely on things that cannot satisfy. Pray that, in our weakness and vulnerability, we would be pleased to find our strength in Christ alone!

“I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.

On Christ, the Solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.”

Carol (Jacob) Lee