As we write this blog update the snow is gently falling outside, blanketing our downtown community with a fresh layer of new snow. Until a few weeks ago the winter weather was pretty mild, but all that has changed! In the past ten days we've had three winter storms, and the snow is piling high enough on the sides of our driveway for the boys to dig snow tunnels. Our boys love the snow and welcome the sudden arrival of winter. Mom and Dad, however, are trying to figure out how we can plan a visit to see April's family in Southwest Florida!
We want to remind you that before we write out our January prayer requests, look at how the Lord (quite miraculously) answered your recent prayers for our friends in India (Suresh and Latha and their children)! Some of you wrote us and said you would pray daily -- constantly -- for this family, and we knew you were because you wrote often asking for updates. Meanwhile, the Lord was doing something wonderful for this family -- something impossible -- in response to your prayers. Not only were they protected from harm during this trial, but their names were soon cleared of all lies and they received a massive police escort back to their home. That is a miracle! Now, please continue to pray for this family and their ministry. Pray with the fervency you did before -- and pray that their ministry will only flourish more than before all this happened and that there will be a great harvest of souls in South India. Prayer makes a difference!
Please continue to pray for the Floradale church plant near downtown Mississauga. Jeremy recently purchased a few more boxes of Bibles to hand out on the sidewalks in hopes of connecting with some people. He may also try going door to door, asking people how he can pray for them. We realize this seems crazy, and some of you may argue that such a strategy is ineffective in North America, but remember we are not trying to reach postmodern North Americans. This community is predominately Asian and African and we are most concerned about reaching non-Christians who are genuinely searching for the Truth. We are praying we will connect with people who are from unreached people groups who are discontent with false religion (or just religion) and who are desperate for The One who will bring authentic transformation into their lives. We call these people "persons of peace" (based on Luke 10). We are willing to take risks and look like fools (if necessary) in order to find these individuals and their families. We also realize that this is a terrible time of the year to try and connect with people on the sidewalks or on front porches -- or wherever it is that the frigid winter winds blow, but the fact is we're desperate and we believe God is leading us to go forward with this plan anyway. Who knows -- maybe God will confound the wise and do something amazing through this?
We have arranged a community Bible study that will begin on Tuesday evenings (starting February 1) in the local school building near the park. We got the teacher's staff room for only $4 per hour -- pretty cheap rent! Pray now that the Lord will provide 1) a ministry team to help move this forward, 2) more commitment and enthusiasm from the mother church, and 3) the development of a core group of new believers from the community. We have already invested a lot of money, time, and energy into this plant with little visible fruit to report. At times we feel very discouraged and alone in this particular task. We believe your prayers will help make a difference.
The after-school kids Bible club (we don't have a catchy name for this yet -- all the kids simply call it "bible club") continues to go well. The kids are very attentive and have tons of questions. Continue to pray for the Muslim family that lives next to us. We're praying that a few of you would be willing to pray DAILY for this family! If you are serious about this then please write and let us know and we'll give you more details about them and how to pray more specifically.
Please continue to pray for Jeremy's health. The doctor said he cannot get the drug he needs (Oxamniquine) because it just isn't available in North America. He is now talking with experts at the Tropical Disease Center in Atlanta to see what other treatment options are available. Jeremy's pain has steadily increased over the past month, but still nothing like it was before. Still, it is horrible to know that these parasites continue to live and thrive in his body causing more damage. It's the damage they're doing (or have already done) that concerns us most because it could lead to other diseases and chronic issues. Please continue to pray for his healing and for answers. As you already know, this has been a real trial in our lives and we desperately want it to end. Please pray for April's health as well. We continue to wait for answers concerning her Anemia -- please pray it is nothing serious.
We have some other very exciting ministry opportunities on the horizon, but cannot share any details at this time. We just ask that you pray for God's provision and that all the pieces come together in God's time. It has to do with a dream we've had for a long time, and it seems like the Lord is finally putting some things in place for that to happen. He is faithful! We hope to report much more next time we update the blog.
In His Grip,
The Langley Family
1 comment:
Your point about going door to door is a good one. It may not work for most "North Americans" but if you are going to target those from the many other nations that are flooding in, then different strategies may be in order. Although it is harder to meet people in the winter, it may be this very fact that could make winter such a key strategic time. I know that for many immigrants, especially those from places that are far more community minded and less independence minded than North America, they long for community but find it hard to connect. Couple this with our hibernation tendencies during winter and I imagine that they feel the isolation quite acutely. Add the bitter cold into the mix and I can only imagine how hard it would be for a newer family to the country to find their place and feel welcome. Someone coming to them to ask how they might pray for them could be such an amazing opportunity.
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