Dear friends,
We had hoped this summer update would be more light-hearted with references to World Cup football (the football played with feet, not hands), or the Heat Dome that covered Europe this week (it was over 80F in our house!), or simply prayer requests for our team as we prepare for CONNECT in just a few short weeks.
But before we go any further, we want to thank God for his protection over us. Early on the morning of June 12th, our home was burgled while we were asleep. It was a shock to wake up and find things missing – computers & tablets, backpack & purse, passports & drivers license, credit cards & cash, car keys, and yes, even the car! (Our vehicle has since been found by the police, and we are beginning the process of getting it repaired and registered for circulation again.) It was also perplexing as Dina remembered hearing noises but did not get up or wake up Blair as she usually would do. We see it now as the Lord protecting us.
So while we’ve gone through the gamut of emotions of 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down, we can confidently say we are not crushed, not despairing, not forsaken, and definitely not destroyed! And even better, we are resting in the PEACE of God regarding what happened and KNOW that He sustains us. These days, if we have a poor night’s sleep, it’s because of the heat and no longer because of the break-in. 🙂
While we may be limping along technologically for the moment (it appears Dina’s laptop is now somewhere in northern Algeria!), there have been so many small blessings that have contributed to our solace, our relief, and our inner peace:
- Many of you have sent notes of encouragement letting us know you were praying for us, and some of you wrote not even knowing what we were going through.
- Some colleagues had already loaned us their car in order to use it for CONNECT so we were not without a replacement vehicle for long.
- We had an unexpected financial gift soon after – another confirmation that God was taking care of us.
- We had opportunities to testify of God’s goodness and protection to the police, our landlord, and neighbors.
- As we already mentioned, our car has been found. We were preparing ourselves to go without a car for a while, so this was a huge answer to prayer. At first glance it appears there’s limited damage.
- We are still praying for a favorable settlement with the insurance company so we can have the vehicle repaired and get back on track with the work of preparing for the student training conference.
Thank you for praying for us. We know this kind of situation could have ended up much worse. Therefore, we have much for which to be grateful!
Enjoying a summer night walk at 10 pm
The work in North Africa
For the last six months or more, we’ve been working closely with an international church in North Africa to help grow students into proven disciples who could in turn disciple others. Pastors Shane and Mandy have been the driving force behind this move and graciously allowed us to do some online training with them and others who were wanting to go deeper in relationship with God and each other. Those weekly online sessions finished up in May, and we were in discussion concerning the next steps this fall toward the expansion of the student ministry in their city.
Shane and Mandy traveled back to the US at the beginning of June for some meetings, but just a few days later Shane passed away after suffering a heart attack….leaving so many people who loved him emoting as David did in Psalm 12:1: “Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone” (ESV). We watched his memorial service the night before the break-in to our home, and still grieve for the loss of our friend and the loss of so much that he gave to others on a daily basis. As a personal example, he and Mandy were with Caleb & Claire the day Lydia was born. Shane drove Caleb as they followed the ambulance to the capital city, and stayed with them for several days, waiting, praying, and singing :), until Lydia’s condition was stable.
Yes, we are sad and perplexed, but we do not despair. We know that the Lord will be faithful to continue the work he began through Shane. We’re not exactly sure what that will look like yet, but we trust God’s plan.
Please pray for Mandy and the many others who loved Shane. Thank you.
CONNECT
This annual summer training event will take place once again near Cologne, Germany at the end of July. We are feeling a little bit behind with the loss of our electronics, but so far we are able to get by with our phones and an old computer that the thieves overlooked (another blessing!). We are counting on grace from God to cover us and work supernaturally so that all the details will again fall into place as needed. Here are some other ways you can pray:
- For teachers as they prepare.
- For our planning and logistical teams.
- Travel. CONNECT participants come from all over Europe and the US so please pray that everyone arrives without delays or cancellations and in complete safety.
- Encounters with God, which is a principal reason we do this. Pray that everyone will have a life-changing encounter with God in order to be encouraged, equipped and empowered for the next academic year.
- Finally, we ask you to continue to pray for our SFC-Europe Guiding Group. As we continue passing on the baton of our leadership roles, there has been an unexpected change within the Guiding Group itself. We trust the Lord to provide everything SFC-Europe needs going forward.
Lydia
Here is a much-requested update on our granddaughter, Lydia. Following her open heart surgery at 3 days old, Lydia recently had her first follow-up visit with the surgeon and all is well! “Her heart looks great, the incision is healing well, her oxygen saturation is good, and she’s gained good weight.” We thank God for his continued healing of Lydia, and we thank you for your part in these answered prayers!
Blair was recently invited to pray over Francis, a friend who graduated with his Master’s degree from Continental Theological Seminary in Brussels.
Please know that your faithful support in prayer, encouragement, and finances has been a continual confirmation to us that God is truly here, among us – EMMANUEL. Through every trial – Lydia’s congenital heart defect and subsequent surgery, abruptly losing Pastor Shane, the break-in, and yes, even the two-month old water leak in our basement from the neighbor’s broken pipes – we know that we are not crushed, not despairing, not forsaken, and definitely not destroyed because He walks with us!
All for Jesus,
Blair & Dina
Ok, one last World Cup reference for our fellow Belgium fans.
As we persevere through these matches that have tested what’s left of the Belgium Golden Generation of World Cups Past, let us remember that we will always have Bel v Jap 2018. Enjoy.
