We press on - here or in Papua!

Trevor Johnson is a missionary in Papua, Indonesia. Lately, he's gone through mud and storms, experienced a car accident, drunks with machetes surrounding his vehicle, and someone trying to extort money from him.

Here's an article regarding the Johnsons when they were leaving to go to the mission field.

And here's Trevor's blog.

I was reading a report from Trevor today, and was encouraged by his closing remarks, which I will quote below:

Summary: I could not hope for better blessings upon the work here. The Lord is allowing me, though it is a strain in time, money and energy at times, to support 3 broad ministry efforts: (1) Team Asih Pamitran in West Java, (2) The Fuau Project in the Mamberamo, and (3) The Korowai project, and the Lord is giving fruit in all areas. Personally, however, we are tired this month and have had many irritations here. So pray that the Lord give us sustaining grace. The door seems to have shut for two weeks for any interior ministries, however, and maybe this is a providential time to rest up a bit. We had better take it.

Final Thought: Why am I so busy? Because I feel an urgency for the work here. Also, because I never know what the Lord will bless.

Ecclesiastes was the first book of the Bible I ever read all the way through. In chapter 11 I receive this “encouragement”:

Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.

If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.

..In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.

What does this mean? Here is a paraphrase:

Invest broadly and try many good things. Be a blessing to others, for our lives are short and this could be your last night. If you are always watching for signs and gazing at the weather you will never jump in and work. Instead, plant in the morning and plant at night too. Keep busy, you never know what the Lord will bless...Just maybe, He will bless it all!

We took Trevor's advice today, working hard to prepare for an assessment. Rick also pressed on, picking up more work at some small, independent stores. We are keeping busy, never knowing what the Lord will bless. Just maybe, He will bless it all!