More often than I'd like there is a time where I feel like things are too much here, or I can't balance all the responsibilities on our plate- this might be a passing feeling, or a mind set of the day. To be honest, it has just been a big adjustment to move here, and there are definitely high's and low's in motivation and determination to push through. But I think these are probably feelings that everybody feels from time to time in where the Lord has them, whether they let the feelings linger or not, that is up to us responding to the Holy Spirit shining truth into our hearts. Don't get me wrong, we feel privileged to be serving in this way, there are just times of challenge or feeling overwhelmed.
But an encouragement to me lately has been a new Bible study I started with a couple fellow missionaries here. We are going through 2 Corinthians, and in the very beginning Paul speaks of a time in his ministry where he is "overwhelmed beyond his ability to endure." He continued to say that in result to this situation, "We stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead" (2 Cor. 1:9). What an encouragement to remember that when we are at the end of ourselves, that is actually the place that God can really work. It is not a place to feel defeated, or that we need to "pull ourselves up by our boot straps." But a time to rejoice in the fact that our Lord is able, that He is faithful, and that we can rely on Him- a much better option than relying on ourselves.
And a verse I wanted to share that closes this section is verse 11:
And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.
Thank you for your faithful prayers, and your dependence on God with us in this work to reach the lost- it is only by His strength.
Andrew & Megan Smith
Prayer Requests:
1. Health- this weekend Andrew and I have gotten a bit of a cold. Please pray that we'll get over this quickly so we can be at full health for our culture and language studies, and also that the kids won't get it.
2. Tribal visit- please continue to pray for the upcoming trip to the tribe that Andrew will be taking with 3 other missionaries to survey a new area. We are excited that things are moving ahead with the trip, but there's still a lot involved!
3. Focus in study- please continue to pray for us to be diligent in our culture and language study, and to be creative and motivated to just get out the door and continue to build relationships. It can be draining over time, and we know we need to rely on the strength of the Lord and the leading of His Spirit for perseverance!
Praise:
1. It looks like dates are basically nailed down for Andrew's trip to the tribe! This is a big deal, since a challenge in this culture is to nail down specific times with people. So the woman who has been a contact for visiting this tribe said that end of October works best, and right now they are just planning which dates they will purchase plane tickets at the best rate- praise God!
2. Family fun- yesterday we got to enjoy an attraction of Manila- the Manila Ocean Park! The kids had a great time seeing a sea lion show, having lunch on the bay, and then looking through all the different displays of fish, sting rays, jelly fish, sharks and more (Kaden's favorite was definitely the sharks!). And we had fun just enjoying the kids excitement- it has been a real blessing to see Brenna grow and be able to enjoy more things, and she had a great time running around the aquarium (yes, she is very much on the move now!), and interacting with different kids and exhibits there along with her brother.