Through prayer we've witnessed God work in dusty consulates and immigration offices in the past, where He opened doors to extended our stay, offering us more time to share the gospel to this nation of 70 million with less than 1 percent following Jesus. Likewise we've seen answered prayer in ministry opportunities, financial hardship, health challenges, our children's and friend's lives, our marriage, traveling locally and even across the globe.
In various challenges, we give thanks, remembering Paul's request for prayer in 2 Cor. 1:8-11; "For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many."
While we have not experienced the magnitude of peril described here, we have endured detention, eight hours of interrogation with the threat of arrest and can confidently agree, this all makes us rely on God's ability and not on our own. If we believe He can raise the dead, should we fear the future? If we know He has resurrection power and is with us, for us, then we can face tomorrow without fear. We set our hope on Him.
So as we help make you aware of our hardships, needs and victories through our newsletters, we too ask that you help us by prayer so that many will give thanks and glory to God for the great blessings He brings when we are working and abiding in Him.
We thank God for you,
Tom and Angie Matthews
In various challenges, we give thanks, remembering Paul's request for prayer in 2 Cor. 1:8-11; "For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many."
While we have not experienced the magnitude of peril described here, we have endured detention, eight hours of interrogation with the threat of arrest and can confidently agree, this all makes us rely on God's ability and not on our own. If we believe He can raise the dead, should we fear the future? If we know He has resurrection power and is with us, for us, then we can face tomorrow without fear. We set our hope on Him.
So as we help make you aware of our hardships, needs and victories through our newsletters, we too ask that you help us by prayer so that many will give thanks and glory to God for the great blessings He brings when we are working and abiding in Him.
We thank God for you,
Tom and Angie Matthews