December 19
Philemon preached from II Corinthians 4:1-6 in chapel last week. “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart…” Encouraging himself (and me) and allowing others to listen in, he explained that “…we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bondservants…” We do not lose hope, and the reason is as big as God’s mercy, as bright as all God’s promises.
We have never been busier. We have never tackled this many difficult issues. We have never felt such heartache, and to some extent, disappointment, in our lives. In the same breath, we have never felt more satisfied and content in God’s will and in our calling.
These are some ways you can pray for us in these days:
1.) Pray for stamina this semester, until some relief in the teaching load arrives in the form of more teachers in January.
2.) Pray for Philemon as he continues to learn his new job as Academic Dean.
3.) Pray for continued joy and confidence in our Savior, who in his mercy has given us this ministry. Pray that the logical flow of the Word of God will be true in our lives, and that we will not lose hope.
4.) Thank God with us that students are learning in and out of the classroom; pray that we are godly examples to them in all we do and say. Each incoming class has a distinct personality, and this year’s frosh as a group are humble, bright, enthusiastic, and eager to learn. Another reason not to lose hope!
5.) Pray that our annual missionary conference in January will be a time of refreshment for us and for all our expatriate co-workers. We are in charge of planning the program, and we’ll have the privilege of “sitting under the feet of” (as they say here) Dr. Tom Schreiner.
6.) There are several discipline cases in progress on campus, for conduct not befitting a Christian. Pray for those under discipline, and for those having to judge these cases.
Thanks for all you do!
Much love,
the Yongs
