When I first saw this picture in March, it reminded me that the "enemy prowls around looking for someone to destroy." Another thought that came to mind was sometimes when we are looking so intently for something we don't stop to look backward to see if it is behind us.
My greatest thought about this picture is that we should not fail to look back at where we have come and reflect upon the things that we have learned good and bad in order to grow and become more mature in life and ministry.
This Sunday was one of those times for us. Church planting is not easy. It takes time, patience, a great amount of prayer, and reliance upon the Lord to move in the hearts of nationals to continue the work. There is a village near our home called Yosali. Four years ago, we began evangelism in this village, a man of peace was found, and a church was planted. The members were baptized and they were meeting on a weekly basis. Kendall spent many days teaching Bible Study there and the believers were growing. Throughout the time that was spent there difficulties were abundant. Drunkeness, smoking marijuana, prostitution, adultery, and thieves were just a few of the problems. We prayed for sick babies, transported people to the hospital, met with families that were in turmoil, prayed for the demon possessed, and loved them in abundance. Every team that has come from America has spent time with this church and in its village. We have invested so much time into the hearts of the people at Ukhose. As we drove to church on Sunday, we passed Ukhose and the church had been burned down. We found out that it was not by accident either.
It was saddening, hurtful, frustrating, upsetting, made Kendall quite angry, and most of all we felt like we had failed. For most of the day, Kendall beat himself up about it because of the amount of time that he has put into Ukhose and felt like he had wasted time and there were other areas that needed his attention. He began to understand a little bit more how frustrated Paul was with the Corinthians in their floundering. We also began to understand at a deeper level "And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." Mark 6:11 The people of Ukhose have heard the Gospel for 4 years. They have rejected the Gospel and given themselves over to their fleshly desires.
Is it easy to leave them? No. Does it feel like all of it was for naught? Yes. Do we believe it was for naught? No. Church planting is hard. Will we ever look at another missionary and think less of him for having a church die? No. God is in control of all things, we just have to be ready to follow Him and share the Gospel wherever and whenever. For some reason, Ukhose did not survive. Will we continue to pray for the people there? YES! They need prayer. The darkness in that village is rampant. Do we think that God is too small not to revive the hearts of the people at Ukhose and revive a church? NO! That is our prayer!
Looking back is not always easy. Admitting that a church has died, is not easy, but it is honest. It happens. But looking back and knowing that Kendall was obedient to God is one of the greatest things that we can use to look forward and press on. Sunday was a hard day, as a wife, it was hard to see my husband so frustrated and down. Satan wanted him to feel defeated by the darkness that surrounds us, but Kendall knows that God is in control. In the depths of his heart, I know that Kendall wants those people to KNOW, LOVE, and LIFE FOR CHRIST! That is his earnest plea to the Lord. We are still growing, learning and never failing to look back at what God has done and looking forward to what He WILL do!
"Finally, brother, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,.....For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish and guard you against the evil one." 2 Thessalonians 3:1, 2b-3
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