Strength Through the Night

This morning when I woke up, it was as if I was waking up in the middle of a deep conversation with G0d. I remember that I was talking to Him and that my heart was heavy. As I became more and more conscious and awake, that conversation continued. I found myself pouring out my heart and my concerns to G0d. There seemed to be many things on my heart on this 6th day of the c0up–a lot of uncertainties,thoughts about my friends and the struggles they face, and how the events here in M@li will effect the work G0d has asked us to do.  As I talked with him I was reminded of Psalm 63 and the confessions of David…his earnest search for G0d…his longing and thirsting after G0d…how he meditated on G0d through the night…how he would sing and cling to the One who helped him…his knowledge that he was in the strong grip of the One who held him securely. Then in my devotion this morning, the words of G0d continued to affirm that G0d’s guidance and instructions come to our hearts at night. Even in our sleep, our G0d is with us, attending to us, and strengthening us. He continually makes us aware of His Presence even in the peace of the night. Though I had many concerns on my heart when I woke up, my G0d had empowered me through the night and the early morning to walk through this day and time knowing …I will not be shaken for the L0rd is right beside me. It was a great start to the day, and it strengthened my confidence in the Sovereign L0rd of all creation!! He alone knows all, understands all, orchestrates all, and accomplishes all His plans and purposes!!

When I looked outside to see how the day was beginning in the neighborhood, we were back to a very quiet morning with not many people out and about and not many cars traveling the distance road. It was a holiday–Democracy Day–so people were not going to the market and not working. The day around our apartment was very quiet and peaceful all day.

Downtown today there was a march or demonstration against the c0up and its leaders. They were calling the c0up leaders to negotiate a rapid return to constitutional order and civilian rule. They presented themselves as a new political alliance. There were up to 2000 people there. Some left there to march toward the television/radio station. All that was done was peaceful and no violence was expressed.

Tomorrow is the day when all people are to return to their jobs and life is to return to normal. We received word from the embassy that we can go out of our homes during the day but are encouraged not to go beyond a 5 minute walk away. The airport will be opened from 8am – 1pm. We have been encouraged not to go into the downtown area yet. The situation is still very uncertain and we will continue to use wisdom as we take the next steps in this process.

Please pr@y for the following things:

• Possible meetings tomorrow between leaders the c0up leaders and those who will be negotiating the next steps with them
• Protection for those who venture out of their homes tomorrow
• Peace as people return to work and life as normal
• Wisdom for us all as we seek to know what G0d has planned for us and what He wants us to do next
• G0d’s intervention in the northern part of M@li
• G0d’s protection for the people of M@li from those who would come in to take away their freedoms
• G0d to pour out His Sp1r1t on the people and bring salvation and true peace 

Thank you for ALL the emails, skype messages, and personal touches you have shared with us!! Daily they encourage and strengthen us!!
We thank G0d for you all!