Forgivness Part II

Good morning. If you have not had a chance to read one of my first blogs in Uganda on forgiveness, this will not make sense to you. Please take a second and read it so you understand the context of this prayer request.

I just received this email this morning from Pastor Paul from Mawanga, Uganda.

"Hai daughter i need your prayers. the father of julius is planning seriosly to take me back to prison. i discovered on friday that i was by this time to be in prison,but praise God!!! Iam planning to go to higher office but idonot have money,so i humbly request you to support me financially.Things are not good with me.
i will write to you soon.
Paul"

One thing you must know about Pastor Paul is this: He Never outright asks for money. Ever. Our relationship has never been focused on financial benefits- he is truly my African Father and I have been blessed to be a true daughter in his family.

To get this email this morning has been a test of faith. JUST YESTERDAY I heard an entire sermon on forgiveness (seems to be a progressive spiritual lesson for me on this trip!) To be honest, I was sitting there as if I have conquered this topic back in June with the Julius situation. I thought, "Lord, nice sermon, but I already passed my test of Forgiveness!"

...but this test is far from over. And now comes the test of faith in prayer.

As I sit here in the World Vision office, I think of what the Pastor is going through. But if I have learned anything on this trip and living with Faith Mlay, I have learned that the strongest weapon we have as believers is prayer. So fellow soldiers, it is time to draw our swords and stand with him during this time. Let us Praise the Lord that he is not currently in prison, and pray in faith that he will never enter that place. And you know, if he does enter that place, let us have Faith that God is protecting him just as God was when Paul (of the New Testament) was in prison.

What I haven't mentioned is that late last week, Molly (a young woman I brought to the village with me last summer) emailed me Randomly. I had not heard from her in ages, and she wanted to let me know that there isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't think and pray for the village. She was supposed to be in Ghana all summer, but after she raised her support she didn't feel right about going. She said she knew she was supposed to give all of her financial support to....the village! The Lord was summoning her heart to give, not knowing the situation at ALL. THIS is how our God works!

Therefore, if finances are an issue, the Lord has already provided before our prayers left our lips. The root issue, however, is not finances. They can still throw pastor in prison; they can still continue to harass his family; they can still aim to distract pastor from serving the Lord. That is why I am summoning you to prayer.

I will keep you posted as I hear how your prayers are being answered.
Blessings,
kels