establishes
Loved ones in Christ, OUR Lord!
Thank you so much for walking with meand supporting me in this journey withLutheran Bible Translators! In my lastletter, I wrote that I was still waiting andpreparing to go to Nigeria to work inlanguage development among the Yalapeople. As I made these plans, I continuedto seek the Lord because He truly is theone who establishes my steps. I am bothgrieved and delighted to inform you thatmy plans have changed.
I am no longer going to Nigeria at this time.
CHANGE
In my last letter, I told you that the Africaorientation class I was going to take inGhana was canceled. After this mydeparture was postponed a couple timesdue to visa paperwork complications.During this time, I met a young mannamed Joshua Wagner, and we begancourting. Josh knew of my commitment toNigeria and LBT, and planned to wait forme to return in two and a half years.Partially due to my developing relationshipwith Josh, Iagaindiscussed the details of my assignment with LBT and my rolewithin the organization. My going is anincredible investment for LBT, me, themissionaries on the field, and supporters. Iwas asked to assure LBT of a long-termcommitment.I understand that the risk of sending a newmissionary who may not continue after afirst term is too great. After much prayerand counsel, I have not received peace forcommitting to more than one term at thistime. I hope to be in ministry my entirelife, but this seems to look different fromwhat I was expecting.
I have resigned from LBT,and I am seeking the Lord for the next step.
I grieve surrendering this dream for which Ihave been training for several years. Thisdoes not mean that I will not go in thefuture. It seems that God is saying, “Notnow.”I delight in the one who leads. His ways aregreater than mine, and I praise Him forconfirming this in my life. I am learningthat no matter how much I plan my life andcarry out those plans, He is truly the onewho establishes my steps. Not only has hechanged my plans, He has given me somuch joy in the midst of this change!
April 2009 | Issue 10
Praise
for God’s grace andfaithfulness in my life!
Praise
for the generous prayerand financial support of many.
Praise
for the wonderful 20months I’ve had as a missionarywith LBT.
Praise
for His leading throughthis difficult time of transition.
Praise
for my courtship with Joshua, a wonderful gift fromGod.
Pray
for guidance as I seek theLord for the next step in mylinguistic training.
Pray
for a job and a place forme to live.
Pray
for Josh and me as weseek His face and will together.
Pray
for LBT & those workingin Nigeria, especially theleaders within the Yalatranslation project.
Thank you for standingwith me in prayer!
but the Lord establishes his steps.
— Proverbs 16:9
plans
The heart of man plans his way,
prayerprayer praisepraise
grief & delight
JOSH & RUTHIEJOSH & RUTHIE
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