“Those who love your law have great peace and nothing causes them to stumble.”
Psalm 119:165 (NASB)
Nothing means nothing in the verse above. It doesn’t say, “Nothing, except inflation and unrest in the nations in the world, causes them to stumble.” There’s nothing this world throws at us that’s worth being afraid of.
That sounds like an impossible statement, but it is not impossible to be fearless. There is a natural fear that sometimes serves us. For example, if we walk a little too close to the edge of a cliff, fear keeps us from falling. I hope you listen to that fear!
But there’s another kind of fear that we must master, and that is the fear that rises in our hearts when things are going on in life that try to pull us off course of trusting God. When events outside our control occur, it’s our job to focus our hearts on God and His Word. The news, rumors, and human opinions can pull us away from God, which is a dangerous place to be. We can’t ignore what’s surrounding us in the world. But we would do well to view everything through the lens of God’s Word. Circumstances change. Headlines come and go. Human opinions rise and fall. But God remains faithful.
Ebola in DRC and Uganda
Many of you have asked about the Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda and how it may affect the work. We thought it would be helpful to provide an update so that you can stand with us in prayer.
The current outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda is caused by a strain of the virus for which there is no approved vaccine. As of the writing of this newsletter, there have been 378 confirmed cases and 63 confirmed deaths. Due to the difficult security situation in parts of the region, it is possible the outbreak has been ongoing longer and affected more people than official figures indicate.
The outbreak remains far from Lubumbashi, DRC, where we have two churches. However, a few confirmed cases have been reported in South Kivu, which borders Burundi. This is significant because our churches and community outreaches, including the Hope Center, New Hope Academy, and Anna’s House, are in Gatumba, near the border with Uvira in South Kivu. Burundi remains on high alert, and authorities recognize the seriousness of the threat. We are grateful for the measures being taken to monitor and contain the virus.
While we are taking the situation seriously, we are also choosing to trust God rather than fear. Please join us in praying for the containment of the outbreak, the protection of those serving on the front lines, and the health and safety of the communities we serve.
Family News and Looking Ahead
This month, on June 15, our daughter Andreya will graduate from high school. When we decided to relocate to South Africa in pursuit of a better education for her, we did not know exactly what the future would hold. It was a season marked by uncertainty, but also one that required us to trust God. Looking back now, we can see what happens when we refuse to let fear make our decisions. We are grateful for the opportunities God has provided and for His faithfulness every step of the way.
Together with her siblings, we are very proud of Andreya and her accomplishments. She has been accepted into Emeris University in Pretoria, where she will be studying law.
Later this month, we will also be traveling to the United States and look forward to seeing as many of you as possible. In addition, keep an eye on your inbox for a special update about a long-awaited project that is very close to our hearts.
Thank you again for your love, prayers, and partnership,
Jamie, Lea, and the new graduate, Andreya
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