Hughes New #71

"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,

In our last prayer letter we mentioned Viola and Sarah’s new Romanian teacher.  “I” continues to ask them spiritual questions and Viola was particularly pleased with one conversation recently.  Would you pray with us that this lady would be saved?  As we also mentioned last time, the ladies still feel they are not progressing as they would like, due to the structure of the lessons.

Since you heard from us last we resumed English classes.  We have been pleased with the attendance in each of the classes and with the new acquaintances we have made through it.  Following the class time for adults and young people, David is teaching Bible lessons on words that relate to salvation (sin, faith, etc.)  One lady faithfully stays for the lessons.  We are praying more would stay.  Also we were granted permission to hold a Bible club at a children’s home.  We spend about an hour on Tuesdays singing songs, teaching them a Bible lesson and showing them love and attention.

 

Viola teaching the more advanced ESL students

At the end of September we were gone several days for a vacation.  We enjoyed the rest, the sights, the food, the slow schedule and, best of all, the time together.

 

Our vacation

We are planning a baptism for later this month.  One young person is set to follow the Lord in this.  We are concerned for “D,” a young lady who had been attending services.  She expressed interest in baptism, and we met to discuss the possibility.  Since then we have lost contact with her.  We suspect that something has happened, leaving her discouraged.

There are several kids who often knock on our door asking to play on our piano or to borrow my basketball.  Desiring to have spiritual influence with them, I’ve decided that when they come I’ll read a Bible story to them.  My hope is that they will enjoy the reading and that God will work in their hearts.

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes

For Prayer:

1. Upcoming baptism and young lady “D”

2. Viola and Sarah studying Romanian; their teacher “I”

3. The kids who visit us at home

For Praise:

1. Good spiritual conversations with “I”

2. Consistent attendance, more contacts through English lessons

3. Vacation/anniversary trip

Hughes News #70

"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,

In our last prayer letter we mentioned our upcoming team retreat.  The few days away gave us an opportunity to look back on the previous year, evaluate and pray for current ministries and make plans for the upcoming months.  We felt the time was very profitable for our team.

David and Stephanie Gross with their kids, Sarah Bodaly, and the two of us

Shortly after we arrived back in Soroca, we found out that Viola and Sarah’s Romanian teacher had moved to Chisinau.  It is a praise that they already have another teacher, but we would like to mention a couple prayer requests.  First, due to the structure of the lessons so far, the ladies don’t feel that they are progressing.  Our request would be that the structure could be change to aid the ladies in their learning.  Second, their teacher “I” has been very open to discuss spiritual things.  Would you take time to pray for the ladies to have wisdom in talking with her and for our Lord to work in her heart?

Next week we plan to resume teaching English.  This year we are going to try having one class for young people and adults on Tuesdays and another for kids on Thursdays.  Also on Tuesdays, David will be hosting a Bible club for neighborhood kids.  If we receive permission, we may duplicate the kids’ club program at a local children’s home (as we understand it, it is foster care in more of a group home setting).  With each of these ministries, we desire opportunities to point people to our Savior.

So far, the water company has said there is nothing they can do about the water main on our property.  They told me they would talk to the mayor’s office again and have an answer for me in a few days.  There is still an outside chance of starting on the foundation this year, but it is looking doubtful.

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes

For Prayer:

1. Viola and Sarah studying Romanian; their teacher “I”

2. English classes (Bible lesson following) and kids’ Bible club

3. Resolution of problem with the water main

For Praise:

1. A profitable team retreat

2. A new language teacher

3. Two new ladies at our services

Hughes News #69

"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,

Greetings from far-off Moldova!  Recently I have been thinking of Paul’s statement in II Corinthians of God’s grace being sufficient for him.  It has reminded me that God’s grace is already available to me.  Our hope is that our Savior will give you glimpses of His grace to encourage you on your earthly way.

We were pleased with our family evening activities, even though they were different than planned.  We had good weather and were able to hold them three of the four Friday evenings in June.  Our hope was that families would participate in the activities together.  The way it worked out, very few complete families came by.  However, several kids and a few adults stopped by to play the games, do the crafts or eat the snacks.  We were able to introduce ourselves to more individuals in the city, give out some Bibles and literature about the family and learn how better to run this type of activity in the future.

Crafts at our family activity

The Lord gave us two good weeks of VBS.  The first week we met at our coworkers’ home and invited children from their neighborhood.  We averaged 16 kids a day with 25 different kids coming throughout the week.  The kids listened so well during the Bible lessons.  The second week we met at our rental location in the city.  With having fewer contacts and it being our first VBS in the city, we really didn’t know how many would show up.  That week we averaged 12 kids a day, which included 20 different children.  The second week had a different dynamic as we had kids who knew only Russian or Romanian.  It was a blessing to see a couple of kids show up that we had met during our family activity, and to see one of the kids memorize the books of the Bible.

Games at VBS in Zăstîncă

Sword drills at VBS in Soroca

Next week our team will seclude ourselves and talk over plans for the upcoming twelve months.  Would you take a moment right now to pray for the Lord’s guidance as we make plans?  We are considering starting an ongoing children’s ministry to, in part, follow up with the kids who came to VBS. On a personal note, our construction permit is in hand, and a builder is ready to start on the foundation, but we have discovered a problem.  The city water main runs directly through our property, right where the house is to be.  Would you pray for resolution to this problem so that we could at least get the foundation done this fall?

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes

For Prayer:

1. Viola and Sarah studying Romanian

2. Ministry planning for upcoming months

3. Resolution of problem with the water main

For Praise:

1. Good results from our family evenings in the park

2. Two good weeks of Vacation Bible School

3. A helper for the month of July- Deanna, our coworker Sarah’s friend

A Praying Life: Chapters 31-32

(A few friends and I are reading this book together.  Each week we will read two chapters and on Friday I will post my comments from the reading.  Others may add their thoughts in the comments section.  If you are interested in reading this book as well, here is the link for the Kindle version of the book.)

Chapters 31-32
- "I'm actually managing my life through my daily prayer time."  (Pg. 256, Loc. 3258)  Often it is not his introducing an entirely new concept that stands out to me, but just a good choice of words.  I try to organize the tasks I have to do, but this was a reminder that time in prayer is the best way to manage the most important things in my life.

 

- "I'd prayed that my Father would show me what feeds a lack of faith in me."  (Pg. 258, Loc. 3281)  I noted this because I liked the idea of asking God to show me the same in my life.

 

- "As I pray, I'm dealing not with surface stuff, but with the state of my heart and of the people for whom I am praying."  (Pg. 260, Loc. 3300)  Too often so much of life is just about the surface things, but prayer allows me to dig deeper and look at the most truly meaningful aspects.

 

- "I'm not hunting for an experience with God; I'm inviting God into my life experience." (Pg. 260, Loc. 3300)  I find this important because I think a lot of people would say they are looking for an experience.  I want God in my life experience- to be part of all aspects of my life, and I see that I include Him when I pray about those areas of my life.

 

- "People are far too complicated; the world is far too evil; and my own heart is too off center to be able to love adequately without praying.  I need Jesus."  (Pg. 260, Loc. 3310)

 

- "We don't need a praying life because that is our duty.  That would wear thin quickly.  We need time to be with our Father every day because every day our hearts and the hearts of those around us are overgrown with weeds."  (Pg. 261, Loc 3319)  Just as I shower each day to get off that little bit (or a lot!) of grime from the previous day, I need that time with my Savior to clean up my heart and keep it focused on him.  May that daily attention keep the "weeds" from sending their roots deep into my heart.

 

I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapters 29-30

A Praying Life: Chapters 29-30

(A few friends and I are reading this book together.  Each week we will read two chapters and on Friday I will post my comments from the reading.  Others may add their thoughts in the comments section.  If you are interested in reading this book as well, here is the link for the Kindle version of the book.)

Chapters 29-30
- As with so many things, it is easy to go to one of two extremes: to either totally disassociate from all non-believers or to be so involved with unbelievers that our lives resemble theirs.  I like his perspective and his wording: "I began to pray that God would help me to love and enjoy non-Christians." (Pg. 240, Loc. 3014)  This would be good for me to pray as well.  Not to think, "I like so-and-so, but ..." but to simply enjoy them, praying that the Lord would use that friendship.

- He listed two ways Christians tend to error when referencing God speaking:

1. "Word Only" - Going wrong by not listening
2. "Spirit Only" - Going wrong by elevating human intuition

I think we as Baptists generally recognize the problem with the "Spirit Only" error.  If we are imbalanced, it is usually on the "Word Only" side.  From my perspective, this is due to our strong reliance on God's Word and our unwillingness to give into the errors in Charismatic theology.

- These were good thoughts to help keep us from the two errors: "To correctly discern when God is speaking to us, we need to keep the Word and Spirit together."  (Pg. 245, Loc. 3101)  "We need the sharp-edged, absolute character of the Word and the intuitive, personal leading of the Spirit.  The Word provided the structure, the vocabulary.  The Spirit personalizes it to our life."  (Pg. 245, Loc. 3106)

- "When life makes sense, it becomes a journey, a spiritual adventure.  Writing down the adventure as it happens gives us a feel for our place in the story God is weaving in our lives.  Journaling helps us to become aware of the journey."  (Pg. 250, Loc. 3149)  His explanation makes sense to me- it would be helpful to specifically take inventory of what God is doing in my life.  I think this is a good idea, I'm just not sure if I want to commit to doing this on a regular basis.  May just be unrealistic for the time being.

- "You can't walk with the Shepherd and not begin to change."  (Pg. 252, Loc. 3185)  This is a comfort to me.  When I am walking with Him, I can believe that He is changing me.

I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapters 27-28

Discussion on Chapters 31-32

A Praying Life: Chapters 27-28

(A few friends and I are reading this book together.  Each week we will read two chapters and on Friday I will post my comments from the reading.  Others may add their thoughts in the comments section.  If you are interested in reading this book as well, here is the link for the Kindle version of the book.)

Chapters 27-28

- I like his method of putting a Scripture verse on the card that matches his desire for that request.  (Pg. 225, Loc. 2849)  I want to incorporate that into my practice as well.

- In talking about a big request for Kim, he said, "I remember when I first wrote that, it felt strange, like I was opening a door that I didn't know existed."  (Pg. 229, Loc. 2890)  Through this I was challenged to ask God for big things- unimaginable things.

- I appreciated the detailed explanation of the prayer card system.  One aspect I like is the ability to easily reorganize the cards.  He said, "Some cards I pray through every day; others I rotate through, using one or two cards a day.  How many cards you use for a particular area depends on the shape of your life."  (Pg. 229, Loc. 2919)  The cards would help establish a regular pattern of prayer for a person/request, whether that be daily or every so many days, and it would take mental every day to stay organized.

- "I had assumed that his attitude toward me was like the blue sky, part of the backdrop of life that doesn't change.  I am constantly discovering areas of my life like this."  (Pg. 233, Loc. 2944)  Ouch.  There has to be areas in my life in which I assume things are unchangeable.  May the Lord point out those areas to me and help me see that he can change anything. 

- "My prayer for Bob had a familiar threefold pattern.  First, I wrote the prayer down.  Then I watched for God to work while I prayed.  Finally, God provided an opportunity where I 'worked' the prayer request.  By worked I mean that God involved me in my own prayers, often in a physical and humbling way."  (Pg. 236, Loc. 2958)  This was intriguing to me.  I want to pay attention and look for this pattern as well.

I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapters 25-26

Discussion on Chapters 29-30

Hughes News #68

"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,

Through the winter months our Sunday service usually consisted of just us and the Grosses.  Our Thursday meeting was not infrequently that same group.  I can’t pinpoint when it began to change, but since the first of May, we have had only one service in which only Americans were present.  Others attending has been a specific encouragement to me.  Although very few unbelievers have come (most have been professing believers), we still see areas of needed growth and encouragement in their spiritual lives.

Over the summer, we are taking a break from our English classes and outreach Bible study.  The first few months went well, and we are evaluating what changes to make once we resume.  Each Friday evening in June we will organize a time especially for families.  In a park near our city’s old fortress we will have games, crafts and snacks for families to enjoy together, as well as handouts with Biblical instruction on the family.  The final evening we plan to give out Bibles to those who are interested.  In July we will run two identical weeks of Bible school.  The first week will be held at David’s house with the children in his neighborhood and the second will be at our rental location in the city.  Would you pray for these summer ministries?

Large Jenga at our first family evening

A couple weeks ago we purchased a car from friends.  The vehicle will open up further ministry possibilities as well as streamline several things in our lives.  Much of what we spent on the purchase came from Christmas love offerings from our supporters.  Things are slowly moving forward with plans for our house.  It hasn’t happened yet, but I am anticipating a moment when the levee will break, and the flood of construction tasks will engulf us.  We would appreciate your prayer regarding progress in the construction and wisdom to give needed attention to our current ministry responsibilities.

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes

For Prayer:

1. Viola and Sarah studying Romanian

2. Ability to preach effectively in Russian

3. The Lord to use our services, family evenings, Vacation Bible Schools

For Praise:

1. Attendees at our services

2. Good start to our family evenings outreach

3. Purchase of a vehicle

A Praying Life: Chapters 25-26

(A few friends and I are reading this book together.  Each week we will read two chapters and on Friday I will post my comments from the reading.  Others may add their thoughts in the comments section.  If you are interested in reading this book as well, here is the link for the Kindle version of the book.)

Chapters 25-26

- "It [the kingdom] is so strange, so low; it is seldom recognized.  It looks like a mistake."  (Pg.  212, Loc. 2715)  The Jews did not see Jesus' kingdom because it didn't look the way they expected it to.  I wonder if I do the same- if I do not see His kingdom coming in my heart because I expect it to look like something else.  If so, may my perception change so that I will recognize His work more clearly.

- "So we pray to escape a gospel story, when that is the best gift the Father can give us."  (Pg. 213, Loc. 2733)  I can see how God works through what he describes as a "gospel story."  I struggle to see the difference between escaping such a story and wanting to see God answer prayer.  For instance, couldn't Kim's not speaking be considered a gospel story?  If we aren't to escape them, how do we ever pray for deliverance from troubles?  I'm trying to see how these things fit together.  If anyone else has thoughts on the matter, I'd appreciate your input.

- "The best place to pick up the unseen connections of our designer God is in disappointment and tension."  (Pg. 216, Loc. 2777)  Mental note: next time disappointment and tension come, may I be alert to look for the connections of my God!

- "Everything you do is connected to who you are as a person and, in turn, creates the person you are becoming.  Everything you do affects those you love."  (Pg. 217, Loc. 2785) 

- "The bottom line is we don't write down our prayer requests because we don't take prayer seriously."  (Pg. 221, Loc. 2804)  Ouch!!

- I have been really looking forward to the practical instruction in the book- the explanation of his prayer system.  I appreciated the following quotes that give a warning: "Systems can become rote, desensitizing us to God as a person" (Pg. 223, Loc. 2830), but don't let us pendulum swing too far: "All of us create systems with things that are important to us."  (Pg. 223, Loc. 2838)  I'm eager to learn more!

I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapters 23-24

Discussion on Chapters 27-28

A Praying Life: Chapters 23-24

(A few friends and I are reading this book together.  Each week we will read two chapters and on Friday I will post my comments from the reading.  Others may add their thoughts in the comments section.  If you are interested in reading this book as well, here is the link for the Kindle version of the book.)

Chapters 23-24

- "We don't like the messiness of unanswered prayer - or answers that are different from what we requested."  (Pg. 196, Loc. 2479)  The word "messiness" is a good description.  When God doesn't answer the way we expect/want, we wonder if He is answering no.  Should we continue praying or should we take His "no" and stop praying?  We can be tempted to wonder if something is wrong with God.  Is there something wrong with me?  Messiness.  I was helped by his description that prayer is not magic, that it would mean nothing if God answered immediately every one of our prayers.  I had not thought of it from that perspective.

- When talking about the answer to their prayer that Kim speak, he said it was "work, prayer, mistakes, frustration, more work, more prayer, breakthrough, work, prayer, and so on."  (Pg. 198, Loc. 2505)  He makes similar mentions a couple more times in these two chapters.  He describes prayer as God's weaving His story.  The author is helping me to see the interconnectedness of prayer with the other parts of my life.  I don't think I would have said prayer was completely separate, but his explanations have helped me to see that I have separated it to differing degrees in my practice.  Said otherwise, I'm seeing that the formula isn't always simply [Prayer + Waiting], but it can include many other things (repentance, working) that all impact each other.

- "Often when you think everything has gone wrong, it's just that you're in the middle of a story.  If you watch the stories God is weaving in your life, you, like Joseph, will begin to see the patterns."  (Pg. 203, Loc. 2596)  May God open my eyes to His weaving the details of my life!

- "We can dream big because God is big."  (Pg. 206, Loc. 2617)  Yes ... but my question resurfaces.  Earlier in the paragraph he discusses the reality of hope.  He uses Abraham and Sarah having a son, Joseph's brothers bowing before him and David receiving the kingdom as examples.  I'll repeat my mental speed bump- each of these had God's specific Word.  Am I to hope differently in areas in which I don't have His guarantee?

 

I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapters 21-22

Discussion on Chapters 25-26

A Praying Life: Chapters 21-22

(A few friends and I are reading this book together.  Each week we will read two chapters and on Friday I will post my comments from the reading.  Others may add their thoughts in the comments section.  If you are interested in reading this book as well, here is the link for the Kindle version of the book.)

Chapters 21-22

- I had said that I felt the previous two chapters were especially powerful.  These two chapters gave me a lot to chew on.  I agreed with a lot of what he said, I saw myself in some of the situations he described, and I found myself wanting to stop and think through the material.  I finished the chapters wishing for more help on how to live in the "desert."  I see the follies and failures of denial and despair, but I'm not sure what to do instead.

- "Abraham stakes his life on the hope line, but he never takes his eye off the reality line."  (Pg. 183, Loc. 2303)  I think this statement illustrates the difference I see between Abraham's problems and mine.  Abraham had God's specific promise.  Yes, his circumstances would have made it humanly difficult to believe what God had said, but he had God's promise.  Often I feel I'm in the desert without God's specific promise.  In other words, Abraham could "stake his life" on the hope line because God said the hope line would happen.  I struggle to know how much to stake on my hope line because I have no promise from God that the hope line will happen.  I can easily keep my eye on the reality line, but how do I interact with the hope line?  This has been an ongoing question in my mind that came up again when reading the above sentence.

- "The hardest part of being in the desert is that there is no way out.  You don't know when it will end.  There is no relief in sight."  (Pg. 183, Loc. 2311)  When a problem has a clear (or expected) end, I find it easier to prepare myself to tough it out.  When I can't see that end at all, it is much more difficult to remain motivated in the struggle.

- In describing what happens in the desert, the author said, "You cry out to God so long and so often that a channel begins to open up between you and God."  (Pg. 185, Loc. 2340)  When I step back and evaluate things, I need that channel to God more than I need exits from my deserts.

- I liked this: "If Jesus were a magic prayer machine, he'd have healed this woman's daughter instantly, and we would not have discovered her feisty, creative spirit.  Likewise, Jesus' ambiguity with us creates the space not only for him to emerge but us as well."  (Pg. 190, Loc. 2394)

- The thought of Jesus lingering "at the edge" of a situation was a help to me.  (Pg. 191, Loc. 2420)  It reassures me that He is there, even when I cannot discern Him.

I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapters 19-20

Discussion on Chapters 23-24

A Praying Life: Chapters 19-20

(A few friends and I are reading this book together.  Each week we will read two chapters and on Friday I will post my comments from the reading.  Others may add their thoughts in the comments section.  If you are interested in reading this book as well, here is the link for the Kindle version of the book.)

Chapters 19-20

- I thought these two chapters were especially powerful.  In talking about his daughter Emily, it helped me see practically how the principles he's been discussing fit into everyday life.  I found myself thinking, "Phew!  Good thing I'm not a parent, or he would be stepping all over my toes in these chapters!"  To those of you who are parents, I hope these chapters were a help to you.  Later, I realized that while other relationships are naturally different from the parent/child relationship, the principles can be applied.  Thus, I saw my need for these truths and couldn't just ignore them because I am not a parent. 

- "I prayed for little Emily because I couldn't get inside her heart."  (Pg. 165, Loc. 2089)  And I also can't get into the hearts of those around me.  This inability to get inside another's heart often results in me doing nothing.  I'm encouraged to strike at that inactivity and, instead, pray for those in whom I see a spiritual need.  

- "Because I was speaking to my heavenly Father about the potential drift of her heart, I could relax in the face of sin.  Prayer softened me." (Pg. 165, Loc. 2095)  I see that if a person's failures and sin bother me too much, it is likely due to me: 1) not praying adequately for him and 2) not truly trusting God to make the needed change in his heart.

- "Until we become convinced that we can't change our child's heart, we will not take prayer seriously."  (Pg. 169, Loc. 2130)  Again, applying it more broadly: until Jacob is convinced that he can't change another's heart, he will not take prayer seriously.  

- "I was also struck by the wisdom of God's five-year delay to our prayers for Emily."  (Pg. 176, Loc. 2230)  In many ways, I think I am naturally patient.  However, seeing the author's willingness to pray about the same area of his daughter's life for years revealed a lack of patience in my prayer life. I want, even expect God to answer in what I consider to be reasonable timing.  Honestly, I don't want to pray for an area in someone's life for five years that I feel God could accomplish it in a matter of weeks or months.  This again touches my trust in God to work and my willingness to see the big picture in people's lives.  I don't want to simply read these words, I want to incorporate them in my life!

I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapters 17-18

Discussion on Chapters 21-22

A Praying Life: Chapters 17-18

(A few friends and I are reading this book together.  Each week we will read two chapters and on Friday I will post my comments from the reading.  Others may add their thoughts in the comments section.  If you are interested in reading this book as well, here is the link for the Kindle version of the book.)

Chapters 17-18

- "Seldom do we pray seriously and thoughtfully for those we love as they deal with their besetting sins."  (Pg. 149, Loc. 1891)  He helped me see the need of "pointed" prayers- specifically those that are addressing concrete battles in others' lives.

- "We can't do battle with evil without letting God destroy the evil in us as well."  (Pg. 151, Loc. 1918)  Probably the biggest takeaway in these two chapters was for me to examine myself when I see others' sins or when others open up to me about their sins.  He talked about this further in the next chapter: "Instead of using your insights into other people's issues as a spiritual hammer, Jesus wants you to take these insights and deepen your own repentance."  (Pg. 159, Loc. 2034)  I want those circumstances to be catalysts for my repentance.

- I think he captured this well: "Repentance usually starts with a question, a slight uneasiness."  (Pg. 155, Loc. 1980)  If I would just learn to recognize that the uneasiness is coming from the Holy Spirit and deal with it as soon as possible!

- Years ago I was helped by something my brother-in-law would say: "Sin always complicates things."  I was reminded of that when reading this short paragraph: "Sin is complicated.  We are never a passive observer, dispensing wisdom and justice.  We are part of the mess.  My solution to the problem made it more complex.  That's why we can't afford to do anything on our own."  (Pg. 156, Loc. 1989)

- "Because I acted on my own, independent of my heavenly Father, my words by themselves had to do all the work."  (Pg. 156, Loc. 1989)  I think we are all problem solvers, to some degree.  We want change to happen and we want to help in the process.  I thought his possible scenario with the software disc was really good- he was not so dependent upon God that he didn't say anything to his son.  Instead, he made sure that he looked to God first, and spoke later in a controlled manner.  Sometimes they way people talk, I get the impression they think being dependent on God means doing absolutely nothing.  The author's scenario (in my opinion) had a good balance of dependence yet acceptance of responsibility (role as a father).

I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapters 15-16

Discussion on Chapters 19-20

A Praying Life: Chapters 15-16

(A few friends and I are reading this book together.  Each week we will read two chapters and on Friday I will post my comments from the reading.  Others may add their thoughts in the comments section.  If you are interested in reading this book as well, here is the link for the Kindle version of the book.)

Chapters 15-16

- Before reading these chapters, I hadn't viewed James' words about asking as two extremes or "cliffs" as he called them.  More and more I see that it is easier for me to go to an extreme (in many areas) rather than finding a middle position that incorporates both truths.  On this particular subject, I find my tendency is to not ask because it may be selfish or I don't want to be let down by a "no" to my prayers.  

- It was convicting to read "our failure or reluctance to ask keeps us distant from God."  (Pg. 134, Loc. 1722)

- "Deep down, we just don't believe God is as generous as he keeps saying he is."  (Pg. 134, Loc. 1731)  Why is that?  Why can we so readily accept some truths we read in Scripture, but we can balk at/dismiss others?  May my perspective of God's generousness come from what He has said and not from what I think I have experienced!

- They highlighted this in the book, but I think it deserves to be noted again: " 'Asking in Jesus' name' isn't another thing I have to get right so my prayers are perfect.  It is one more gift of God because my prayers are so imperfect."  (Pg. 135, Loc. 1740)

- I appreciated his encouragement to ask God heart questions when asking Him for material things.  (Pg. 142, Loc. 1825)

- It was surprising to me to read "We need to ask the body of Christ, Jesus' physical presence on earth, the same questions we ask God."  (Pg. 143, Loc. 1833)  On one hand, I see the practical value of involving others.  I have seen that just trying to explain something clearly to another helps me work through things in my own mind.  Also, as the author pointed out, my heart can be so deceitful that I can pray and then manipulate things so they seem to be the answer I wanted.  On the other hand, I wonder how far he would extend this.  I was left wondering when to include others and ask them the questions, and when to simply address them to God.

I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapters 13-14

Discussion on Chapters 17-18

Hughes News #67

"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,

Viola made it back from Canada the 16th of March.  She was there just over two weeks helping her brother’s family while his wife recovered from surgery.  Viola kept busy being aunt, housekeeper, nanny and cook for seven kids.  We are thankful the timing of things here allowed her to go- she hadn’t seen her brother’s family for 4½ years and she met the youngest four kids for the first time. 

 

Viola with brother Paul J., sister-in-law Loretta, and the kiddos

God’s leading was evident in the circumstances of Sarah’s arrival.  She has settled in, applied for residency and begun studying Romanian.  Her language study has afforded Viola the opportunity to also attend the tutoring sessions.

The last few weeks we have bumped into four boys several times.  Three times they have sat through most of a Bible study.  Several times we have talked to them on the street.  Often they hang out near a bus stop asking for money and generally being somewhat of a nuisance.  From our perspective, there is not much adult guidance in their lives.  Could you take a moment right now to pray for these four boys?  Would you please pray for us as well?  I see a need for us to love them, but to also be firm with them.  It would be easier to just do one without the other, but I believe our Lord would have us do both.

In previous updates, I have listed “wisdom to balance ministry and long-term housing plans” as a prayer request.  In December we purchased two small plots of land in a newly developing section of the city.  Right now we are working on getting the construction permit and architectural plans.  Our goal is to have the house roughed in by late September.  This is another area in which we would appreciate your prayers.

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes

For Prayer:

1. The Lord to use our services, classes and studies

2. Viola and Sarah studying Romanian

3. Our attempt to minister to S., K., E. and I. (the four boys)

For Praise:

1. Viola’s return from Canada

2. God arranging details of Sarah’s arrival

3. Relationships in the city continuing to grow

A Praying Life: Chapters 13-14

(A few friends and I are reading this book together.  Each week we will read two chapters and on Friday I will post my comments from the reading.  Others may add their thoughts in the comments section.  If you are interested in reading this book as well, here is the link for the Kindle version of the book.)

Chapters 13-14
- The reminder that God is both infinite and personal is a good reminder.  Each of those facts I would readily accept, but seeing how amazing they are when put together was helpful for me to think about.

- "Little children are not daunted by the size of their parents.  They come, regardless."  (Pg. 115, Loc. 1475)  There is no reason for me not to come.  I want my first reaction to be looking to my Father and talking to Him- in any situation that comes.

- I appreciated the author's mom's question of "How else would you find a parking place?" (Pg. 119, Loc. 1500)  It seems that behind those words is an understanding that everything is done through prayer.  I see in those words a dependence upon God for everything in life.

- "If we ask nothing of God, we are left adrift in an evil world."  (Pg. 122, Loc. 1544)  If there are areas that I am separating from God's touch, so to speak, I want to identify those areas and seek Him in even the ordinary things of life.

- "Jesus neither suppresses his feelings nor lets them master him."  (Pg. 123, Loc. 1561)

Obviously- another good lesson for me.

- "We simply cannot see the causal connections between our prayers and what happens." (Pg. 127, Loc. 1630)  If I just look at God and acknowledge Him, I'm doing ok.  However, when I try to see how things work together, I get out on a limb because there is no way for me to put everything together to see how it happened.  I will either overlook some actions, misunderstand others, or both.  I need no other deep explanation other than: God answered prayer.

I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapters 11-12

Discussion on Chapters 15-16

Hughes News #66

"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,

Nearly every week we have had first time visitors to our English class.  We are grateful for the additional contacts the Lord has provided through these lessons.  While most who have come are beginners, there are enough intermediate students that a separate group now meets at the same time in the smaller of our two rented rooms.  Last month we had two visitors to our Sunday services.  One man “N,” we met months ago while going door to door.  The other man saw our sign, came in during our service and stayed until the end.

About two weeks ago we received an email from Viola’s brother Paul J., a missionary in northern Canada.  Our sister-in-law Loretta was in the hospital and he was inquiring whether Viola could come help with the housework and their seven children (oldest is eight).  We talked to our Father about it and began looking for tickets.  That night we purchased tickets and the next day Viola departed.  Despite making the purchase last-minute, the Lord provided tickets at a very reasonable price.  Loretta needed surgery but is now home recovering.  Viola’s return flight is scheduled for next week but we will be seeking the Lord regarding whether she should stay longer.  The doctors would like Loretta to not do much for several weeks.  Viola probably will not stay the entire time the doctors are suggesting, but her staying longer will allow Loretta to ease back into things more gradually.

From our perspective, March is shaping up to be an unusually busy month.  Our coworkers should have their baby (the international hospital is 2.5 hours away and Stephanie is on bed rest- next week they will go to the capital and stay there until baby decides to come), the upstairs on their house should be finished, Viola will be gone for at least another week, and our new coworker Sarah should arrive and begin the process of applying to receive her residency permit.  We always need God’s grace, but we are more aware of our need this month.  Would you please take a moment to pray now for the requests below?

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes

For Prayer:

1. Sister-in-law Loretta as she recovers; Viola as she helps there

2. God’s grace to navigate an eventful month

3. Wisdom to balance ministry and long-term housing plans

For Praise:

1. A sign for our meeting place

2. Gross family should have their baby this month (also prayer!)

3. Sarah Bodaly to arrive March 16 (also prayer!)