Monday, March 16, 2015

March 2015 Prayer Letter


Dear Praying Friends,

Thank you for praying for our family as Elijah and I traveled to Zambia over the last month.  We had a great trip and Preetika enjoyed a refreshing time while we were away. As I write this, both Elijah and I are still slowly getting over jet lag. We are, however, rejoicing in the blessings of the last 3 weeks.


First, Elijah was able to gain the approval to receive US citizenship. This is a tremendous answer to prayer as it will allow us to travel (back to Zambia) once the Lord restores Preetika’s health without restrictions. Elijah did not quite grasp the importance of this and had his heart set on a “green card.” It was all I could do to keep him from asking the officials for a green card instead of complete US citizenship! When we returned to America, his mother had a green card waiting for him!

In addition, Preetika has been greatly encouraged over the last month. Not only did she benefit from some extra time with the Lord lately, but we also received some unexpected direction in regards to her health situation. Two incidents, in particular, have greatly bolstered our spirits. During our days in Zambia, we met a missionary colleague (from another part of Zambia and previously unknown to us). As we chatted about Preetika’s condition, I was surprised to find that this missionary had a medical background and had come across similar symptoms over her more than 20 years in Zambia. She suggested we look into parasites as being a possible cause of Preetika’s problems. We have been recommended to a doctor who specializes in such things here in Southern California. We have an appointment on Wednesday, March 11. In addition to this development, we saw a “minor miracle” (especially for Africa!) in regards to Preetika’s biopsy done in May 2014 in Zambia. As we have mentioned this procedure performed at the beginning of this ordeal, several doctors in America had wondered aloud if the slide from the biopsy might be available to run further tests on. I was quite skeptical that the slide would be able to be found. While in Lusaka, I asked the doctor about the slide. He was also dubious that the lab would have held onto it, but thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask. Two days later I had the slide in my hand. We trust that both of these developments will prove to be a help in getting Preetika well. Please continue to pray for my wife and her health.


 
It has also been my extreme pleasure to be able to work among the Zambian believers this past month. To be on the field, among the people to whom the LORD has called me is always a tremendous blessing. During the few weeks there, I was privileged to meet a new neighbor of mine named Ernest. He had come to Livingstone from a distant part of Zambia to find work just 2 weeks prior to my arrival. On our second day in Zambia, Elijah and I went out soul winning with some men from our church in the neighborhood near my house. Ernest was so open to hearing the gospel of Christ that he invited us to sit down in his house and share about Jesus with him. He trusted Christ that day and was in church the next Sunday.
A week later he had a man from our church come back and witness to his sister about salvation in Christ Since then, he has attended every service and Bible study held by our church. He is about to begin being discipled and is planning to be baptized soon. (Once the water cooperates… Please pray for the city water at our church. It has been an ongoing problem to get consistent water to our property.) Ernest is hoping to bring his wife and the rest of his children to join him and his seven-year-old son in Livingstone. We are praying that the Lord will allow the entire family to be together and that the hearts of the rest of the family will be open to following Jesus as well.

We are so grateful to you all who have stood with us in support and prayer these last several months. You have encouraged us to trust God’s purpose even when we cannot see it.

February 2015 Prayer Letter


Dear Praying Friends,

I want to start off this quick update by thanking you all for your faithful prayers and support for our family. While the cause for Preetika’s health issues are still undetermined, we are making steady (if not quick) progress. She recently had an EMG and nerve conduction test performed, and we expect the results in a couple of weeks. We praise the LORD that the test was able to be moved up o before I left for Zambia so that I was able to be with Preetika while the test was conducted.

In addition to ongoing prayer for Preetika’s health, we are asking that you pray for Elijah and me as we travel tomorrow to Zambia. We will be in Zambia for three weeks to accomplish two main goals. First, I want to be able to get a feel for how things are going in the ministry. I hope to encourage those who are serving in the ministry to keep on going for the LORD! I also look forward to being able to preach, teach and share Jesus with many Africans while I am there. Secondly, and the reason that Elijah is accompanying me, we must attend an interview at the US embassy concerning Elijah’s US citizenship. We are praying for wisdom and favor in these two endeavors. Over the last several months we have been sending funds for the work in Zambia, but it will be good to be on the ground putting our “shoulder to the plough” in the harvest field.

Finally, I would like to share a story about a mailman named Ariel that I recently met in California. I had the opportunity to talk to him about salvation in Jesus and he claimed that he has lately been seeking for something in his life. Truly that is an answer to prayer as I often pray for the LORD to lead me to people who are seeking. The Bible says in Jeremiah 29: 13, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Please pray for Ariel that he will keep searching until he understands and trusts in Jesus with all his heart.

Over the next 3 weeks, my wife will be able to be reached on our cell phone (951-376-0510), while I can be reached at jpwarner@hotmail.com.

 

Thanks again for your friendship and support.