Touched By Grace - Newsletter

You Shall Go Out With Joy

As I write this newsletter Todd is in Ukraine ministering to the people there. His transfer from Israel to Ukraine was smooth and he had safety everywhere he went. Todd told me in a conversation that there were already two decisions to follow Christ the first day they were there and two more on Saturday when they were at the medical clinic! The children and I pray every day that the Lord would order Todd and Marilyn's steps and that the Word of the Lord would go forth to the people they meet. I thank you for partnering with us in this prayer. Remember them in prayer as they travel back to Israel and the US on Wednesday.

I am thankful that Todd was able to go out with joy (Isaiah 55:12) on this trip. We are also claiming this verse as we prepare to leave the land we love. This verse was given to us about a week after we felt the Lord telling us to return a little earlier than we anticipated. It was confirmation to us that we were doing the right thing. A man we had never met attended a worship time we were hosting in the home where we are staying. He began speaking verses from Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near and Isaiah 55:12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. He continued by saying that he saw angels dancing around us and that we will leave in peace. He said the Lord is showing him that we are praying and the Lord hears our prayers and will answer them. He also said he saw that we have many people praying for us; a family that is covering us and interceding for us and then looked at us and asked, "Are you leaving Israel soon?" (remember, he had never met us). Todd and I knew in our hearts that this was the Word from the Lord we needed.

It is never easy to leave a place we love so dearly, but when the Lord says it is time to move on, we must obey. It is time to return to our friends and family in the States and share what we have learned during our time away. Our faith has been strengthened because we have seen the Lord take care of us . We have found joy in having little and much. We have learned to wait before the Lord and seek His face.

In preparations to return we ask for your continued prayers and partnership. It is our hearts desire to bless this land financially before we leave. Just as you gave for Todd to travel to Ukraine, we ask that you give so we can bless Israel as we "go out with joy." The funds would be used to bless the little school that Josiah and Abigail have been a part of (purchasing supplies they need), the medical clinic we take the children too and as the Lord leads - other people we have befriended. As the dollar drops in value it affects the people of this land. We thank you for partnering with us and for blessing Israel as we prepare to return to the States.

Sarah