Joey Update Vol. 18

Hello and happy belated Independence Day to all my fellow Americans! My own
day was celebrated in fine style with friends- but alas no fireworks.

As far as project related things, I am learning the importance of
flexibility and must constantly remind myself that this is His project work
first. Through it He is shaping me exactly as He wants me, in order to more
completely do His will and preparing me also for future work with Him.
Needless to say I am learning lots from Him, but this lesson more than any
other: The great importance and necessity of abiding in Him. He said, "Apart
from me you can do nothing." (Jn. 15:5) I do not want to do nothing and so I
go on reminding myself that abiding is an effortless resting in His grace.

So, as I was resting in Him, things got done. At the beginning of last week
a friend who speaks our language came over to help us with stories. We
managed to get three stories crafted with him. While this is a lot and we
rejoice over it, there remains much work to be done on them. One of the
greatest needs we have now is find someone who is consistent (our friend
lives out of town so it is harder to meet regularly with him) and knows the
language to the extent that he thinks in it.

Also, the plan to get out into surrounding villages, specifically the plan
to visit the capital town where the sultan of a large part of our people
lives, has been frustrated by circumstances. At first there was a serious
problem where a man attacked and killed his former wife. The person was
arrested and sent to prison. However, due to connections here, it turns out
that one of the two men who was going to take us to Yao, the capital town,
was related to the killer and could not travel that week.
After a week of waiting, still working on other parts of our project, we
were ready to travel again. The brother of the man in prison was ready, but
our friend who first invited us to his home in Yao is not. His wife just had
a baby girl and he needs to stay in town until the naming ceremony at the
end of this week. It is customary to name babies one week after they are
born. My friend just last night gave us good news that she is doing well
(both his wife and his baby girl) and further that he wants to name his baby
Sue, after my mom! Mom, be honoured, you may shortly have a little girl
named after you here in my country! I'll let you all know how it turns out.

So, here we are, back to planning our next move forward. It is encouraging
that we ever move forward, even if we are slowly advancing. As always your
p'ayers are needed greatly:

Hamdus:
-Three stories begun on their long process
-Positive responses to the testings of the stories
-Opportunities to travel to other villages

Du'as:
-For a consistent person who knows our language very well and who is willing
to work with us to tell the stories
-See above
-For the opportunity to visit Yao, the heartland of many of our people, soon
and for good first impression and connections
-For my friend's baby girl- health and strength in this critical time in her
life
-Continued encouragement in the work and steady progress

Thank you all for bearing with me again in the sometimes long silences from
this front. I am also eager to hear news and p'ayer requests you have so
write to me! Or, if you dare to brave the international phone charges and my
country which is especially thirsty for phone credit (as among other things-
Jn. 7:37) fuddal (bring it on). My number for you all to call from the
States is: 011 235 944 6349. Remember I'm five hours ahead of the Eastern
seaboard so take it into account. And don't worry for the international
rates; I'm well worth it to call. :)

Blessing on you all!

-Youssef