Dear Friends,
These last few weeks have been some of the most emotional and intense in my recent years!
In my last update I told you a few of the incredible miracles that the Lord is doing amongst the Mengen people. What a joy to see the fruits of our labor and to see the Mengen church following after the Lord and maturing in Him!! It was incredible to see so many young people who are hungry to hear God’s Word and to hear the book of Romans taught powerfully to 120+ people in our small village. Like I said, it was such a joyous and intense time. It was also a very exhausting time as I often worked 10 hours a day on translation. It has taken me quite awhile to “recover” from this amazing experience.
Upon my return to Hoskins, I learned that my much-loved grandma in Canada was very low and not expected to live much longer. Although it did not come as a big surprise (her body had been frail for awhile), it was very painful for me to be away from my family during this time.
On October 30, 3017 my grandma Jean Cross Gibson was ushered into the presence of Jesus. How do you put something like that into words…the intense joy of knowing that she’s face to face with Christ the King?! Also the bittersweet emotion of so many happy memories over the years. And the “shock” of thinking that I was home just 7 weeks before and now I’m almost 11,000 km away when this happens. Needless to say, it has been a difficult time for me. However, the Lord has comforted my heart with His Word and with precious hymns that my grandma loved so much. Also knowing that God is omniscient and His ways and plans are perfect. I am confident that He is in control of all things and I can rest on that fact.
Thankfully my sister kept me up to date with photos and texts as each family gathering was taking place, so I felt a little bit like I was there. Then this morning I was able to see my grandma’s funeral service online and that was really special too. I am SO thankful for the incredible and Godly heritage that has been passed down by my ancestors stretching back for generations. I know it is a privilege and a blessing.
As I reflect on my ministry with the Mengen people, it is pretty special to think that many people who once were in spiritual darkness, will now be joining us in heaven some day. And not only this generation, but each generation until the return of Christ will see more Mengen people on their way to heaven to be with the King of Kings. That is priceless and absolutely worth every pain and struggle that I’ve experience over the years!
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count
from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.
They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.”All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures.
They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen!
Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” (Rev. 7:9-12)
Thank you so much for standing with me and for praying for me. Thanks also for the many emails and FB messages you have sent during this time. You have encouraged and refreshed my heart so much. Sorry I haven’t had the time to respond to each one personally. I still am under a huge time crunch with my work, but please know that I love and appreciate you all.
We Shall Behold Him, face to face in all of His glory!! What a precious promise.
Becky Preheim