Wes and Trudy Seng

Brazil

Thanksgiving and Christmas Greetings

“Through many dangers, toils and snares we have already come. ‘Twas grace that brought us safe thus far and grace will lead us home.” We are so conscious of grace as we look back on the year. The Israelites at the border of Canaan were encouraged to follow closely “that you may know the way by which you shall go for you have not passed this way before.” (Joshua 3:3,4) We feel we need the same exhortation! Praise the Lord, our Toyota made it safely down to "I" . Remember that it turned end over end on a ministry trip in Bolivia in 2005? A “Save the Toyota” fund was initiated by a friend on the ministry and it yielded a little over $10,000.00. Part of those funds helped the battered old Toyota get intensive care and limp back to Ammi to finish recuperating.

In Brazil, more surface work was done, but home leave prevented finishing the repairs; $5000.00 remained in holding. This money was loaned to Ken Orr so he could leave for Brazil where he was desperately needed. He faithfully repaid his debt and the restoration was resumed. You see the end result! Though the dollar had weakened, the mechanic (a sweet Christian) insisted on doing much of the work for free as his contribution to missions. What can we say – God must like Toyotas too! Several have offered to buy it! Wes’ answer, “Sure, but you’ll need to get in line early at my funeral!” WE THANK ALL WHO HAD A PART IN THIS.

There is still no visible progress toward a school. As we wait (sometimes impatiently) we know we must trust. God’s schedule does not run like ours. Land prices are astronomical, and internet communication in this area is poor on the best of days. The Psalmist reminds us in regard to Israel: “By their own sword they did not possess the land, and their own arm did not save them, but Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence for you favored [had a plan for] them.” We sense our immediate goal is to establish relationships in the community and “pave the way with grace” for the glory of God and the future school. Meanwhile, Wes will be teaching in the "T" native community in "The North" on weekends. He has been christened “uncle” and officially welcomed into the group. What a privilege - yet what a responsibility. Our need for prayer in all of this is obvious.

John 9 relates the healing of the blind man. I have often wondered why the Lord resorted to a ‘mud tactic’ in this miracle. It occurs to me Jesus may have been remembering Eden. Millennia before, He had stooped to squeeze fresh God-scented earth between His fingers to sculpture alive His God-image. Now He stooped again to recreate new eyes for a genetically blind beggar. Awesome! This is our Lord! If He can recreate eyes, He can surely provide for a school. A country lyric says, “I’ve not met the world’s most important people, and chances that I ever will are dim. But if you want to meet the King of Glory, come to me for I know Him!” Here in this humble little town lives the King of Glory and we know Him! We look forward to introducing Him to our new friends in the neighborhood. After all, He came at Christmas for the likes of us. We desire prayer for wisdom, patience, faith and faithfulness. Yet there is also much cause for THANKSGIVING! We pray for you as you face the precarious economics of current times. May you also find many, many reasons to thank God and celebrate the fact that He is still with us.

In love and gratitude for your part in our lives, Wes and Trudy Seng