November – December 2015 Prayer Letter
Greetings Everyone!
Looking back over the last two months let me first say I hope that each and every one of you had a wonderful holiday season. Holidays can be joyful and hard, a time of busyness and vacation, but I hope in the midst of it all you found time to pause and reflect on all God has done for us.
Deputation Update
As I am still early on in deputation, the holiday season was a bit slow in both scheduling church visits and presenting this ministry at churches, but it was definitely not slow in opportunities to minister.
One of my favorite events of the year is the fall retreat that Midland Baptist Church holds for its teens at a nearby camp. The chance to get away with the teens and spend time devoted to helping them grow closer to God and as a group brings me such joy. For the past several years, and this year still, I have been allowed to help organize and coordinate this retreat, as well as do the girls devotions, and I continue to be in awe that God would choose to use me in the lives of these teens. This year we had 73 people go on the trip and several decisions were made regarding devotions, ministry, and being cautious of how we treat one another. Even better though, we got the chance to see 2 people saved during this trip.
In December I had a conversation with a young man in our junior church who has come several times with questions regarding going to heaven. While he continued to be curious, he held to the idea that he wasn’t a sinner, something I’ve seen frequently in teaching young children. During this conversation though, I saw the young man finally get it, finally understand that the times he disobeys is sin and that sin keeps him from Heaven, and he accepted Christ as his Savior.
Throughout the last two months, in the midst of the joys of ministry, I also found myself sad for the churches who say they are unable to have a missionary visit because they are hurting financially and discouraged by the continual “no’s.” The devil is good at helping us doubt what God has for us, and for a day or two I began to wonder if anyone would see this ministry as worthy of their time, talents, and treasure, but I caught myself, and I caught what the devil was doing and again determined to trust that God would bring me across the churches and individuals He has prepared to partner with me. As a missionary I don’t want to pretend I don’t struggle, but I’d rather acknowledge those struggles and let you see the joy that comes from them. Two days after getting victory over this discouragement and doubt three different churches I had contacted several months before called to set up a visit. I didn’t expect God to respond in such a way, but I love the way He works.
Support Update
Currently I am at 22% of the support I need monthly, that I know of, however I do have a few other people who have recently promised to give. I am at 43% of my setup fund which will help me get to Peru and get settled upon arrival.
Thank you so much for your continual support, encouragement, and prayers.
Serving as an Ambassador for Christ,
Pam Drout