prayerletters galleries teaching nivky uec links our blog internship
 
Select a prayer letter:
 
In the last few weeks, the psalm’s declaration that the LORD is enthroned over the waters has become so meaningful to me. For the ancient one, the waters were a symbol for the seemingly uncontrollable forces that dominate life. But for the person of faith, the LORD is over the waters; God is enthroned over the chaos that too often and too easily encroaches upon the order and peace that we all desire in our lives.

The last few weeks, at times it has felt that we have set sail upon the waters of chaos, only to find that we left the oars on shore and there’s a hole in the boat! But God has repeatedly demonstrated to us—through his sovereign control over the earth, through the global family of faith, and through many Jesus disciples—that the Lord is truly over the waters. 

We arrived, quite tired from our 23-hour trip, on December 27. I mailed my passport off for renewal December 28 and then spent several days with my family. We celebrated Christmas again on New Year’s Eve and then had a small New Year’s Eve party.  New Year’s Day I preached twice for my parent’s church and taught the Sunday school class. We eventually set sail for Nashville where we enjoyed a potluck with Acklen Avenue on Wednesday night, gave a report there, and then spent Friday and Saturday on a missions retreat with the Otter Creek missions committee and other missionaries they support. What a dynamic gathering that was. We enjoyed reporting and being prayed for. That Sunday was Missions Sunday for Otter Creek and we again enjoyed a huge potluck and more reporting.  Sunday night we spent with a life group with many old friends from Lipscomb. The following Sunday I preached twice for the Laurel church, and we enjoyed seeing many friends and supporters from UTK days. We returned to Nashville where I taught two missions classes at Lipscomb, and on Saturday the UEC board meeting kept me busy after spending several days preparing, finalizing budgets and forecasts. Lena caught a terrible flu and was knocked out for several days so we were in Nashville longer than expected. 

THANK YOU

One of the great blessings was Danny and Phyllis Brewer allowing us to use a van while were here. An indescribable aid to all our driving around. 

In the midst of all this traveling, we enjoyed several long phone calls, dinner with many different people. Special thanks to Jonathan Shaub and his mother Sharon, Keith and Kristen Thompson, Mike and Regina Buckley, Steve and Magda Sherman, Kelly and Jim Pryor, Scott and Lisa Owings, Kenneth and Victoria Kirby, and Loren and Carrie Wisehart. Of course, my parents are always gracious hosts, and the Prills go far beyond anything we could ever dream in terms of hospitality and generosity. Several others made generous donations to our mission fund while we were there; thank you.