"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ever ask or imagine..."
I have some bittersweet news. Let me first start with the "sweet" before I get to the "bitter." Before I tell you the wonderful news, I first have to say that this update is extremely over-do. But in light of all that has happened in the past weeks, I have not been able to do much celebrating. About three weeks ago, I was spending time with Marta and her family. It was good to just be with them for several hours and "catch up" on things. While I was driving her home, she points to the tavern that many of you have ceaselessly prayed for, and tells me that the tavern is closed. I continued driving and could not comprehend what she was saying. But sure enough as I drove past the doors where shut and the windows were boarded up!!!!! THE TAVERN IS CLOSED! After over a year of praying for that place, God has answered our prayers. I dropped Marta off and began back towards the house and as I drove past it for a second time I still was in shock. I could not believe that God had answered my prayers right in front of my eyes. I just feel so excited to see Him fulfill something that was placed deep in my heart. I love God! He is so good.
Even with all of this celebration, we are still not out of the woods. I visited Peela and Joel at the tavern. They told me that they had been shut down because they did not have their license. A fight broke out a few nights before and four men were stabbed with one dying. The police came and investigated and that's when the tavern was shut down. However, a few days ago I was visiting with Marta again and the doors to the tavern were opened. I know that they are not officially open again but they are trying to continue on in their business. So please keep on praying. We want the tavern to be shut down permanently.
I just want to thank all of you who have prayed and prayed for that tavern. I hope this builds your faith in Christ all the more. He has heard us and we can't stop praying now. We are on the brink of something great. So please keep praying for that "immeasurably more."
Now, I have some very sad news. Last Sunday, April 4th, three of our Port Elizabeth team members were in a car accident on their way to Jeffreys Bay. A good friend of the team was driving the car when a tire blew and caused their car to flip multiples times. All four of the kids were injured and sadly sweet Sarah Buller died later that afternoon. We had a beautiful memorial service on Wednedsay, which was her 19th birthday. This has been an incredibly difficult time as you can imagine. I am currently with my team and the PE team in Gordon's Bay (near Cape Town) being ministered to and counseled through this tough season. Our hearts are shattered by this loss. And our prayers cover the Buller family. Our teams will never be the same but we truly place all of our hope in Christ. We know that she is at His side worshipping Him and she is being honored for her tender-servant heart. We cling to the Lord during this time and know that He is STILL able to do "immeasurably more than all we could ever ask or imagine." Thanks for your prayers. Please keep praying.
HE Provides,
Amber