A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord
directs his steps.
-
Proverbs
16:9
Dear Family and Friends,
We
can plan all we want, but God is the one who directs out steps. Sometimes He
directs our steps in a way that we would have never imagined. And sometimes we
like our plans better than the direction He takes us. But we have to recognize
that God’s plans are better than our plans and His thoughts better than our
thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
My
team and I have been planning to leave for Brazil on March 6th for
ten days since last semester. We had made plans, reserved tickets, made up
schedules, and were working on finishing up fundraising and getting
immunizations. But we found out a week ago that there is massive flooding in western
Brazil. The water level is the highest it has ever been in recorded history (the
genesis flood, although much greater, was not recorded for that specific area)
and the SIL base is preparing for an imminent evacuation. They have no power
besides their generators and are facing possible food and fuel shortages.
Because their rainy season is not yet over the water is forecasted to rise even
higher. They are in the middle of a natural disaster situation and at the
moment we would not be able to be of much help.
Because
of this, my team is postponing our trip till August. By going in August we will
have more time to experience what aviation in
developing countries is like and why it is so needed for Kingdom work (I would
love to tell you more about this trip in person!). We will be able to spend
two weeks in Brazil instead of just ten days because we will not be limited by
school. We will also have a longer time to finish fundraising (if you would be
interested in supporting me let me know and I can give you the information),
get our immunizations (my least favorite part about traveling overseas!), and
be more prepared for what God has in store for us! Lord willing we will be able
to easily switch over out plane tickets and thankfully our visas are good for
ten years.
Although
this was not in our plans I am convinced that God has greater plans for us by
delaying the trip until August. He has been such a huge part of this trip
already and I have seen Him working in not just my team, but in me personally!
I have been able to trust in Him more and completely had to rely on Him for my
visa and finances. God is very much in control of this trip and definitely has
amazing plans for us.
Please
pray for the SIL workers in Porto Velho, for their safety and for strength to
get through this time. Pray that God would show them His great power through
this crisis. Also, please pray for my team and that we would be able to change
the dates of our plane tickets without a problem. God answers prayer and thank
you for joining me in praying!
Thank
you for all your continued support! I am overwhelmed at how many people are
praying for me, my team, and those in Brazil and by how many people have
supported me financially in this. I could not ask for a stronger support family
behind me in this trip. Thank you for partnering with me in this work.
Thank you,
Tirzah
