February Doom & Gloom Update (Prayer Letter)

Dear Praying Friends,

Well, we’re STILL on deputation. We’re STILL traveling an insane amount with a toddler and one on the way, and many of the churches we’ve visited haven’t taken us on. We are trying to raise support at one of the worst times possible, in a rough recession. Oh, and I’m sick. My daughter got hand foot and mouth disease, and now she has given it to me. So now I’m sick, covered in sores, and have to be in 27 days worth of meetings this next month.

OK, now that my FAKE prayer letter is written, I’ll write the real one! I recently heard a missionary prayer letter read at a church, and was blown away by how negative it sounded, and it really hit home to me that perspective is EVERYTHING. I was reading Job in my devotions today, and I had to start laughing at my tiny little “problems”. Job remembered that his Redeemer lived and it changed everything. Satan is constantly trying to get us to focus on things that seem negative, instead of looking at things through the filter of God’s Word. So yes, all of those things I mentioned are true, but here’s the RIGHT way to look at things:

• We get to be on deputation serving King Jesus! I get to preach almost every week, sometimes 3 or 4 times. In the last two weeks I’ve had the privilege to lead two men to the Lord in churches we’ve visited, and seen one young man surrender to missions. I get to spend time every week seeing other ministries and learning from pastors, many of whom are church-planters like me, and have great wisdom to learn from.

• We get to see God come through! He is providing all we need and more, even in a time when many people say deputation just won’t work, there’s not enough support to go around. It is taking a little longer than we had planned, but we are still over halfway done after a little over a year. We have even had 7 new supporters since the first of the year!

• We get to stay busy working for Him! It’s easy to get tired sometimes and wish for a break, but how great is it that God has opened that many doors that we’ll be in a church 27 days next month? A full calendar and a busy life is a blessing.

We are so blessed to have you all as friends, co-laborers, and prayer partners. Thanks so much for keeping us before the throne in your prayers, and if you are a little discouraged, remember to look to your Redeemer and know that your life is one of victory, that He will never leave or forsake you, and all things work together for your good and His glory!

Yours for His Harvest,
Scott, Melissa, Elena, and Isabel Newton