Clay Pots ~ more

~ We took Malachi to see the doctor on Monday. Thank you to all who were praying about this decision of ours since we were a little apprehensive as to what we needed to do for him. We were assured that, although he will need surgery again sometime in the distant future, as of right now, there is no pressing or urgent reason for us to take him home for surgery. So we get to stay together as a family!

~There have been 3 more deaths in the past couple days. A pregnant lady went into labor and didn’t deliver her baby right away. Five days later, her family took her to the clinic and her baby had already died. She died a few hours later. It was heart wrenching to see her body lying there with the baby still in her stomach. Another lady, an older one from another village, passed away a day later. People are starting to talk… some have asked, “What is going on? Is this the hand of Satan or is God trying to get our attention?” Pray for the believers as they answer the questions of their clan members and that they would have more opportunities to share the hope they have in Christ. Pray that hearts will be softened and the unbelieving will find the hope (Jesus) that they admit they do not have.

~The past few days, we have been approached by a number of people trying to sell us rocks. Someone told them that we would buy rocks and give them $ for it. It is a thinking and belief most probably associated with the cargo cult. Strange, but still it has been a good opportunity for both Jasons to tell them again that we are here to tell them about Jesus… and ONLY about Jesus, because HE is life and peace.

Some days you go to bed at night and wonder what was accomplished… Only God knows. We have only been back for 6 weeks and I feel like such a failure because I am already spiritually and emotionally worn out. I was hoping it would take a couple years for me to get to this point. But God! I am learning that in him and in him alone I can find joy and peace because I know that he loves me and accepts me.

Thank you for your prayers!
His Clay Pots,
Kellie for Jason, Micah, Sophia, & Malachi

Clay Pots ~ Office

The office will go on that patch of dirt near our house

Jason’s office where he works in is inside our house. The size is 10’ x 6’ and is separated by a thin piece of paneling from our school area and kitchen. When we built our home in the tribe 8 years ago this was a way to save $. But through the years it has become a source of stress. Jason must contend with 3 kids doing school, noises coming from the kitchen, and other noises from the rest of the house when school is done. I try to keep the noise level down, but it is often not very easy with all the kids. Also, I myself have found it difficult to process some of the conversations which I hear from the office as Jason does some discipleship with the Tobo believers in there as well as the translation. And there is the constant interruptions to school with people seeking Jason. In addition, his office can only hold one individual at a time and he needs more space.

So we would like to build an office separate from the house. We have estimated that the cost of materials and flight costs (the expensive part) and we think it will be about $4,000.00 (give or take?). Since it is so soon after our furlough, we are still paying off a few medical bills, but we feel that building this office soon is a priority for our family and the ministry.

We are never sure to what extent we should share our needs with others. Do we let our needs be known? Do we trust God to lay it on your hearts without telling you? Do we ask too much and give missions a bad name? We don’t know the answer to that, but we do desire to be honest with you and to share our struggle in this. We are in constant awe and totally humbled by God’s provision through His people time and time again. We get the distinct privilege of living by faith, something we wouldn’t trade for any pay check in the world. Thank you for your sacrifice to go to work everyday so that we can be here. Thank you for allowing us to share our needs with you.

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

Clay Pots ~ Romans 8

When God gives you mud…make mudslides!!!

First of all, I want to thank all of you for your prayers on our behalf. We know that God works mightily through people who call upon him and who live in dependence upon him. These things cannot possibly be accomplished or remedied in our own strength, but only as we rest in God’s grace and the wisdom and strength of the indwelling Holy Spirit. As I have been translating lessons for Romans chapter 8 this week, I have been encouraged with all the results of being in Christ:

1. No condemnation in Christ 8:1-4
2. Alive in Christ 8:5-11
3. Children and heirs with Christ 8:12-17
4. Freedom and hope in Christ 8:18-25
5. Interceded by the Spirit 8:26-27
6. Predestined in Christ 8:28-30
7. Justified by Christ 8:31-34
8. Loved by Christ 8:35-39

And the thing which has grabbed my heart and given me hope is the fact that the Sovereign God who has conquered death and hell and trampled Satan in the mire, this God who is my Father because he looks at the finished work of his Son on the cross and credits Jesus death to my account, this God who loved me even when I was a rebel sinner in opposition to him, will he not also give me all things (v.32)? I trust that God will give me what I need, nothing less (so that I complain) and nothing more (so that I do not turn my eyes on the blessings instead of himself).

The fevers are all gone as of this (Friday) morning. The boils are gone and antibiotics are finished. There was not a death this past weekend, which was a ready relief to everyone here, and the sun has been shining every morning for the past week. We will be flying out in a couple weeks to have Malachi evaluated by our mission Dr. in town and will make a decision based on his evaluation. Thank you for your prayers, they have made a difference. But please do not cease to lift up especially the believers to the throne of God. Many are still in the midst of persecution, heavies and difficulties, concerns and worries. And some are still dealing with the aftershocks of death and sickness. Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ… that as they begin to hear all the results of being in Christ in Romans 8, that they will be encouraged and strengthened in the grace that is found in Christ Jesus. We all need these encouraging words, and our Tobo brothers and sisters are no different.

Thank you for your part in this work,

Jason

Prayers Needed

Could you pray for us?

~ We have had 4 people die in the 3 weeks we have been here. A young man (who left 3 kids and a wife), a 1 year old girl, a young girl (in her 20’s), and just last night the baby granddaughter of one of the believers. And from what we can tell, there is no real reason other than the powers of darkness love death and are hitting the un-believing community. The causes of these deaths, in their minds, range from people working poison on them to someone talking bad about the other person. They need the truth in their lives.

~Jason and Malachi are both trying to fight off boils right now on their skin and Kellie, Micah, and Sophia have been fighting a fever and a headache for over a week now.

~ The Tobo believers did not meet this past Sunday due to the extreme rain and mud. We have asked them to pray and seek God on what to do about a building to meet in. We missionaries have many ideas, but we want to see them seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in this and come up with a culturally appropriate way to meet.

~ Remember Malachi’s 2 surgeries while we were home? This past week we have seen the symptoms starting to reoccur again in that area and it is swelling up. We consulted our mission Dr. and he told us Malachi will need another surgery soon if things don’t change.

~ And both of our co-workers, Mankins and Williamsons… they are struggling with various issues… so our whole team is getting attacked in different ways.

I am glad that the powers of darkness think we are worth annoying but it can still be discouraging. We are in a battle here and we believe that the prayers of the saints make a huge difference. We ask that you pray for the community that they will see their need for a Savior. For the believers, that they would rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance in direction for the church and for boldness in demonstrating the love of Jesus as they talk to the different families that have lost loved ones. For us as a family, that God would intervene and (we do not see this as a coincidence – happening immediately after our return) choose to heal Malachi himself so that we don’t have to try to figure out where and how to get another surgery done. And pray for our whole team, that we would be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus so that we can endure with joy.

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, & Malachi Knapp