Mourning while Praying

I am afraid that I have to share some very sad news. The first I will mention is sad because it again involves a Christian Karimojong man who has taken a second wife. And it is especially sad to us because it is someone who has been so dear to us. Lokwii David has been around our Mission since we first came to Karamoja when he was just a boy. He has become such a gifted translator and partner in ministry. Now, because of this very public sin, we are no longer able to have Lokwii laboring in this ministry capacity. Lokwii is still a member of our church. Please pray for him and us as we think about appropriate discipline. May our Lord be gracious to bring repentance.

We have also been deeply saddened by three deaths which have all taken place in the last two weeks. All three remind us of the tragic and destructive effects of the sin of drunkenness. In one case, five drunk men quarreled with a young woman, the wife of one of our workers. It became violent. They beat her. Though they never intended it, one blow proved fatal. She left behind her husband and two little girls. So sad!

Then, our good friend and church member, Edward Athiyo, lost two loved ones. Just yesterday we helped him bury his young wife, Nakiru. Once again, a young girl was left without her mother. This happened just a week after Edward lost his son, Lokiru Robert. Both of these tragic deaths involved years of heavy drinking causing severe liver damage.

So we have mourned much in recent days. There have been many opportunities to point our friends to the only source of true and lasting comfort, and to remind them and all of us of our great need to turn to him in true repentance and faith. Pray that we will continue to faithfully do so.

As a godly relative of mine once wrote  - “God is good. Even through tear-stained glasses, God is still good.”