God is Able and God is working!

I just returned from a family reunion of my grandmother Anderson's family. The DeBauge family. There were 60 of us there and 5 had come from France where the family originates. It was so interesting! It was fun to hear people tell stories of those I have known and loved in the family ie. John and Nan (DeBauge) Walden, and of course my grandmother Antonia. The tree only goes back for about 150 years right now but they're digging deeper to get more info. So far, no royalty or villains in the family!

I was personally invited to Paris, France to stay with a young family that says they hope to organize a reunion in years to come in France. I'm going to start saving my pennies! They live just 2 Kilometers from Versailles. Did I spell that right?

The best thing of all is most of them are Catholic and the Lord gave us opportunity to talk to several about the Lord. One man actually asked "Why are you not Catholic". He said he had been searching for 45 years to find God and we told him that God put him next to us that day to hear the truth. He got my e-mail to further our conversation as we were interrupted by picture taking time.

Before we left on Sunday, my father stood and shared with all in the dinning hall, about 25, that the Lord was coming soon. He gave a brief Bible prophecy oration pointing to Christ, spoke of some current things that are pointing to the soon return of the Savior and gave the gospel. It was a blessing to see him in action with passion and boldness. I know the Spirit of God was using him in a powerful way at that moment. If you think of it, pray for the DeBauge family . God is able and God is working.

Mexico once again!

Just wanted all of you who might happen upon this to know we are going to be in Mexico again. Your prayers would be appreciated as it will be very busy. There is another youth conf. scheduled and this time I get to do some break out sessions with the ladies. I am excited and scared! There will be an interpreter ( a friend) and it will take some getting used to keeping my mind focused. We'll be busy with the assemblies through the week and on the weekends. There is some concern about travel into Mexico but I know that the Lord will see us there and back without problems. It is His work and His timing.

Pray for Joel while we're gone. He'll be with family but it always seems so strange to ask others to help out there with him. May he honor the Lord and be of help to them.

Blessings,

Moving forward!

Well, as you know the new year is here and I already have both feet on the ground running. Isn't there supposed to be some kind of break or something in life? You know, stop - take a moment and catch your breath? Life just keeps moving forward and it doesn't slow down. But really, that is such a wonderful thing. We're moving closer to eternity and it can't get any better than that! Mom was reminding me of that this afternoon. The Lord is coming soon!

We sent a New Year letter out to many this year and spoke of the goodness of God in it. This last year His goodness has passed before us in so many ways. In all our travels, His goodness was there. In ministering to the children at camp or DVBS His goodness was there. In the sorrow and grief of lost loved ones, even there we saw His goodness. His goodness is everywhere but sometimes we don't recognize it because we're too busy, or maybe we're just not looking for it and so we don't realize it.

Moses said in Ex. 33:13 "show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight." I love it that the Lord's answer was "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

It is the Lords goodness that His Presence goes with us. In having Him with us we have rest. Are you enjoying that rest? Are you enjoying His Presence? Yes, we're busy, especially those who have small children. But His rest can be realized in freedom from worry. Moses had the care of all the Israelites, in the dry, hot, weary desert. But they lacked nothing. They received refreshment, food and protection from the Lord, who promised to be with them.

This past year may have been a dry, hot desert at times. Or maybe the coming year will bring wilderness troubles. But the Presence of the Lord is with us in even a greater way than Moses experienced. We have the indwelling Spirit of the Living God. The One who is our Comforter and Guide.

John 14:16,17 and 26,27
"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you . Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

I don't know about you, but I realize everyday how much more I need Him. I am praying this year that just like Moses, I too will know Him more. Knowing Him, means enjoying His Presence in a new and wonderful way. Knowing Him means realizing more of His goodness.

It's about time!

Well, what can I say? Yes, I know - it has been way too long since the last post. A good friend recently told me with some question in her voice, "It's been March 12 since you posted last!"

I guess I thought no one was really noticing!

But you know what it's like to be busy! I know you do. I do not stand alone in this. Isn't it a line we each say!

Ok - let me just show you some of our summer highlights!

Oh bother! I can't get rid of the upside down picture. Will I ever learn?

Once again - a picture mistake. I quit!

I'm starting to prepare for our ladies study. Maybe I'll have more success there!

Thanks everyone for your prayers throughout the summer and for more recent events regarding Evelyn. The Lord's people are great and we love you all.

Mexico update

Dear Family and Friends,

We are very much enjoying our time in Mexico. There has been much going on. We completed a very intense weekend conf. with the young adults over the weekend and have spoken in 3 different assemblies thus far.

There is a meeting scheduled for this evening in yet another place. This weekend we will travel to Saltillo for another 2 days of meetings.

Please pray for continued good health, good ministry and receptive hearts. The saints here are very dear and many of them speak some english. There has been a translator for those who don't, mostly the older folks.

We expect to return home on the 18th and are so thankful that we were able to fly. Driving would have been difficult given this schedule.

Greetings to each of you and thank you again for your faithful prayers.

By His Grace,
Ken and Marti

Mexico or bust!

Well, come Friday Ken and I are flying to Mexico for ministry. Your prayers would be appreciated. The schedule will be very heavy. There will be a conf. on Sat and Sun. Daily devotional messages at the Christian school there thru the week with Mexican students in an English speaking environment. Speaking at area assemblies 3 or 4 nights and then another Sunday message at a different chapel. Other than the school all the speaking will be with an interpreter. Ken told them since we're coming the distance to just fill up the schedule.

We'll be seeing Tom and Sandy Peasland and the Wielengas from Torreon. (Not sure if I spelled that right!) We have prayed about doing this for several years and are finally seeing it happen.

Pray too that we will get no stomach bugs and for Joel as he remains home with different family members.

2 Cor. 4:5-6 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Listening or not!

I am so cold! Forgive me for stating that I do not like the cold. It seems to come rushing through me and I find I lose all desire to do anything I should be doing! I don't really understand. I would just be pleased to curl up in bed and sleep without a care in the world, snug and warm.

But this is not what I am called to do! Thankfully the Lord continues to bring things in my life that need to be done. Keeping Elisa comes to mind. Now she keeps me moving! (and I do turn the thermostate up on the days she visits!)

Recently I have been doing lots of study in both Romans and Matthew. I am trying to both catch up and get ahead in these. Matthew has been challenging lately.

Matthew 16:8,9 "O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves...? Do you not yet understand, or remember...?"

Of course he was speaking to the disciples regarding the past miracles of feeding the multitudes but to me He seems to say -

"Martha, stop trying to figure everything out. You don't have to have an answer for all that happens! Just remind yourself of what I have done in the past. I have been faithful through time and eternity to you and all mankind."

We get caught up in the moment of our own preoccupation. We don't listen to what He really is saying to us. Or, sometimes we are so busy trying to fit what we think He is saying (based on our selfishness or ignorance) that we don't hear what He really said!

Isaiah 64:4 "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him."

God is acting on your behalf today. Whatever your struggle, your pain, your loss. Listen quietly to Him. Hear His still small voice. Let Him calm the storm of your life with His Words. Peace be still!

Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."