So many of you have written to tell us that you are praying for Michael, Theresa and their daughter Maureen as he sits unjustly in a jail in Nairobi. Thank you, thank you. It is an encouragement and blessing to us, but it has been an incredible blessing and strength to Theresa. Some of you have sent Scriptures and I’ve printed those out and given them to Theresa who then gives them to Michael. Many times she has come back to me and said how those verses have ministered to both her and Michael. She sends her thanks to all of you.

This past Wednesday the trial was yet again delayed because the truck that was to transport Michael to court broke down again.

In December we had our annual AIM conference and the speaker, a pastor from England, spoke to us for the entire conference from the book of Habakkuk. I had scarcely read Habakkuk before he came, but what an amazing and timely reading it has been. I’ve shared an overview of the messages with Theresa and it has really undergirded her faith. Habakkuk cries out to God at the injustice he sees. God answers and says that He has heard Habakkuk’s cries and He will answer, but it will be in a way that surprises and dismays Habakkuk. Habakkuk sticks with God and learns to trust the Lord’s path even when it looks all wrong, and He finds the peace and strength he needs to walk in God’s bigger purposes.

As Michael’s court date has been delayed time after time, we have had to realize that God does hear our cries, but has chosen to answer in a way that has surprised and dismayed us because He is doing far more than we can see. And truthfully, Theresa has had a stronger faith than I have. She grieves continually, but her faith in God is unshaken.

One piece of encouraging news is that there are some new lawyers from the International Justice Mission involved in the case now and they are taking some new steps. They have filed a petition with a higher court that if anything delays the trial again, then the case will simply be dismissed. We don’t know if the petition has been accepted, but it has been encouraging that someone outside of this situation is now aware of the injustice of it.

This Wednesday a new date for the trial will be set. Probably the trial will be scheduled for the following Wednesday, which is Feb.15. Please continue to pray with us. I’m grateful that God hears our prayers. I’m grateful that His ways are higher than our ways. But I am also grateful that He wants us to ask and seek and knock. Please continue to ask for Michael’s release. And oh what a celebration we will have when he is set free! We’ll have a big party and send all of you pictures!

With much gratitude for your kind and concerned hearts,

Nancy

PS. Many of you that are in technology know that Solution Beacon is a major Oracle consulting firm. Some of you might know that it was SB who donated the monies for the first computer center, and have been generous in supporting the school lunch program.

What you may not know is that as passionate as they are about helping Africa, there is another cause they are deeply involved with.

Insomnia.

That may be the only explanation for the following news: SB has published a book of our emails from Africa. When they first mentioned it to me, I was flattered, but wondered what kind of market there might be for used missionary emails.

Now I know.

This book is THE solution for anyone who can’t sleep at night. Two paragraphs in and you will be sleeping like a baby.

SB has done virtually all the work on this book. They even came up with the title, rejecting my worthy suggestion: `The Thrilling Story of my Extraordinary Life’ because, as they so kindly informed me, there is an ink shortage in the United States.

The book is already registered on Amazon, and it is selling so well that it you hurry, you may have the distinction of being the first one to buy one:

I’m kidding because I’m embarrassed by their kindness to me, but it was a dream come true to have a book published. We have had so many kind words spoken to us by so many people who have enjoyed our emails, and my hope is that this book will be a blessing to others.

All proceeds from the book will go to support the work we do in Africa, so you can combine the joy of extra sleep with the understanding that you will be helping others.

So thank you all for making a dream come true, and sweet dreams.

Your pal