We know that the prayers of the righteous are powerful. We need your help like never before. Please join us in intercession for Pinalito, the village we love so dearly. For the past several months, a gang of men from Volcan, a neighboring people, has been terrorizing the Pinalito people along with the surrounding villages. These men are not only after lining their pockets, but are also driven by a lust for women and a thirst for blood. It has gone beyond stealing out of necessity and onto a power struggle fueled by greed.
There is one small, dusty road winding out of the jungles, connecting the villages to civilization. It is a well-traveled anthill. The villagers systematically journey this road back and forth with their valuable supplies and families. Of course, in a thieves mind, it is the opportune place for a stake out.
Heavily armed with guns, four brothers have assembled a well-organized society of thieves. They hide in the overhanging bushes and watch for unsuspecting prey. Young girls and older women alike have been brutally taken advantage of. They are not only stripped of their dignity, but also robbed of the meager supplies they’ve been able to gather. These thieves portray nothing more than a hollow heart and a bitter mind. The brothers go so far as to use their own women and children as decoys in their plots, forcing them to stand out in the road and beckon on the weary travelers. Trapped within the clutches of poverty Pinalito has known nothing but war. Whether it’s the daily threat of hunger carving out their bodies, or savage betrayal becoming the only means to survival; this village is one of the most Spartan of mankind.
A couple weeks ago, the Pinalito men gathered at the entrance of their village under the cover of night. As the bandits from Volcan approached, Pinalito fired its first blast of retribution. Amidst the conflict, two of the men leading this espionage were shot: one in the leg and the other in the abdomen. While this could seem victorious, Pinalito has just signed up for war. Forced to play a daring game of roulette, the outcome is yet to be determined.
We stand in prayerful support behind our village. However, this commitment has not come without a cost. Threats have been posed against our mission base and family. Rumors of attack have spread in hopes of us abandoning our call and deserting the people.
There is a story in the Bible that has reminded us of perseverance: David, pursuing the call upon his life, was anointed to be king. Saul and his army led a raid against David in hopes of derailing him from his purpose. In fear for his life, David retreated to the caverns on the mountainside. Every night brought terror of the unknown. It was in these cold, dripping caves, under a trembling hand of courage that the Psalm 23 was penned.
{The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters….
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.
…}
To be honest, it’s hard to stand on this Psalm’s truth when we are forced to walk through the valley of death. However, the enemy would have already won the battle if we allowed ourselves to be consumed by our fears. Though the future lies in question, our confidence wavers not from our Heavenly Fathers purpose. It is not by our strength, but His, that we are able to go on. With that being said, we have been guaranteed victory, even if it means falling in battle.
Today, word has come that there is a massive raid on Pinalito scheduled in the coming days. While the women and children will hide in our mission apartments, the boys and men alike will be forced to defend. The tension continues to build, as both parties are preparing to face death for the sake of their cause. When the firing has stopped, and the smog of gunpowder has settled, the earth will have had its quenching of blood.
I believe this could turn into a testimony of Gods reality amongst the villager’s lives. Is it not in the darkest of nights that light shines at its most brilliance? Does the cry of the sheep not bring a warring Shepherd? Our trials and suffering are only a glimpse of the spiritual battle that takes place over our souls.
It is written that what we bind on earth through prayer is also bound in Heaven.
As we are all a vital part of Gods community, we ask that you embrace us in your prayers! As advocates to the cause of liberty, join us as we echo this prayer in unity and break the chains of bondage that now threatens to defeat us.
Pray: That through the demise of Satan’s attack, Gods glory would be revealed. That the clanging symbols of fear ringing in our ears would not drown out His quiet whispers of guidance. That Peace would no longer be a stranger to these lands. That God would grant us the faith to lie down in green pastures.
Our duty is simply stated: To stand for our call, until death do us part
With our lives on the altar, our hearts only cry is for Freedom.
I am and will continue to pray for these dear people, many of whom’s faces are stamped on my memory. I know that the Lord can send His Holy angels to defend them and to bring terror on the hearts of the enemies and scare them to repentance. Blessings to you all.
Praying for your challenge of “Faith In Action” with your community. May God Bless your family and all the people who put their faith in Him through you.
Hey Miguelito,
We’ll be praying for you guys. You guys are one of the reasons we are on the mission field today with our family. Your family is an inspiration and we talk about you guys all the time to our friends here. You are in our hearts and prayers.
Lou and Myranda
Zambia 2010
PS. Even though we are in a “docile” environment, there is such warfare being waged against us and other missionary families. the Devil is not happy… But we are right where we are supposed to be. Hasta la victoria siempre!
We are praying that God will reveal His Glory and His light will shine in this dark time. We love you all.
Bart, Olivia and the rest of our family
Man guys we will for sure be praying for the village, their situation, and for your family. God is good and never sleeps, so we can always bring our concerns to him because He so deeply cares for us.
We have been praying constantly in our family and at church for God’s mighty hand of protection and deliverance for you all and for the villagers of Pinalito. We have told many people and prayer groups about your challenges and will continue to spread the word.
Please keep us posted when you can. We love you guys!
So sad to hear about the situation in Pinalito. I am praying that God will show himself real to the people in their hour of need with supernatural protection and victory.
We will definitely be praying for The people of Pinalito. Praying for Gods guidance and wisdom and his supernatural hand of protection.
Believing that Gods light and power will show forth in the darkness not only to the Pinalito people but also to the other villages. We Love you guys and will spread the word on this situation and keep you lifted up in our prays.
i pray that the almighty GOD we serve will come with his army of angels to move with such a force that will take that city and keep them from harm and protect them, amen
We will pray fervently that God will protect you and the people of Pinalito. The devil is stirred up, but we believe that God will be victorious and that spiritual breakthrough could come from this trial.
We will get the word out to our whole team.
We love you–“be strong in the Lord and the power of his might!”
We are believing with you and praying for God to continue to see you guys through this situation. Our God is All Powerful and has you in the palm of His hand. My prayer is this,”When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up A standard against him.” Isaiah 59:19(b)
You don’t know me but your father came to our Life Group about 3 years ago and shared some amazing stories of God’s hand upon the mission work your family was doing. I got this email as a result of a member who also heard those reports from your dad. You are faithful followers of our Lord and I will be praying God’s light continues to shine brightly though you and other Christians who are in this dark area. And that he will keep all of you safe and He will continue to be glorified as His power and Word spread to those that so desperatey need it. I pray we will continue to hear the amazing hand of God working on your behalf.
Arlene and i and our care group will be praying too. We know that God will give you the victory,
We always think about you and use your family as an inspiration to help others. We’re sorry that you are having to deal with this. We will keep praying for your safety and a peaceful resolution. We love you very much and appreciate all that you do for people in need. May God continue to bless you and guide your steps.
All Our Love,
Jim, Denice, Tyler and Bradley Dunn
Will be praying very much for you all and for Pinalito. Had no idea what has been going on … We love you very much. Love, Janie and Roberto
I will stand in the gap for all of you. For the village people. I will pass this info on to Pastor Dwayne and pastor Alex so the church can pray too.
will lift ya’ll up in prayer. hang tough. you’ve been there before. that is why lucifer hates you and attacks you. his time is short. his anger is real and his defeat is assured. the rest is just details