"...though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith...may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." ~1Pet1:6-7

Well, the title "various trials", pretty much sums up the last month and a half to a tee. We've had hundreds of little tests and some big ones, we have passed some with flying colors and some not so brilliantly. The point is, that all these slight momentary afflictions are preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

For that we PRAISE the LORD!

A few trials to praise the Lord for :)
We've been visited by the dengue bug. Micah has spent the good part of the last four days in bed with a high fever and bone-break nerve pain. It's been pretty tough but we're hoping that, under the influence of meds, he is on the mend. At the same time, I've had vertigo (my head spins for no apparent reason and I end up super nauseous). The bug might have taken up residence in my ear, for all I know!

Our upcoming trip to Trujillo has been delayed indefinitely (we were planning to leave yesterday - of course we also have to be in a state to make the 20 hour drive ;). But, as of now, we're completely trapped in Tarapoto by a group of indigenous people protesting and manning the roadblocks to all entrances/exits of the city for the last week and a half. To add insult to injury, the motocarristas (taxi drivers), have decided to strike at the same time so that no one can move even inside the city (they've threatened to damage cars that attempt to drive about - and it's too far to walk with lots of little kids to most places from where we live). It was already getting pretty bad before the taxistas started their strike. Now many in the city are at risk of running out of food, most of the stores and all the markets are closed, and one can't even get to the hospital. A few minutes ago, they even shut down the airport. It is supposed to last through this week, so unless the miraculous happens, we will most likely miss the National Congress of full-time workers and leaders (May 13-16)... along with any elders/leaders from this part of the country (Yurimaguas) that haven't flown or left by car already.

So over this last month, in a house with no furniture, facing serious health issues, with mosquito bites galore, with a bathroom & kitchen that emptied sewage into the backyard, bats coming in, high temperatures, incessant rain and the resulting mud, all the while keeping up on pastoral visits, preaching/teaching multiple times a week, facing immaturity issues among the believers, etc., etc.,... We do NOT complain, but PRAISE the Lord for the opportunity to grow our FAITH.

Pray that in all things we would welcome trials as a test of the genuineness of our faith and obedience. Pray that HIS glory might be revealed in us as we continue to be tested in various trials. It is not an easy task.

On His grace we're dependent
To reflect His glory resplendant.
So we learn to be content,
And this that our souls may live.

The Tuttles