The Mattfelds

The Mattfelds are Shepherd's Staff missionaries down in Mexico.

Change of Plans from For the Sake of the Name by The Mattfelds For anyone out there who reads this, I want to make an attempt to keep more regular in posting. I have been slow to get on board with this whole blogging thing but realize that it is a good way to keep many people updated at once.

After much prayer and discussion, we decided three days before the La Barra trip that I should stay behind. While I wanted to return, the reality that my shoulder is not healing well and the thought of leaving the family behind yet again set in. After discussing with the leadership here, it seemed wise to skip this trip and prepare for an upcoming trip to Oaxaca next month. That trip will be to the Coicoyan people in western Oaxaca, a least-reached group that To Every Tribe Ministries has adopted. More on that trip as it approaches.

As for the team now down in La Barra - please pray as they are facing much opposition. Several of the leading men are threatening the two known believers and have told the TETM team that they are to leave by Saturday or they will be run out of the village. Pray for wisdom for the leadership of the team. Pray that they will know when to take a stand for the gospel and when to pull stakes, shake the dust from their sandals and leave. (And the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know what to pray for as we ought...)

[One of the believers in La Barra and her family. Please pray for endurance and wisdom.]

Often what we use to measure success or failure is quite different than God's measure. In all we do, however, we can be sure that God is ALWAYS working ALL THINGS together for good for those who love Him, for those who have been called according to His purpose. That promise has quieted my heart more than once and I am sure that this is not the last time. We, as Christ's disciples, know that we will have enemies and opposition from all sides if we desire to live godly lives (the promise of 2 Timothy 3.12). But will they successfully be against us? No, for if God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect?

No one. Not finally. Not decisively.

More than conquerors with you,
paul

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