“For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words. Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.” (Ecclesiastes 5:3 & 18)

It’s always challenging to write a prayer letter. What can and should be said that hasn’t been said before? The above verses grabbed my attention this week. It’s well and good to talk and to plan, but God wants us to obey Him through our labor.

With this context, we know that faith pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). My favorite definition of faith is “believing and doubting, but acting on our belief rather than our doubt” (Mark 9:24). These last two months have been a labor of faith, and God has blessed this faith in an unbelievable fashion.

Common Steps of Faith

Despite politics and the economy, four precious churches in California and Arizona invited us to serve them, and we accepted. They invited missionary guests, prayed, and prepared, while we missionaries traveled, seeking the Lord’s power and guidance. Despite financial uncertainties, they “prayed down” and collected the necessary funds, while we missionaries invested to get there, and then the meetings began . . . by faith.

Common Blessings of Faith

Arriving at the first conference in Arizona after sundown, my car stalled at an intersection. Praying, it started again. After supper, it wouldn’t start. Praying, it started. The next morning while going to the soul-winning meeting, the same thing happened again. Then the Lord really stepped in, and my car was repaired step by step during the conference with a new battery, starter, and purge valve without any conference-schedule disruptions. Everyone praised God for His miraculous timing (no breakdown crossing the deserts) and provision, and God gave me a dear, new friend—the mechanic! Best of all, every day when we went soul winning, I was privileged to lead an adult to Christ. Later, I learned that two of those saved brought a total of ten family members to church! Only God could do that! At the last conference, five young people surrendered to serve as missionaries! Once again, only God!

Common Growth in Faith

For the first time ever, next year’s conferences were scheduled before I began driving home. I arrived home safely from the 4,900-mile trip, and since then, the Lord has used a missionary’s hospitalization to grant me clarity with regard to ministry plans and priorities for the future. It’s critical to be available to help missionaries effectively with their diverse medical challenges! What a tragedy it would be for any of them to be forced to leave the field prematurely due to a medical concern.

Thank you again for your faithful work, for praying and giving and going. We appreciate it more than ever. Please continue to pray for the Lord’s blessings, provision, and direction as we work . . . by faith. I just “celebrated” my 74th birthday, and things aren’t as easy or simple as they used to be. Ha!

That all might hear and understand the Gospel,

Dan and Lana Siemer