Not had much free time

But I have also been struggling with the spiritual battles here.

 

It is just thoughts - trying to put down things going on.

 

Thought about labeling "ouch"  "yah" "ouch" "yah"

What you think?

 

 

First - thank you for your prayers!

 

The ladies have been doing a great job of letting everyone know what is happening.

I wanted to write and ask for more prayers

 

It has been a fantastic trip with students in my class coming everyday all day

Plus the 4 Deaf Vicars!!

 

But I am also hearing many stories of gossip about us.

Satan sure wants to destroy the Gospel.

 

Everything from we permit all sins - because God forgives us.

To we are going to hell because it is ok to drink beer or alcohol

To we are allowing sex to happen

To we are …. You name it; I think it is out there

It is very very sad

 

I am reading a lot of Acts this trip.

It is amazing how preaching the Gospel really upsets things

 

Everyday people come and talk with me...

(That is great!  Thank God)

They all say that if you sin,

But no time to confess you sins and repent before you die, you go to hell.

Think walking down a road, having a bad thought, getting hit by a car. 

Oops - no time to repent - to bad - to hell you go!

(They are talking about themselves and people who we would say are Christians)

 

We say “do they believe Jesus die to forgive their sins?”

Their response – “yes, but that does not matter because they did not confess!”

 

I have tried many different ways to explain and show Jesus died to forgive ALL our sins!  His Grace is ALWAYS around us.

These topics are always a struggle, but it seems much worse this year.

But I am proud of our Vicars and leaders – they are helping to teach the truth.

 

One of our leaders shared about a deaf group meeting invited him to talk.

He shared about Law and Gospel, babies having sin and Baptism is God’s Grace,

They did not answer his verses and would not let him speak more.

 

Also the idea of Grace motivating and leading us to obey God is very very hard.

They only know the Law motivates.

Try to show them the difference and they think we are only being weak and showing too much forgiveness and love.

(They say people need a few more hits with the stick)

 

Great news – one 24 year old student from our class became baptized on Sunday!  Plus Ernest’s baby!  That is great to see – smile.

 

This trip has been one of great highs and great lows

Seeing how God is working in people lives,

And seeing how Satan works to destroy.

 

Please pray for us.

Pray for God to protect us.

Pray He will open and hearts and minds of the people to see the Gospel.

 

Pray for our Vicars and leaders.

I know it hurts them very much the gossip

Please pray for them to continue strong and preach both Law and Gospel.

 

Please pray for our Deaf in the U.S. too.

I want more and more of them to see the Gospel too!

 

I thank God for the faithful people here and for all your prayers and support!

 

Serving Jesus Together with prayer and thanksgiving

 

Pastor Reinke

Missionary-at-Large/Deaf, South Wisconsin District -- LCMS

Director, Deaf Institute of Theology