April 2007Dear Friends and Partners,There are seasons in each of our lives when things just seem to fit together. There are also seasons when everything has the feel of an uphill battle. I’m sure you know what I mean. I remember when my son Vinnie shot his first buck a few years ago. We were in the hills of southern Iowa - the word “hills” being an understatement. Three extremely deep ravines stood between Vinnie’s buck and the vehicle. Knowing the task that awaited us, both Vinnie and I grabbed a hind leg and started to pull. The flat part of the journey was easy, but then came the first ravine. Climbing the steep embankment would be difficult for anybody. Dragging 185 pounds of deer behind us presented more than a challenge. When we finally crested the first ravine, we fell to the ground exhausted. At the second ravine, we lost our grip on the buck’s legs several times, and he rolled to the bottom of the massive ditch. After a lot of sweat, some blood, and almost some tears, we made it to the top of the second ravine. Again, we collapsed. Then it happened. Over the sound of our heavy breathing, we heard a tractor headed our way. Our friend who owned the land had come to give us some help. We were so relieved! We were physically and mentally exhausted. We had even begun to ask one another if it was worth all of the work. Not only was the carrying and dragging over, but we were able to ride back to the vehicle. In those few moments, it was as if everything in the world had changed for us. We weren’t sweating or frustrated any more. We weren’t tired or doubting our objective. No, we were resting and gaining ground 100 times faster than we had been before. We made it to the truck and, with three of us, easily loaded the buck for transport. This is a good picture of partnership. There have been times when Neja and I, along with our staff, have felt exhausted and frustrated. There have even been times when we have doubted whether or not our call to reach the nations with the Gospel is even possible. But when your faithful partnership and your prayers come to our aid, it refreshes us like our friend with the tractor. Not only are your gifts and partnership refreshing, they enable us to take ground much faster than we could on our own. Thank you for refreshing us! Thank you for coming alongside us in this uphill battle of reaching the nations of the world with the message of Jesus Christ. Together we are doing more, together we are moving faster, and together there is less strain on us individually. As you read this letter, our mass city-wide crusade in Burkina Faso and the ministers’ conference should just be starting. Please pray and interceded for this event. Let’s shake this nation for the Lord Jesus Christ and leave it changed with fruit that remains. The great commission has been given to each and every one of us. Stir yourself up about your call. Remind yourself that you have been called to bring the lost to the Lord. You’re to do it in your personal life and in the nations of the world until all have heard… Matthew 28:18-20
Your missionary evangelists,
Mark 16:15-18 Acts 1:7-8 Matthew 24:14 
Kenney & Neja Linhart |