October 2020
Both Deborah and I apologize for not blogging sooner. As you will see from the miles traveled and God’s work in our lives, that the time it takes to write a blog post has been consumed in events. It is amazing that the directive God gave us in the beginning of this “mission trip” painted on the rock that was left on our doorstep in Oregon (A lost world needs to see our God …) is manifesting itself in everyday life. Looking back to that day when God said GO! We didn’t know where we were going to end up, or whether we would have a roof over our heads, or where the next meal was coming from, etc, etc… But we were, and are resolute to follow the Lord wherever He leads in whatever he commands. From our perspective we are now able to see Gods direction in our lives, the ministry He has given us in these difficult times, and by following the breadcrumbs He has left us we are on the right track. That doesn’t mean that we know any more than 24 hours in advance, 1 or 2 months at a time where we will be or end up. But that seems to be God’s will for Craig and Deborah.
Mathew 6:34
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof4
We are missionaries. God has called us to that. We follow Him. We are tent-maker-folk, providing for this ministry by what God gives us through work, and blessings from you all. In the stories of events in our lives since covid, I hope you will see God moving in our lives, we are encouraged and hope you will be too.
Covid entered our lives in March of 2020 when my job as a UXO Tech I in AZ ended with a text “because of covid-19 we are discontinuing work at Barry M Goldwater Range”. We had 24 hours notice. Both Deborah and I took it as God giving us the time to replace not repair the bus engine, but because of the timing we were not initially prepared to get it done. After much prayer, I got the engine ordered and with the help of everyone in our campground in AZ, got it installed..
(Thanks to all of you who helped with the cost of a new engine, we could not have done it without you). After the work in AZ was closed, I signed on with a new company and my first assignment was Umnak Island AK. Deborah could not go as Umnak is remote, so after 15 years of marriage and working together, God had given me an assignment separate from my wife. It was a difficult thing to depart from my proverbs 31 wife for several months as we have always worked side by side, in everything. I realized that we were still side by side, working forward to what God has called us to, only separated by 3 time zones! It was a difficult endeavor, but with God’s help we persevered. We learned that being tentmaker-folk, I could go gather funds to pay for the tent, and my wife could stay home and manage the tent. After all, we are still partners in tent-making. Praise The LORD!
On Umnak, separated from my wife, civilization, internet, and living with only about 40 people on a remote Aluetion island, I learned that I was one of only 3 Christian men in that group. A brand new Christian, an older brother in the Lord, and me, somewhere in the middle. Lifelong relationships were developed on the remote island. God used me as witness to a captive audience (literally captive), with me having to speak few words. Just as the word says in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, it is the way ministry in America works at present, as it is in other countries that are persecuting Christians.
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
Please pray for my coworkers on Umnak Island, there are those who heard the WORD and may listen, and there are those who heard the WORD and won’t listen
When Umnak was complete, we were shipped off to Virgina beach VA. Not someplace I would choose to go, but God is faithful to work in and through us as we follow His direction. Like Umnak there are those who would hear God’s word and act on it, and those who hear and choose to ignore it. The work here is hot, muddy, filled with ticks mosquitoes and lots of stuff in the ground that goes boom, but this is what God has given us to do. To be faithful witnesses in the world. It is a very unusual thing to see a 61 year old man digging up things that go boom next to 20 + year olds. Lots of them ask, why are you smiling, what is the joy in you? (why are you happy all the time?).
KJB 2 Corintians 4:1-7
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
So as we venture forth in the day to day joy of following the Lord, please pray for us as the next job is Indianhead MD. It will be cold, wet, full of surprises, but no matter how I feel, how hard it may be to continue, we are following Him. The Joy of the Lord is our strength!
NKJV Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
God Bless You, and thanks for praying.
Its working!
Craig and Deborah Graber <><