The Josh Hiers Blog

Trusting God...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:55:00 +0000

"TRUST God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track." (Proverbs 3:5, 6 / The Message)

Dear friends,

I have been sick for the past seven weeks during my time here in Gabon. I have had blood work done on various occasions now, but there doesn't seem to be any clear indication of what I have contracted. For this reason, the missionaries and fellow believers that I have been working with here have suggested that I return to the states.

I believe that God heals. I believe that God can heal me. I have seen miracles take place with my own eyes. I have heard incredible stories about God's miraculous healing power. Is the fact that I am still sick even after the prayer and intercession of many a direct result of my own lack of faith?

This question seemed to plague me for some time. And in my worried and frustrated state, I finally turned to the Lord in prayer (why do we wait so long?).

God answered my prayer, but not in the way that I expected Him to.

As strange as it sounds, I believe that God is allowing this sickness to run its course. After all, God can use and do anything He wants to bring us closer to Him. Right? :)

I have learned so much from my experience here in Gabon. But I have also learned a great deal about trusting in the Lord through this illness.

Not everything has turned out the way that I thought it would. But God knows exactly what He's doing, and that's good enough for me...

I will be leaving from Libreville, Gabon this Friday to return to the states.

Please continue to pray for Gabonese who don't know Jesus. Please continue to pray for Gabonese believers, that they would remain strong in their faith. Please continue to pray for children at Hope House. Please continue to pray for missionaries, missionary families, and missionary doctors who have devoted their lives to serving the Lord here in Gabon.

Please continue to pray for God's kingdom to come and for His will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

I will continue to travel overseas upon the Lord's direction. If anything, this entire experience has only fueled my desire to continue to "go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation". (Mark 16:15)

Thank you for all of your prayers, support, and encouragement. You mean so much to me.

grace and peace,

josh

Hope House

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:03:00 +0000

Hello, friends!

Last week, Anna (another missionary worker) and I led a VBS (Vacation Bible School) for a group of missionary kids in Lambarene, Gabon during a field forum held by the Christian & Missionary Alliance. The forum was led by Dr. David Thompson, author and missionary doctor to The Bongolo Hospital in Gabon for over 30 years. In addition to Dave being a very gifted author and speaker, he is very personable and friendly (and quite the volleyball player, I might add). I am grateful for the time I was able to spend with him. Please keep him in your prayers as he, his wife, and medical team minister faithfully for the glory of God here in Gabon.

Just yesterday, I was able to visit a home for abandoned children known as "Hope House". The children are precious. There are approximately 20 children there, ranging from ages 3 - 16, who are taken care of by a Gabonese pastor and his wife, and a couple of "house mommas". The pastor in charge of the house is a man named Israel, and has one of the happiest smiles I've ever seen. I spent the whole afternoon with the children, mostly playing futbol (that's soccer for all us American-folk). Please pray for Pastor Israel, his wife, the two house mommas, and the children. Hope House is doing a wonderful job of not only caring for children without homes or parents, but also teaching them how to grow up in the ways of the Lord. What an awesome ministry!

Oh, and I am still learning French. I have lessons with a teacher three times a week, and am also using the Rosetta Stone program. Thank you to all those who are praying for me specifically in this way. I am getting progressively better at both speaking and understanding the language...

God is teaching me so much through His Word. I am currently studying the teachings of Jesus, and how He has commanded us to live as the kind of Church that He is coming back for. If I could be honest, Jesus taught His followers some pretty challenging things (selling your possessions and giving to the poor, praying for your enemies, etc.). I want to live this same kind of life; a life of "no compromise", just as His early followers did...

But we have nothing to fear! Jesus has given us His Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us as we follow Him.

May we always be about our "Father's business", building His kingdom, just like Jesus did.

Have a very blessed day, walking with our Savior!

- josh

Beautiful Country, Beautiful People

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:45:00 +0000

Gabon is a beautiful country, with beautiful people.

Somehow, I feel at home already here. I know that this is largely in part due to the fact that when we are in the center of God's will for our lives, His perfect peace saturates every part of us.

For those of you who read my blog, please pray specifically for me as I will be learning French during my time here. Pray that God will give me both perseverance and patience. :)

Have a wonderful day in our Savior,

- josh

One Week!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:18:00 +0000

Hello, friends!

Only one week left until my plane leaves for Gabon, Africa...

When we're obedient to the Lord, everything seems to fall into place. I truly believe that when we "Put God in charge of our work, then what we've planned will take place." (Proverbs 16:3 MSG)

Please pray for me as I make preparations, that God will give me peace, favor in my travels in relationships, and an unquenchable love for the people I will be ministering to.

I hope and pray that you have a blessed day, walking with the Father! :)

- josh

Thank you for your prayers!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Dear friends,

The Lord provides!

My flight will be leaving for Gabon, Africa on Monday, August 25th, 2009.

I just wanted to send a big "Thank You" to everyone who has prayed for me, supported me financially, or given me a word of encouragement during these past few months.

It is an understatement to say that I am more than excited about what the Lord has planned for my life during this next year in Gabon, Africa. For those of you who are committed to prayer, please pray that He will have his way in me and through me as I desire to serve Him in this next season.

I will be blogging on this page regularly during my year-long mission in Africa. Also, I will be posting updates as often as possible on myspace, facebook, and twitter. :)

I am thankful for our friendship, and I am so glad that our gracious Father has placed you in my life.

"May the Lord bless you and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace." (Numbers 6:26 NLT)

- josh

Wow Africa is really cold

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Hiers) — Mon, 04 May 2009 23:13:00 +0000

sum arcu, adipiscing ac, porta ut, sodales sed, odio. Cras vitae lorem sit amet eros mattis venenatis. Pellentesque dolor nunc, facilisis eu, eleifend vel, fermentum nec, leo. Aenean accumsan libero vitae urna. In varius velit sed augue. Maecenas vulputate enim quis libero. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean in dui. Maecenas augue ligula, egestas ut, cursus non, venenatis quis, lorem. In erat dui, volutpat eget, tristique nec, commodo eu, libero. Nulla facilisi. Maecenas est. Sed nec odio. Sed a ipsum eu tellus molestie imperdiet. In egestas orci lacinia quam. Fuscesum arcu, adipiscing ac, porta ut, sodales sed, odio. Cras vitae lorem sit amet eros mattis venenatis. Pellentesque dolor nunc, facilisis eu, eleifend vel, fermentum nec, leo. Aenean accumsan libero vitae urna. In varius velit sed augue. Maecenas vulputate enim quis libero. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean in dui. Maecenas augue ligula, egestas ut, cursus non, venenatis quis, lorem. In erat dui, volutpat eget, tristique nec, commodo eu, libero. Nulla facilisi. Maecenas est. Sed nec odio. Sed a ipsum eu tellus molestie imperdiet. In egestas orci lacinia quam. Fuscesum arcu, adipiscing ac, porta ut, sodales sed, odio. Cras vitae lorem sit amet eros mattis venenatis. Pellentesque dolor nunc, facilisis eu, eleifend vel, fermentum nec, leo. Aenean accumsan libero vitae urna. In varius velit sed augue. Maecenas vulputate enim quis libero. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean in dui. Maecenas augue ligula, egestas ut, cursus non, venenatis quis, lorem. In erat dui, volutpat eget, tristique nec, commodo eu, libero. Nulla facilisi. Maecenas est. Sed nec odio. Sed a ipsum eu tellus molestie imperdiet. In egestas orci lacinia quam. Fuscesum arcu, adipiscing ac, porta ut, sodales sed, odio. Cras vitae lorem sit amet eros mattis venenatis. Pellentesque dolor nunc, facilisis eu, eleifend vel, fermentum nec, leo. Aenean accumsan libero vitae urna. In varius velit sed augue. Maecenas vulputate enim quis libero. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean in dui. Maecenas augue ligula, egestas ut, cursus non, venenatis quis, lorem. In erat dui, volutpat eget, tristique nec, commodo eu, libero. Nulla facilisi. Maecenas est. Sed nec odio. Sed a ipsum eu tellus molestie imperdiet. In egestas orci lacinia quam. Fusce

Post 5

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Hiers) — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:53:00 +0000

ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Mauris vestibulum sem eu dui. Duis id odio. Maecenas ipsum arcu, adipiscing ac, porta ut, sodales sed, odio. Cras vitae lorem sit amet eros mattis venenatis. Pellentesque dolor nunc, facilisis eu, eleifend vel, fermentum nec, leo. Aenean accumsan libero vitae urna. In varius velit sed augue. Maecenas vulputate enim quis libero. Lorem ipsus ut convallis blandit, nisi enim molestie velit, sit amet ultricies nulla dui eget eros. Proin ornare tincidunt purus. Aenean molestie, sapien vel

Post 4

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Hiers) — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:53:00 +0000

ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Mauris vestibulum sem eu dui. Duis id odio. Maecenas ipsum arcu, adipiscing ac, porta ut, sodales sed, odio. Cras vitae lorem sit amet eros mattis venenatis. Pellentesque dolor nunc, facilisis eu, eleifend vel, fermentum nec, leo. Aenean accumsan libero vitae urna. In varius velit sed augue. Maecenas vulputate enim quis libero. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean in dui.

Maecenas augue ligula, egestas ut, cursus non, venenatis quis, lorem. In erat dui, volutpat eget, tristique nec, commodo eu, libero. Nulla facilisi. Maecenas est. Sed nec odio. Sed a ipsum eu tellus molestie imperdiet. In egestas orci lacinia quam. Fusce luctus.

Donec consequat, lectus ut convallis blandit, nisi enim molestie velit, sit amet ultricies nulla dui eget eros. Proin ornare tincidunt purus. Aenean molestie, sapien vel

hey

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Hiers) — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:50:00 +0000

ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Mauris vestibulum sem eu dui. Duis id odio. Maecenas ipsum arcu, adipiscing ac, porta ut, sodales sed, odio. Cras vitae lorem sit amet eros mattis venenatis. Pellentesque dolor nunc, facilisis eu, eleifend vel, fermentum nec, leo. Aenean accumsan libero vitae urna. In varius velit sed augue. Maecenas vulputate enim quis libero. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean in dui.

Donec consequat, lectus ut convallis blandit, nisi enim molestie velit, sit amet ultricies nulla dui eget eros. Proin ornare tincidunt purus. Aenean molestie, sapien vel

nln

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Hiers) — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:36:00 +0000

jkhkjhkjh

Test Post

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Hiers) — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:24:00 +0000

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Mauris vestibulum sem eu dui. Duis id odio. Maecenas ipsum arcu, adipiscing ac, porta ut, sodales sed, odio. Cras vitae lorem sit amet eros mattis venenatis. Pellentesque dolor nunc, facilisis eu, eleifend vel, fermentum nec, leo. Aenean accumsan libero vitae urna. In varius velit sed augue. Maecenas vulputate enim quis libero. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean in dui.

Donec consequat, lectus ut convallis blandit, nisi enim molestie velit, sit amet ultricies nulla dui eget eros. Proin ornare tincidunt purus. Aenean molestie, sapien vel pulvinar tincidunt, enim est imperdiet ipsum, eu interdum enim nulla eget enim. Phasellus volutpat hendrerit odio. Nulla ac mi at magna facilisis egestas. Vestibulum rhoncus massa id quam. Aliquam malesuada, felis quis pellentesque luctus, libero augue luctus mi, in tincidunt mauris sapien eu nisl. Integer eget orci. Nam posuere, purus venenatis ornare porta, nulla quam interdum sem, id porta leo lacus at quam. Donec pellentesque, purus in tempor vehicula, nisi nisl aliquet risus, imperdiet adipiscing ante lorem adipiscing erat. Ut non dolor in enim egestas dictum. Curabitur semper, dolor nec mattis ornare, dolor nisl pretium nulla, eu aliquet leo arcu eget diam. Proin vel metus. Donec justo felis, semper nec, imperdiet nec, sagittis nec, turpis. Nunc non libero. Nullam ut magna. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus.