Hey everyone,

As you probably know, I went to India this past fall. There is another team headed out in early August. They are in need of another female team member who has been before. I do not feel “called” to this particular trip in the same way that I did last year…other than the clear call in scripture, Matt 28: 18-20. However, I feel that I should join this team in August due to the fact that they need more laborers. I’m trusting that God will provide. The most important need I feel is for peace and assurance to help me brave the storm. If you’ve never dealt with anxiety, the debilitating kind, then it may be hard for you to understand. I’ve dealt with anxiety for the last few years and it’s better than it was for sure. But, this is the means in which I am attacked. As scripture says, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

I saw the need for an additional team member last weekend. I prayed throughout the day…as much as I could with all 3 kids providing every possible distraction, as you can imagine. Cam was out of town that weekend, so that made everything harder and made me more vulnerable to being attacked as well. That night I went ahead and signed up to join the team and I can’t even put into words the spiritual attack that happened during the night. I woke up out of the blue in an anxiety attack…I’ve never been woken up by an anxiety attack before. I felt suffocated with the fear of leaving the kids so soon, for so long. For months after I returned home Cullen would say, “you’re not leaving again, right?” or “you’re never gonna leave, okay?” The thought of leaving him/them so soon again for 11 days is very difficult for me. Anyone who knows me knows it was a miracle that God enabled me to leave the kids to go on last year’s trip. I’ve been praying for God’s Spirit to move in a mighty way again if He wants me to fill this void. After many days of debilitating anxiety, God provided peace. Not necessarily a peace to go, but a peace from the anxiety (my issue of anxiety, not just a flippant use of the word), which is a huge praise. I’ve been able to pray in this peace the last few days and I feel like I should go.

God is making Himself known and He has invited us to join Him, “the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.” (Matt 9:37) It’s easy to fixate on the “cost” of following Him, but when we fixate on the “cost” He paid, how can we not join in sharing this gospel with the world? I’ve been praying and fasting that God would provide peace and assurance…He has given me enough to say, “yes” to filling this void. I’ve talked to the kids about it a few times and they know this is a call for all of us to be a part of what God is doing in the world, not just a call for me. God has given them peace with the thought of me going again…I praise Him for that! And I pray continual peace and assurance over our family for the next month and during the time I’ll be away. Please pray with us! Pray continual peace over our kids…for a deep understanding beyond their ages…to see that He is worth everything. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

 I’ve asked God why there would be any chance He would send me to fill this void? When I am so weak in just thinking about it. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 says, “God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong…so that no one may boast before Him.” It’s still something I wrestle with…I want to feel strong on my own. But, the things that God have planned are only things He could ever accomplish. I’m trusting in His strength alone because I don’t have it. Even though I struggle, I always want to be willing to follow wherever He will lead me (us).

 I also wanted to give a brief explanation of what each trip consists of. Each team partners with national churches and believers to target unreached people groups with the Gospel. Each day, the team works with several local believers, including a translator, and they go to homes in villages looking for a “Person of Peace” (Luke 10) in order to share Christ with people that are open to hear. Our prayer is that a fellowship of believers will be established before we leave. Our local partners are committed to following up with the new believers and fellowship groups. Almost 85% of the groups eventually become churches.

 Specific prayer needs:

*Continual peace and assurance for our family and protection over us

*Cam will be travelling again in July…it’s always harder when he’s away. He’s my physical rock. I know there could be potential for attacks during this time.

*Pray for all the laborers here and in South East Asia…that God would fill us with His power to accomplish what He has in store

*Pray for every ear that will hear through our testimony and through the testimonies of each new believer as they continue to spread the good news of what God has accomplished for us in Jesus Christ!

In Him,Tabitha

** Leaders on this team will be Ronny Skelton, Kathy Wilhelm, and Mary Wagner - either associate of full-time church planting staff through e3 Partners Ministry 

1) The country that the Mid-South Region represents should never be linked to information about the Mid-South Region (MSR).

2) ADDITIONALLY, we ask that the information contained herein not be posted on any social media site by anyone connected to this expedition team.