Adam & Melissa Gibson
ABWE
September 2020
Remembering: As I sit down to write this update and think on this day 19 years ago there is so much that floods my mind, as I’m sure yours. I was in the process of packing up my clothes to move to FL for my freshman year of college. I turned the TV on and to my surprise every channel had the same thing on it, one to the Twin Towers in NY was on fire. I think of that time not long ago and how we as a nation came together as Americans and how both men and women who were first responders gave their lives for strangers. Now as I watch TV, I see a nation that is divided, who call these heroes, these protectors of our nation, the police force with other first responders, they are now called worthless and evil. I am saddened to see what we have become in such a short period of time. As I remember those who selflessly put their lives on the line the morning of Sep.11, 2001 and were hailed as heroes are now being defunded and portrayed as evil. I am reminded of Isaiah 5:20 which says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” To all those who have served or are serving as police officers, first responders, military and anyone else who protects our great nation in any way, we want to say thank you, Thank You. The world may not see your value, but we know that we have these freedoms because throughout our history people have fought and given their lives so that we can be free. What a great heritage we have as a nation.
Trusting: We remember these things and are thankful for them, but our trust is not in them, but in God. As a kid I (Adam) was fearless. My friend Josh and I used to crawl through drainage pipes so small that our shoulders rubbed the sides, so dark that we could not see anything at all, and filled with water to the point were we would have to crawl on our backs so our faces would be above water. I remember climbing to the very top of a tree as a big gust of wind came and snapped the top of the tree. I fell flat on my back into a freezing cold creek only to land on a big flat rock. I used to swing off of cliffs on vines from nearby trees, only once did the vine break. Once with three friends from church when I was 15 we drove up to Harrison Bay, TN and went out on a hike in the woods. We came to a very high cliff that was well over 50 feet above the Tennessee River. My friend Greg asked, wonder how deep the water is, to which I responded, I’ll find out. I took off running and jumped. My future plans were to be one of two things, a fighter pilot or a Navy Seal…not a pastor or missionary. I say all of this for a reason. As a kid and teenager, I was fearless, or possibly stupid at times, there was so much I left out, but nothing scared me. However, last week as I sat in a Dr. office I was filled with fear. I had been experiencing some terrible headaches, double vision at times and muscle weakness on the left side of my face. After two MRI’s it was recommended that I see a neurologist because I had some brain lesions. After meeting with him he told me that everything seems to be pointing to MS. I have more appointments to confirm, more MRI’s as well as an appointment with a different specialist. I am comforted when I think on passages of Scripture that I have memorized and studied, particularly Romans 8:26 where we are reminded that we often do not know how to pray and that the Spirit intercedes for us, what a comfort that is. To know that The Comforter intercedes for us, how incredible is that! So I’m not sure what to pray for or at times how to even pray about this situation. Yes, we need your prayers, but I’m not sure how to ask you to pray. When one of my best friends asked how he could pray for me, I jokingly (sorta) told him to pray that it was just a smudge on the MRI screen. But I do pray this, that I would be faithful to God during this time and that I would not become bitter or feel sorry for myself. God has blessed me beyond all that I could imagine. God changed my dreams of being in the military and has given me a higher calling, to preach the Good News in Portugal. I am amazed by God’s work in my life. It was God who was rich in mercy because of His great love that even when I was dead in my sins, God made me alive in Christ. He who is merciful showed and still shows me mercy. Melissa and I are truly blessed by God to be able to do the work of God in Portugal. We are trusting Him during these times when we are so unsure of what is going on in our lives. Praying: During these uncertain days because of lockdown and social distancing we are thankful that we are able to gather as a church on Sundays for service. We are not able to have any other events going on so we have only been able to meet one on one with others for English class and Bible study. Through all of this we are thankful to see God still working and making it possible to do what God has called us to do. Please pray that we will be able to point others to Christ when people are so unsure about what is happening in our world. We are so thankful to know that you are praying for us, supporting us and care about us. Please pray with us as we pray for you that we would be faithful and glorify God in a world that mocks and ignores Him. Praise: – Our church members are faithful in coming to church during covid. – The girls have started homeschool and are enjoying it. – Maintaining strong contacts in the community. Prayer: – For the girls and mainly Melissa during their school year. – For us to be faithful during these unsure times. – That we would be able to reach people and see them come to Christ.