A Brief Follow-up to our Christmas letter New Years blessings to you! This communication has a very specific purpose.

We are in need of folks who will stand with us in prayer, and, if the Lord should so lead, practical assistance! Having so recently sent out our testimony to Gods faithfulness to this ministry over the course of its existence, we find ourselves wrestling with sending out this follow-up which may seem to contradict the faith we desired to express in that communication We in no way w ant to imply that God is unable or unwilling to supply, nor that our faith in Him has wavered! However, we also dont want to let some ki nd of false pride keep us from letting you know the situation we find the ministry in and from asking for help from Go ds people. So, with no fear in our hearts that God will fail, and in humility, we relate that the ministry is facing an urgent need financially! As this winter was coming on and heating fuel was needed, we arranged for our fuel supplier to make a modest delivery to carry us through the initial weeks of cold weather. We did this with complete confidence because we had every reason to expect a sizeable amount of funds were going to be arriving before the end of 2011. God has given us favor with the fuel company repeatedly when faced with similar challenges in the past. We always honestly share with them the financial picture of the moment and how and when we expect to have the resources to meet our obligation to them. We are thankful that God has poured out such abundant grace and has always enabled us to pay the ministrys debts! Here is the current reality In mid-December we were notified that the large gift we are due to receive (as part of a trust distribution) would not be coming for some (unspecified) months yet, its release having been delayed in the court system. With all the severe temperatures so far this winter we have had to go to the fuel company more than once with a request for small deliveries of fuel on credit. Now we find ourselves stretched beyond our ability to pay everything due monthly in a timely and God-honoring manner. The specifics: We have delayed making the January mortgage payment (there is a 15 day grace period before a penalty charge is added), as we felt that paying the property insurance monthly premium and the power bill were priorities and essential to good stewardship over the property. We also visited the fuel company and made a very small payment to show good faith and intentions. They have continued to work with us, graciously awaiting payment of a debt that is mounting We have been praying for wisdom in how to steward the funds that do come in, while knowing that it would be disastrous to allow the power to be turned off or the ministry house to freeze up for lack of heat. We keep the thermostat set very low (52 degrees) and the hot water heater turned off in the big house, except once a week for laundry and whenever we know we are having overnight guests or a group wanting to use it for a gathering . There was a family living in it in part of October and all of November; a large one-night gathering in December; and there will be a ladies retreat for a 3 -day weekend next month. We also personally pay a share of the power bill monthly, over and above our normal staff fees, and give love gifts to YWAM Fairbanks as we are able. The conclusion: So, weve prayed; weve given financially ourselves; weve stayed open to however God is presently asking us to allow the property to be used; and now were sharing the need! Weve done all we know to do and humbly acknowledge that God must do the rest! Thus far, Hes always provided through His people (no money in a mouth of a fish yet, or oil supernaturally filling up the fuel tanks, though we would love to see that happen!) so that is why we share this need. In asking ourselves why our prayers for these financial needs to be met arent yet answered, we were reminded of the story found in Daniel 10 about the warfare that is constantly taking place in the heavenly realms. In verses 12-13, in particular, we read, Then he said, Dont be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come to answer your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way We know that Satan is seeking to undermine our recent testimony to Gods goodness and to cast doubt on the truthf ulness and dependability of His Word, in which He says, Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:8 Would you pray with us for the speedy release of the trust distribution that this ministry is blessed to be in line for and desperately needing?! If God leads you to do more, then His Name be doubly praised! May He hear and answer your every prayer in His perfect way and time! In His Grip! Ken & Barb