The heat is insufferable; the ants are decidedly winning the war for control of the kitchen, attendance at Bible studies has dropped to a record low, and the university camp Dan's worked so hard to plan has only a fraction of the participants he was expecting. And on top of it all, our well dried up this week and we probably won't have running water in our house for the rest of the dry season. We gather city water that's turned on for two brief intervals each day, but it's barely enough for basic needs. But here's a glimpse of how God encourages us despite the circumstances.

Maria left her house at four in the morning. Her husband took her on horseback to the river, which she crossed on foot with her baby and sister. She then walked to the closest road, waited for a bus, and came into Yuty. Four hours on the road—for what? When she showed up at our gate I was sure she wanted something—medicine for a sick baby, probably. We were about to leave for Asunción with a family of new missionaries who'd been visiting, so I "cut to the chase" more quickly than I normally do with visitors. After a brief greeting I asked her straight-out what she needed.

"I wanted to visit you," she said. "I listen to your radio programs every day, and I love God like you."

"Is there anything that you'd like me to pray for, for you or your family?" I asked.

"I'm the only Christian in my village. I'd just like you to pray for strength for me, as it's hard to be ridiculed by everybody else. Pray that my faith would stay strong and that I'll be a good witness."

Needless to say, I sat there humbled and amazed. This 20-year-old Christian came from another state, traveling a total of eight hours, to come to my house and tell me how much our Guarani radio programs mean to her and how much she's learned from the Word through them. Incredible.

We read the Bible and prayed together briefly. But the programs we broadcast give her daily Bible teaching and encouragement she can't get from anyone there in her village. God is truly using your gifts and prayers for our radio ministry to bless lone Christians like Maria in places we've never heard of. Thanks for your eternal investment.