Hailes on Mission

We have to say that this last month didn’t go as planned.  We had so many setbacks and disappointments that it really made us question why we are even in Madagascar.  Coming back to the field is never easy and though we came back in the first part of March Adam has really only been home for a few weeks.  That means fixing and repairing lots of things on our vehicle and house to make sure things will last for the foreseeable future. All on top of the regular duties of life and missions.  This has left us feeling like we have stretched ourselves out pretty thin.  For anyone that knows us we are all in type of people and work towards excellence but at times we have so many irons in the fire that we don’t feel like we are doing anything well.  Now throw in some curveballs that life in Mada gives and you have some knockdown punches that landed. We have taken the blows and didn’t always respond with the best attitude. ...

We always think of the passage in Amos 7:7 when we think of looking at the work of the Lord here in Madagascar. It seems that we are constantly in awe of how the Lord is doing something beyond our wildest dreams or at least on a completely different timeline then what we thought.  This is always so humbling and amazing to see. We also find that we are accountable for how we do things.  We are just servants of the Lord Jesus Christ and we are living in desperate need of Him working in and through us.  The temptation so many times is to try and do things our way.  We become the expert and we know what is best but so many times in those seasons of life we find the Lord teaching us lessons about how little we actually depend on Him.  He sets that plumb line on our life and the ministry we are attempting to do for Him and He finds us lacking.  We find that our ways will never measure up to His ways.  The good new...

With a few tears in our eyes and a slight ache in our hearts we left our families behind, including our two oldest daughters, to return to the field.   We enjoyed a busy seven months on furlough and were ready to return to the work the Lord has called us to in Madagascar. Eight years ago, we began this journey as God clearly called us to proclaim the Gospel to the Antandroy people.   After a couple years of language and culture studies we moved to the city of Fort Dauphin and began entering towns and villages in the region of Androy.   We had been told not to expect any converts; that the field would need a lot of work to prepare hearts to receive Christ. The Malagasy people in the high lands asked why we would go to a place where the tribes are so fierce and stubborn.   We knew the Lord had called us, so we went. Now after much prayer, proclamation and discipleship, we have seen such a great harvest; unlike we ever imagined.   Our goal continues to be emp...

  We know it has been a while since you have received an update from us.   This was done purposely.     As we came back to the US for our stateside assignment we really needed some rest this time around.     We needed to decompress from the wear and tear of the past seven years and really look into our hearts and see how in line they truly are with the Lord’s.      To be honest we have asked you all to pray for us not to be enticed by the glittering temptations around us here in the USA.     From a certain point of view life seems simpler and easier here.     We found ourselves wondering why God still needed us in Madagascar when He is doing such a mighty work that is way beyond what we can comprehend or in many cases handle.     The task at hand is so large that we know and recognize that unless it was the Lord leading us to continue on the path He has called us to in Madagascar we would fail.    ...

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28 We're six weeks into our 2nd stateside assignment.  We came in this time weary and burdened.  The culture of the Malagasy and their constant requests for help was wearing on us more than normal. Don't get me wrong, the Lord is moving in amazing ways.  Our brothers and sisters in Christ are proclaiming Christ clearly and often.  They are consistent in going out to share and disciple new brothers and sisters in Christ.  They are even walking 15 miles away to these villages!  We are continually getting reports of new areas that are seeking the Gospel and villages that have committed to being Church.  But we, personally, needed a change of pace; a time to refuel, reflect and remember all the Lord has done, is doing and still desires to do.   Though the schedule has not slowed down much, we got Emma settled in at the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor. She...

We have closed out the month of June at a lightning pace.  We had two short-term teams, family from another unit stay with us, sickness and normal ministry happening.  We have also found ourselves in front of the TV in the evenings to watch world cup soccer.  Naturally cheering on Argentina.  Unfortunately, our team is out and that is okay.  As we watch the games we see teams that are just better than others.  The day, location, weather, and atmosphere play greatly into how a team will perform.  And then, you have the teams that just don't care and are ready to play at any moment, any place, under any circumstance. This is how we desire to live out our mission life.  We desire to do what the Lord has called us to do and see Him glorified in all aspects of our lives and at all times.  We normally are this way.  I think on a few occasions you will find us not ready but for the most part we are prepared and ready for action. We really hav...