Present Needs and Prayers

A few days ago a friend of mine from home asked me, “what’s been your biggest challenge, and what’s your biggest need?” And I had no idea how to answer them. I spent a few hours thinking about the answers to this question and I actually wanted to share them all with you. First I wanted to share on behalf of the ministry, and second I will share from a personal standpoint.

People. Our biggest need as an organization right now is people, and me and a close friend recently took some time over a meal to outline this need. Many short term teams and individuals have made themselves available, and it has been amazing what the Lord has done through these people all the way up until now. I must, however, be honest about how this is no longer what we can rely on. While seeing new faces every few months has been fun for a while, what we really need is people who are willing to stick around for at least a few months. For lack of better words, it’s just not practical for the new medical team we are trying to put together (just because someone is okay with very high risk doesn’t mean the effort of training and implementing such person is logical/practical or at times even possible). We need believers who are firm in both faith and understand that life is a living sacrifice – even unto its end – and who are also willing to commit and invest mid to long term in the work that they do and the team that they work with.

Brothers and sisters, please be praying that the Lord would send people who are able to fill the spots that are newly necessary for the function of the ops we are trying to put together. Faithful believers with servant hearts, willing to invest and stay invested.

Support is a close second, for both me and the organization. Overall support for AJM in Ukraine has decreased about ninety percent within the last twelve months or so, and likewise my monthly support has also dropped significantly. We don’t need to be rich, nor do we want to be, but in order to continue at full capacity we do need supporters. Running medical ops is not cheap nor fun nor safe in most ways, and we do need your help. Please reach out to me or visit the * link * if you are interested in partnering with me or AJM directly I would be more than obliged to fill you in on as many details as I can. The link is also posted below…

***  https://ajesusmission.org/gabe-montanez/ ***

 

On a more vulnerable note, I think there is two things that have been an obstacle for me, the first being focus. Over the past few months it has become increasingly difficult to focus. While I have seen drastic improvements in what used to be crippling ADHD-like symptoms, my ability to focus on even simple things is just not what it used to be. These were not the only of my symptoms per say and t  his “experience” has been humbling to say the least. Please be praying that I will continue to show improvements. Second, I would say is disappointment. The weight of disappointment and all under/overlying emotions have been very heavy and managing this internally has been very difficult. I would rather not get into specifics on it, but in poetic words please pray that my feet would learn how to dance on such disappointment. I do not want the weight I cope with to tie me to the ground as I try and continue to walk.

This paragraph is unannounced but I wanted also to say how much I appreciate all of my friends and family back home. Thank you for your continuous prayers. I am grateful for you all and miss you very much. I am so happy to be back in UA and I so deeply wish I could share so much more of this with you all. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I cross your mind or if you have any questions for me, or if you have any prayer requests as well.

 

Below are some photos I shot from a silhouette shoot