Hard Pressed on Every Side,
Yet Not Crushed
“We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”
-2 Corinthians 4:8
The Middle East remains a place of deep spiritual need. It is still a region marked by Islamic extremism, deception, and widespread hopelessness. And yet, it is also home to incredibly beautiful people—people made in the image of God, longing for truth, love, and hope. This is hard ground, but it is ground that the Lord deeply loves.
More than 400 million Muslims live in the Middle East and North Africa, and millions of them have never heard the gospel clearly or personally. In many areas, there is little to no access to the message of Jesus, and believers often serve quietly, faithfully, and at great personal cost.
Recently, one of our workers shared a story that captures both the brokenness and the beauty of what God is doing. Her landlord, a woman battling cancer, was abandoned by her husband in the midst of her suffering. Yet she is not without love. Because a Christian sister lives in her complex, this woman is being cared for, listened to, and shown compassion. God, in His sovereignty, placed our sister there to be a witness of Christ’s love. Though her husband may have forsaken her, the Lord has not.
In my last update, I shared that I would be launching out in January. That trip was postponed due to physical limitations and ongoing medical issues. At the time, I believed my symptoms would be manageable and that it wouldn’t matter whether I was here or there. With the blessing of my leadership, I continued moving forward in faith. However, as time passed, my symptoms changed and became more severe, requiring me to pause and reconsider my next steps.
Putting the brakes on has been incredibly difficult. My heart is in the Middle East, even though my body is not able to go there right now. While the physical challenges themselves are hard, the thought of not being able to move forward in what God has placed on my heart feels even heavier. I am currently dealing with daily pain, debilitating nausea, jitters, heart palpitations and insomnia. Some days, just getting through the day requires all that I have.
I am under medical care and following the advice of my doctors as we work toward greater clarity and stability. At the same time, I am receiving wisdom, counsel, and covering from my pastoral leadership and seasoned missionaries who are helping me discern timing, obedience, and trust in this season. My living situation has shifted temporarily to allow space for healing and care. This is not a change in calling—it is a pause for restoration.
This season has at times felt very isolating. Yet I want to say clearly how grateful I am for the support I continue to receive. Through your prayers, encouragement, generosity, and presence, the Lord has reminded me that I am not walking this road alone. Your support—spiritual, emotional, and financial—is essential right now, and it is helping carry me through a season that I could not navigate on my own.
My heart has not changed. I still long to return to the Middle East and to be part of what God is doing there. That desire remains as strong as ever. Yet one of the hardest aspects of this season has been coming to terms with how my physical condition has reshaped what I’m able to do. I’m no longer able to serve in the same ways or with the same capacity that once felt so natural and effortless. I still want to speak of Christ freely, love boldly, and share the gospel with the same energy and consistency that used to define my daily rhythm. But now, even simple activities—things as ordinary as running errands or keeping up with everyday responsibilities—can require a surprising amount of faith and perseverance. Learning to adjust to this new normal has been humbling, stretching, and at times deeply painful, yet my longing to be part of God’s work has only grown stronger through it.
“We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."
-2 Corinthians 4:8
This passage from 2 Corinthians has become deeply personal to me in this season. When Paul says that we are “hard pressed on every side,” he is not minimizing the weight of suffering. He is acknowledging the very real pressure, limitation, and strain that comes from living in a broken world. I feel that pressure daily—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Yet he follows it with a promise: “but not crushed.” The weight is real, but it does not have the final word. God’s sustaining grace meets me where my strength ends.
When Paul writes that we are “perplexed, but not in despair,” I hear permission to admit confusion without surrendering hope. There are still unanswered questions about my health, my timing, and my future steps. But uncertainty does not mean abandonment. I may not see clearly, yet I am held securely by a God who does.
And finally, “struck down, but not destroyed.” There are days when my limitations feel like they have knocked the wind out of me. But I am not finished. God is still at work—forming endurance, deepening trust, and preparing what comes next. This season is not the end of the story.
As Paul continues later in the chapter, he reminds us that that we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we may feel weak, inwardly God is renewing us day by day. This present suffering, as heavy as it feels now, is not wasted. It is producing something eternal—something that far outweighs the momentary pain.
These verses give me courage to endure. They remind me that perseverance is not passive waiting, but active trust. Even now, God is strengthening me, sustaining my calling, and anchoring my hope—not in what I can do, but in who He is.
For His Glory,
Maribel
Prayer Requests:
• Grace to adjust to a new normal as I navigate the limitations of my physical condition.
•Strength and endurance for daily tasks, especially on the days when even simple things require faith.
•Continued passion and opportunities to share Christ, even if it looks different from how I once served.
•Clarity and direction for the future, particularly regarding my longing to return to the Middle East.
•Deep peace and trust in God’s timing, believing He is at work even in seasons of waiting and weakness.
“With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God's people.” - Ephesians 6:18
One of the most impactful ways to support me is through prayer. Your prayers are truly appreciated and absolutely crucial. Below you can read about other ways you can join the mission.
Join our Care Team: Our Care Team gathers on the first Friday of each month at 6:30 pm to pray for the needs of the team and our mission. If you're interested, please reach out, and I’ll share the meeting address.
Join my Signal Group Chat: Through my secure group chat, “Maribel’s Family,” I share short, live updates that can’t be included in newsletters. These include specific prayer requests and spontaneous needs. If you’d like to join, click here to download the Signal app and let me know so I can add you!
Spread the Word: Share our vision with friends, family, or trusted groups who may want to partner with me. It takes a community to sustain this mission. If you know someone interested in supporting us, please connect me through Signal or email.
Financial: I am currently in need of monthly financial partners. In order to do what the Lord is calling me to I have to pay for monthly language school tuition and living expenses. If you feel led to partner with me in this way please click on the button below. God bless you for sowing into the Lord’s work in the Middle East.
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