Highlights for December  2011

Chile - The Galis

There is much to report from Chile...

Bro. Gali writes:  "In our last prayer letter, we shared how we had some new families faithfully attending services.   These families continue to attend, and we are even seeing others that used to come only on Sunday mornings begin to faithfully attend all of the services.  We also requested prayer for Hector, Rosa Elena's husband.  Shortly after we sent out our letter, Hector began to join our services, and he has been faithful ever since.  As a bank employee, he has been able to help our church organize its finances better, and we now have a clear idea of our monthly income as well as a plan for the future.  We thank God for bringing in someone with this expertise, so that we can be better stewards of what God has given the church.

We also requested prayer last month for Paul and Angelica.  This family has been attending services for the past several months, and all of this time we have been praying for Paul's salvation.  The church has openly requested prayer for him, and has even prayed for his salvation while he is in the services.  Well, two weeks ago, while Paul was at home reading his Bible, God convicted him of his sins and his need of a Savior.  In his home, he asked God to save him, and he now wants to begin a discipleship course.  He didn't tell his wife what happened until a week after.  Angelica noticed that something was different in him, but she just thought that he had suddenly gained a lot of power in certain areas of his life..."

"Over the past few months, the men of the church have been playing soccer together on Friday nights.... There are several teenagers that gather at the corner across from our church building.  None of these kids have a very good reputation, but we invited them to play a game with us, and over these past months, we have a seen a change in their attitude toward our church.  We are starting to gain their trust, and they look forward to playing us each month.  We have also begun to play other groups from Calera de Tango, and we are using this time to reach men that would probably never attend a regular church service..."

Germany - The Duke Family

Bro. Duke writes:  "...we had a successful week of Vacation Bible School.  ....  Toward the end of the week, Henning, one of the men in our church, gave testimony to the children how he had been raised in a Christian home with daily family devotions.  He eventually married and began his career....  He was at the height of his career when his dad suddenly died.  This opened questions in his heart that revealed there was trouble in his soul.  At age 37, he consulted with his brother who brought him to a saving knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!"  There were many unsaved fathers in attendance who heard the testimony.  Please pray that the Dukes will be able to follow up with them.  

Another door which has been opened to them for witnessing is through their son's involvement in a local soccer league.  They have had opportunities to witness to the parents of their son's soccer friends.  Pray for fruit from this opportunity.  One of the families has been coming out to church.

Germany - The Parks

Bro. Parks reports:  "God is blessing the work here in many ways.  At the end of August we had VBS with 47 children in attendance... Although we did not have anyone saved, we did sow the seed, and watered some, too.  We hope that God will soon give the increase.  We have already had some families come to the church because of the outreach, and we are picking up four children on a regular basis for our Wednesday services.

We have had many visitors in the last several weeks.  The people of the church are faithful to witness to their friends and neighbors, and bring them to church.  We have recently had two German ladies accept Christ as Savior.  One had been coming for many months to both the American and German services.  She has a new joyful countenance on her face..."

Home and Abroad Baptist Ministries - The Williams

Bro. LeBron and Sister Libby are back in the United States after a successful time in the Azores.  Please continue to pray for the Faith Bible Baptist Church where they were ministering.   Brother Odom, the pastor they relieved in Azores, is doing well.  His treatments were successful.  He and his wife will remain in the states for another six months then return to the field.

Bro. LeBron returned to the states in time to visit his brother who had been recently diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer and given just a short time to live.  Bro. LeBron's brother was saved but had not been living for the Lord.  His prayer for his brother was that his brother would yield to the Lord so that he could experience His peace.  The first thing his brother told him when LeBron arrived was, "It took this for me to get right with the Lord and have peace." 

Maintenance for Missions, Ministries and Local Churches - The Peelers

The Peelers report they are busy working on the several projects which they went to the island of Pohnpei to undertake.  They have had much success in the work, but had a waterline break in the building and it flooded the kitchen.  They will make the repairs for this as well before returning home to the states.  Bro. Jack will be finalizing the installation of a new rolling gate at the Calvary Christian Academy very soon.  This project has been a major undertaking for him and his crew, and everyone is eager to have it completed.  It will help to solve several traffic problems during drop off and pick up of the students.

They also reported that the Bible Institute was in progress again.  Their student, Nucker, is attending.  Unfortunately, the place where the class is being held this time is quite a drive.  Please pray for Nucker to be able to purchase the fuel he'll need to get to the classes and for him to do well in his studies.

Bro. Jack also reports that he and Miss Melinda took part in a mission conference in November and that they have had several opportunities to witness, as well. 

Papua New Guinea - The Mullins

The Mullins are here in the United States for an extended furlough.  They are planning to return to Papua New Guinea next July.  In the meantime, they are visiting many of their supporting churches and catching up with their family and friends.  Bro. Ted has preached Missions Conferences in Tennessee, Texas, and Idaho.  Those conferences raised over 1.4 million dollars for the coming year.  They visited Olivet Baptist Church for its Mission's Revival in early November.  They were a blessing to the church.

Update on permanent visas:   the Mullins have received news that they have been granted their permanent residency visas in Papua New Guinea.  They are the first missionary couple to have this type of visa granted to them.  Brother Mullins is making quick trip back to the country to secure the visas.  

Portugal - The Newtons

Bro. Newton writes:  "Some good signs in the church lately.  The two college students we now have are still witnessing." 

Bro. Newton also noted that he is having opportunities to discuss the Lord through the choir he joined.  He said they are even singing a Portuguese version of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" for the Christmas season. 

He reported that their work on the Christian camp is ongoing and they are completing projects as the Lord provides.

Romania - The Lawrences

Brother Lawrence reports:  "We praise the Lord for Bro. Cornel who followed the Lord in Believers' baptism more than a month ago.  God provided us with a fiber glass pool that we used for the outdoor baptism.  Many came and it was a good service.  Please pray that Bro. Cornell will grow in grace and that God will help him in understanding the scriptures." 

He also reported that their church services are going well and many have been attending.  They were planning to hold a special Harvest Thanksgiving service Oct. 2, to teach the people more about God's goodness and grace.

Transporters for Jesus - The Worleys

The Worleys joined us at Olivet Baptist Church for its annual Missions Conference.  Their truck was broken down and they were awaiting repairs before they could continue with their work.  Bro. Worley reported on the Lord's goodness and provision and everyone was able to rejoice with him in the miraculous ways he supplies all of our needs.  

United States - Preacher Dan Meaders

Preacher Dan writes:  "We spent a couple of weeks up in New England with those fine folks and came home full.  We rested, and then had a three-day prison revival down on the Brazos River at the Wayne Scott unit.  The gym was full of men.  Three days we preached like a young man, (and) then hurt like an old man.  An inmate came up to me on the third day telling me he had been looking for God, and was having a hard time finding him.  I told him to listen well and move if he felt the tug.  What a thrill to see him move during the invitation and one of our men from the church knelt and prayed with him.  He arose from off his knees, his face wet with tears.  He was still crying when we had to leave the building.  That makes the weariness worth it all."