NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 2004

At the beginning of each new year we are faced with two challenges.  One is to look forward to the new opportunities which the Lord will place in our path for the upcoming year.  The other is to forget the past.  We can rejoice over past blessings, but they will not suffice for the future.  We cannot change the mistakes of the past so it is best to lay them aside, as the Apostle Paul did (Philippians chapter three).  Let us rejoice over each soul which has come to know Christ through the efforts of our missionary families during the past year, and let us look forward to the great opportunity which presents itself to reach the untold millions with the Gospel.  We may not reach them all, but we can reach as many as possible.

On November 30, 2003 the Lord received Bro. Jim Winters into His blessed presence.  Bonnie and the children were gathered at his bedside when he left this world to meet His Saviour.  Funeral services were held in Grants, NM on December 3, 2003.  Please be much in prayer for Bonnie and the children.  Bonnie plans to remain on the field and to continue to work with the Navajo women and children.  Pray that the Lord will give us another family to join her there so that the work that Bro. Jim planted can continue to go forward and many more Navajos will be won to Christ.  Bonnie needs your prayers and continued financial support of her ministry.

We received wonderful news from Cyndi Chapman in Australia that the last series of tests showed that she is now cancer free!  The doctors will check her again in a year, but we feel that the Lord has given her complete healing.  Pray for her as she regains strength and continues in the work.  Ken and Cyndi have done a wonderful job as missionaries there in Australia and they are still looking forward to planting a new church in the Northern Territory near Darwin. 

Bro. Jack Weaver has been released from the Kindred Rehabilitation Hospital in Arlington, and is now at home in Palestine, TX.  He has a portable ventilator and a motorized wheelchair and will be able to be up and about, at least a little.  Pray for Bro. Weaver and especially for Mrs. Weaver as she cares for him at home.

Ernie and Monoka Brown have arrived in the U. S. from Ecuador to begin their furlough ministry.  Pray for them as they get settled, have physical checkups, and begin to visit their supporting churches.  Pray also for the work in Ecuador in their absence.

The following missionaries have ongoing physical problems and need your prayers as they continue to serve the Lord in spite of illness:  Debi Harris, Monnie Bacon, Mary Gagnon, Gloria Higgins, Joe Hawkins, Sandy Janky.  Please remember them in your prayers.

I am happy to report that the Lord blessed us in 2003 with another record year in total offerings received for our missionaries around the world.  The final figures are not in, but the total will be almost $6 million given by God’s faithful churches and faithful Christians to reach precious souls with the Gospel.  Thanks to each individual Christian and to each church family for your faithfulness to the cause of missions.  Your faithfulness makes our ministry possible.

Tommy Raley