Grace Fellowship International Prayer Letters

11/20  I spoke to the church this morning and thought I was to have a staff meeting this afternoon only to find they expected me to share the counseling approach with a group of 30-50  people, after which I had some time with some of the staff.  During the group meeting, I gave pastor Park's daughter the opportunity to share and she really opened up and shared the fact that she could not accept her step-mother who was sitting in the group.  After sharing how God had transformed her life, they had a long hug together with many in tears.  My accepting her resulted in my becoming her grandpa since she has never met either of her grandfathers; this paved the way for her accepting what God needed to do in her life.  It was a blessed meeting.

I met one lady who had read my Handbook 21 years ago amidst many tears.  She had dinner with us tonight which was hosted by a lady in the church at a Chinese restaurant.  Of course, brother Kim was with us, and we found that he is the brother of pastor Park's wife who died and the uncle of the lady above.  We will have lunch tomorrow with Daniel Kim and go to Etaywon afterward.  John will leave on Saturday after they drop me at the church when I will counsel with one of their elders who is extremely depressed; Dr. Yae will be my interpreter.  A young man who had ordered books from us came and brought his father who has caused him deep problems.  I will probably have lunch on Sunday with the younger and arrange some time with his father with whom I prayed today.

It has been a blessed time with much in the way of results and expanded vision for the church.  Also, they have a brother who goes to Yangon, Myanmar so you might send brother Kim the email address of Thauthau.  John has witnessed much that has been a blessing to him and his time in China should only add to that mind blowing experience for him.  I have not witnessed such blessing anywhere in a short weeks' time so you can imagine how it is impacting him!  One lady after another has cried on my shoulder and a few men.  Cath, you would have needed much Kleenex!!  I think the way is paved for further cooperation; hopefully, we can keep the charismatic emphasis in the background.  Dr. Yae still wants me to join with his international organization, and he has given us a constitution.  He is 4 years younger than I, but he said he could not have handled the physical work I have done here.  I praise God that He has given me a body which will sustain such effort, even though I am fairly wiped out at the end of the day.

Tomorrow will be a little easier day as will the rest until I leave.  It has been a fairly tough grind for a mature saint!  However, I believe it will pay rich dividends in the days ahead.  It is a little chilly here but not really cold.  I love you and miss you and wish you could have been part of God's blessing in so many lives; it will be tough leaving new friends when most will probably not be seen again this side of glory.

I just returned from Alba Iulia. There was a great time. I had 5 clients per day and in the evening I presented the conference material, I concluded Sunday preaching in the morning and evening service. Nobody exploited me like them but I am still happy that God used me with great power and some people came to know freedom for their lifes. Regarding the translation of Man as Spirit, Soul, and Body, I can find a professional and I will let you know soon what costs are involved on translation and printing.

Hendrik  and I were before God and asking Him if He wants us to go out and look for jobs. There were teaching post a small town about 200 km from Cape Town which would have been suitable for me and Hendrik. That would however mean that we would have much less time for Curare. We were willing to do that if that is what God wanted us to do.

While we were still praying and waiting on Him. People started phoning and sending messages of encouragement. We did not tell people what we were praying about and very few know that we will not be getting support form GFI any more.

This is one of the messages we received... from Ras Robinson,

"November 9, 2008.  The Lord says today that you have been faithful in His assignment to you. You have labored and served in honor and integrity. There have been times when you considered quitting but you did not. You have faced very lonely times and often you stood alone to face big issues. But I say unto you, you have been faithful in the little and in the great. You have stood your ground against the enemy of your soul. You have learned his ways and have turned My strategies effectively against this enemy. So, now I have something to tell you. Because of your faithfulness, I will now also be faithful to you. I am opening the windows of Heaven over you and all that concerns you. ..."

We were in tears. Even if this does not happen, we know that God sees us. And therefore we know that He sees you and He will supply. Our dream is that God will supply that we will be able to support you in the future. And I know God will honour that...

Our precious son, Jason, had his latest brain MRI at Mayo Clinic today in Rochester, Minnesota. The remaining 10% of the brain tumor the Dr. could not remove in December 2007---- part of this tumor is starting to grow again after all the radiation, chemotherapy, and other treatments.  Since they cannot operate on this part of his brain, he will be going on very aggressive IV treatments ASAP in Kansas City, KS  where he & Jeanne live. Needless to say, Jason and Jeanne are very tired from all this suffering, but their hearts are steadfastly looking to Jesus. We so long to live closer to them  but we are here in NC. Hopefully, we can see them soon. We so appreciate your prayers for him, Jeanne, our daughter Tracy and all of our family.
   

We took Steve to the ER with heart related issues. His BP and heart rate were extremely high and he was retaining a lot of fluid.  His legs literally doubled in size and his "gut" was swollen & hard. His heart was racing.....The resulting diagnosis is congestive heart failure.  Because he is "young", this was sudden onset & not gradual, and he wasn't a drinker or drug user, the cardiologist concluded that a virus attacked his heart, did the damage , and left. (We had a round of colds the month prior.)  The doctor said if he had been a drinker, this would have killed him...

Spiritually, it has been an amazing journey!  I truly believe Steve was on death's door.  While at home, God became his very breath!  In the hospital, Steve said to me, "Now He is my heartbeat".  And 3 different times, God confirmed that " in Him we live, and move, and exist...for we are His offspring." (Acts 17) ... I am SO THANKFUL to have Steve back!  We are knit even closer together and it has been my privilege to care for him.

Please pray that God restores his heart pumping capacity.  Also, that we would be diligent to establish new guidelines (limited fluid, daily weigh-ins, low sodium) and figure out practical stress relievers.  We are trusting God for our finances and praying folks will continue to support the ministry while Steve is on sabbatical.  To date, we still don't know if we will be receiving Mercy Care.  But we are taking things one day at time.

We moved in August so, in case you don't have our address, it's 115 W Kings Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85023.  Our phone is the same: 602-788-8740

Chuck Solomon and John Norman left this morning for Korea and China.  They have a non-stop flight from Atlanta to Seoul, Korea leaving 10:45 a.m. and arriving Seoul Saturday, 11/15, at 4:05 p.m.  The Koreans graciously agreed to pay for a business class seat for Dad so that he could rest on the long flight.  John will be traveling coach.  Please pray for travel safety and physical comfort for both Dad and John.  In the past, John has had ear problems due to cabin pressurization; please pray that during the 15.5 hour flight, John's ears will adjust.
 
They will attend Pastor Park's church on Sunday and will be doing a conference in Seoul Monday through Wednesday, 11/17-19.  Dad is speaking through an interpreter, Dr. Ye; he will have six sessions over the 3 day conference.  John Norman will be giving his testimony during this conference as well.  They anticipate 800-1,000 in attendance!!!
 
Dad's visa application to China was denied as the Chinese government has him black listed due to his arrest on his last visit, so John Norman will be going to Changchun, China on Saturday, 11/22, to introduce the Korean pastor, Pastor Park, to the Chinese pastor (who is Korean), Pastor Kim.  They will also discuss GFI training.
 
John will return to Seoul on Tuesday, 11/25, where Dad will meet him at the airport and they return to the States together.  They leave Seoul at 6:05 pm and arrive in Atlanta at 5:35 pm; they leave Atlanta at 8:01 pm and arrive in Knoxville at 8:54 pm.
 
As I receive reports from Dad and/or John, I will keep you posted.  Thanks so much for your prayers.  As you pray for Dad, please include Mom!  She's feeling well, but has bad days with her heart.  She also misses Dad when he's gone.
 
11/14

Dad called.  Their plane left Knoxville late due to fog and couldn't land in Atlanta due to fog.  By the time they got to the Korean flight's gate, they were already boarding.  They arrived just in the nick of time!  Thank you, Lord, for answered prayers regarding connections!
 
Mom just told me that on Thursday, 11/20, Dad will be speaking to the entire church staff, with the congregation being invited if they want to attend.

Shalom, I need your prayers as I am going to spend a week with a church in Alba Lulia (center of Transilvenia) instructing some of regional church leaders in Christian counseling...

We have the Ins and out of the Rejection translated and printed into Romanian language. 3000 copies. I would like to translate your [John's] book too...
Peter

The Governing Board meeting was a time of blessing. Handbook to Happiness is 
ready for publication, said Cherian Zachariah.

I am using several pills and capsules - vitaminis, minerals and analgesics. Improvement is on a stand still for the last couple of months. But I thank the Lord for the abilities still I enjoy and the opportunities for teaching and counseling. 

On last Monday I visited a person 30 miles away from here who has been bed-ridden for more than ten weeks under depression. I spent a couple of hours in the family. It is a believing family. They were encouraged. It is an evangelist who contacted me. We keep in touch about this brother.

Some of the messages of Grace Notebook remind me of the readings of decades ago. I forward them to several people.

I invest a couple of hours a day to edit the Malayalam translation of LORD TEACH ME TO STUDY THE BIBLE IN 28 DAYS by Kay Arthur. I will be thru with it by Nov 10. This is a labour of love for the Precept Ministries Society that has recently extended its ministry into out State. Our son-in-law James (K. C. Thomas) is the only staff member here. He is working at an income much lower than what he used to receive. Please pray for this ministry also.When I help this ministry I do it voluntarily meeting my own expenses.

Mary and I have the company of our grandson Appu who is attending an Engineering College near Kottayam....

Thank you [John] for the study on Job and Sufferings. I have forwarded it to several including uesi yahoogroup which means it will reach well over 300 people. Let us pray that the Lord will use it for confirming people in faith.

Love,
PPT.

... Our trip to Namibia has been postponed because the people there will have other things going on at that time because quite a number of them have been retrenched from the Diamond mine and they have to be sent off by their groups of which the church who invited us,is one. We are preparing for the teaching in Melkbos Dutch Reformed church.
 
Prayer need: Pray for our country as we are going into a phase where  all political parties are now  doing the right things and give promises to  better their own images. We are  excited about the new party out of the ANC ranks. Pray that this will not be  the cause of  violence. We see the hand of God  in the founding of this party.
May God bless you all.
Hendrik and Nehlsie

...Life here in West Wickham has been full and busy. I have been ministering with Turning Point one day a week, doing literature evangelism. And Monday through Thursday I have been working with Drena [Verwer] doing database administration... have been discovering I am not as much of a detailer as I need to be, but God's grace is sufficient.

Over the last months I have also developed some meaningful relationships at the local gym. One lady seems very open to the Gospel, I had her over for a visit one day and was able to share the gospel with her. She has many hurts in her life and is desperately looking for peace. Pray that she will come to know the Prince of Peace. Another lady I had seen in a class we both did, but didn't talk to each other during the class, she came to work on a machine beside me and began to share with me that she was battling breast cancer and would be going in for surgery soon. I have been praying for her. Another lady also shared personal health needs. So it has given me an opportunity to reach out to people right here in West Wickham.

I have been given the opportunity to do some practical work on OM's newest ship, Logos Hope. Lord willing, I leave on Tuesday morning and come back on the 21st of November. Please pray for this time. I don't know the details of what I will specifically be doing, but will be involved in doing some practical things like cleaning or helping in some other way. The ship is in Denmark, where it is being refurbished, it certainly has been a long process for all who have been working on this project. It is about a year ago at this time that the ship was sailing from Kiel to Denmark, where it is still being worked on. Pray that I will be a blessing and encouragement to those who are there. Pray for skilled workers as well, there is a great need for carpenters, welders and electricians.

During my time in Denmark, George and Drena Verwer will be in India, so please pray for them during their very full and busy time there...

In Him,
Sara

Tim and I had the opportunity to go to Colombia to visit my family. It was a time that we enjoyed and we made a good contact. He is a Christian man (Pedro)with a family of four. He has a bible study of eight men before work. He is reading Handbook to happiness and he was very touched by the truths taught by Tim. Being bilingual is a blessing, and he hopes to come to GFI some day.

When my brother Fernando heard the message of the cross  he was deeply broken. I could shared a few minutes with his wife. We knew that they had some difficulties and after that my brother told us that they are doing much better. We hope that Fernando is reading Handbook to Happiness now. Please pray for them. 

The month of October saw me visit Western Kenya to celebrate victory with a Pastor who had entered into victory when the message of the Cross became a reality in his life.... He shared that after all the energies he had spend in Professional Counseling he had come to the conclusion that the only key to victory was the Victory that came through embracing the Cross . He has committed
himself to teach nothing but this message. He has over 20 Churches under him and currently busy planning for a schedule that will have me teach and do training in these Churches .

I also visited Uganda after Pastor H. of Vision for Africa invited me to speak in his Church. H. is a Pastor that attended Dr. Solomon's program during his last visit here. He entered into victory and thereafter sensed a call to full time ministry . After Maria Prean requested me to trust the Lord with for a Kenyan Pastor I recommended H.  Am glad to report that the Church has now 150 committed members who include several volunteers from different Countries in Europe. Several of these Volunteers have had me teach and counsel with some in the past.

There is a prevailing desire with most of them to have the message of the Cross ministered in their Countries. One of them has talked of a possibility of inviting me to Germany next June.
meanwhile H.  remains optimistic that the Lord will use him as an ambassador to reach deep into the Country of Uganda with this message.

    On the family front we are doing well by the grace of God. our second born ___ has just finished her final Secondary School Exams which upon her success will see her proceed to two years of High school before joining University . ________ is progressing well doing her 2nd year in the University , _________ will be closing for vacation on the 22nd of November . J____ continues to provide leadership to Women in  our Church  through discipleship and prayer ministry .
Kindly join in prayer as seek the Lord regarding an invitation to minister in Tanzania . Thank you sincerely for you love and support .

Event: GRACE FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL 
       "Understanding the Finished work @ The Cross"
What: Informational Meeting
Host: Wendy King
Start Time: Monday, November 17 at 6:30pm
End Time: Monday, November 17 at 9:00pm
Where: midland plaza community room, Maryville, TN

BLESSED ASSURANCE: that is what many do not have. So your book will be very relevant indeed.

During the last week I was delighted to be involved in teaching the Inductive Bible Study Method at two places, attended by about 140 people. A good habit of Bible Study will spare many people of several problems.

Grace Counseling India is to have a General Board Meeting on Nov. 4. Have a very delightful new month of ministry. The Prayer Letter keeps me informed as to what to pray for. Thank you.

On November 07th we will be on our way to India for two weeks of intense ministry and appreciate very much your prayers for us. November 11th to 13th  a Fermata is planned with pastors and their wives in Chennai, India. Meetings with pastors and women rallies follow in Delhi and in Punjabi (North India.) The 30th anniversary of TWR-India will be held on Nov 20th and 21st in Delhi. TWR broadcasts in over 60 languages in India and the Women of Hope programs are on the air in seven of them. Please pray specifically for the TWR leadership in India and for the Christian Church, especially in Orissa as they face tumultuous days of tremendous persecution.

A Canadian-Costa Rican family endured five hours at the hands of home invaders who even pulled a gun on the 82-year-old bedridden grandmother.
The crime started about 7 p.m. Wednesday night at the Duarte family home in San Isidro de Heredia, high in the mountainside north of San José.
First two gunmen jumped Nery Duarte, the husband, as he was unloading equipment from his vehicle. He is assistant operations director of the Cruz Roja and involved in search and rescue.
Quickly three more men arrived, and the five quickly brought the family under control, bound and gagged them and spent the next five hours sacking the house, according to Duarte. Held hostage were his wife, Pam, and children, Jonathan, 15, and Andrea, 13, as well as the grandmother, Margaret Ikonnu, he said. Initially the older woman thought that the bandits were some sort of Halloween stunt. The bandits let her remain in her bed.
When Duarte managed to get free, his only recourse was to call for help on a Cruz Roja radio that the robbers did not take. That brought the crime to the immediate attention of news outlets who monitor the frequencies. But Duarte said he wanted to go public anyway to draw attention to the insecurity.
He lives in a fairly isolated area which is why the bandits could spend hours removing items that Duarte said are worth about $60,000. The replacement value is much higher, he said. The intruders made three trips to carry away all they could, and they even took Duarte's socks, he said.
Also taken were the vehicle, a motorcycle and even the daughter's books and school uniform, said an e-mail circulated about the crime...
In his day job, Duarte works as a counselor at an addiction center in Hospital Clinica Biblica. He is associated with Latin America Mission Canada and had been in Costa Rica as a missionary for 15 years. He lived for years in Canada and his wife is from Montreal, he said, noting they both had worked for World Vision Canada...

Dear friends,
We are still here in Spain ministering. ... We thank you on behalf of the Spanish pastors for the translated books you sent us to give them ... We absolutely love partnering with GFI.  Please pray as we are in day 12 of our 35 days of ministry throughout this land and among its people and missionaries and leaders.

In His grip,
Bob & Joan 

I am on my way to Peru tomorrow and will be gone for nearly two weeks ... The speaking schedule will be very packed, if anything like the last time I went with Canopy there.  I will be going along with speakers from the Appalachian Creation Science Association and also from Answers in Genesis.  It should be a wonderful and blessed time! Lima, Peru: 10/29 – 11/11, Canopy Ministries. cclcanopy@yahoo.com

This message is more of a testimony.  We ordered books (Grace Discipleship Course) and they arrived this week.  We've been reviewing it for the past 4-5 weeks.  Just finished teaching a class of 40+ people in the Grace Discipleship Course.  We are on Chapter 2 and we were going to do 2 quick lessons.  The class lasted 3.5 hours and some people are getting totally free and its just a blessing! We will be ordering more materials soon.  I am looking forward to meeting everyone on November 7th.

• Main
• archives
• Albums
• Links
• Admin
• Send us a story!

• GFI Praise and Prayer News: November 20, 2008
• GFI Praise and Prayer News: November 14, 2008
• GFI Praise and Prayer News: November 5, 2008
• GFI Praise and Prayer News: October 30, 2008
• GFI Praise and Prayer News: October 24, 2008
• GFI Praise and Prayer News: October 17, 2008
• GFI Praise and Prayer News: October 7, 2008
• GFI Praise and Prayer News

• Weekly GFI Prayer Memos [34]
• General [4]

• RSS 0.90
• RSS 1.0
• RSS 2.0
• Atom