Grace Fellowship International Prayer Letters

Grace Fellowship is an international discipleship, counseling, training, and publishing ministry. It was founded by Dr. Charles Solomon, author of Handbook to Happiness, in Denver, 1970. There are GFI sponsored ministries in countries such as India, South Africa, Kenya, Philippines, Ukraine, Romania, Germany, Australia, and Brazil. The home office is at 3914 Nellie St., Pigeon Forge, TN 37863. Ph. 865-429-0450. Executive Director is Dr. John Woodward; Administrative Manager is Cathy Solomon. The main site is http://www.GraceFellowshipIntl.com. Grace Wilens is the GFI prayer coordinator. She writes, edits, and emails this weekly prayer letter, that is blogged here. Her e-mail is geewillymom@aol.com

GFI Prayer Memo July 25, 2008

geewilly | July 25, 2008 06:59

Dear Missions and Prayer Partners:
 
Piet and Helette Louw in South Africa sent us a letter with feedback on their appointment with their three pastors on the 22 of July. Piet's time was cut short by one of them to only 10 minutes, but he did manage to say what he had planned to say in a hurry. The Lord has opened the first door. They invited Peit to address the church board on the e of Aug. If he is successful and can convince the board, it will go to the broader church Elder and deacon meeting. If successful, it can open doors to other churches. Please pray that the Lord will open this door. Pray for Piet and Helette for time. They are not supported full time, and must still put in 8 hr days work.
 
Piet du Toit is now taking 20 of their marketing CDs with him to 20 churches that he is visiting with the Cross Message. Pray that these churches will invite them to come and do the conferences with them. Piet's wife Helette has completed the children's conference material and has done it with a group of children at school. She is now finishing the child counseling section. He and Helette praise the Lord for these documents, for they thought it was not possible to convert the adult program for children. Well, it carries the same message and is operational. One student has OF already been trained in it.
 
````` 

Sam Mathews, leader of The GFI mission in Kerala, India, writes to inform and thank us for our prayer support for the five days of leader's conference, held 22nd June evening to 27 June. There were thirteen participants, who were Christian leaders representing churches, Christian missionary organizations from Kerala, and outside Kerala. The conference was a blessing going by the feedback of the participants, and others who were there.

Sam was laid up just two days before the conference with a sprain in his back. Hence, he could not be available during those days, except managing to be present at the closing sessions. (The Lord kept him away and made him spend more time in prayer for the program!)

The faculty consisted of Prof P.P. Thomas, Dr. Alex Mathews, Prof JZ, Dr. Sushil Tharian, (Christian Psychiatrist, who usually teaches in our institute) Cherian Zechariah, Reji Jacob (practicing counselor who was introduced to our system of counseling recently). Sam was to take Exchanged Life sessions which were due to his nonavailability, handled by Prof JZ.

For this coming September 16 th and 17th the group has planned a Refresher program for all old participants of their institutes and also have their Annual General Body during the second day Annual General Body during the second day. This will encourage more people to come and be refreshed, and 
also be involved in the counseling ministry of GO all over India. This is the first of this kind. God willing, they will attend, to do this way, every year along with AGM. Please do pray for the coming ministries. 

Charles Ambaka, our man in Africa, who is currently in South Africa for several months, wrote an email with the joyous blessing of talking with every one here in GFI Tennessee office on Skype. He felt as if he had been physically visited.

Charles reports that the ministry there in Africa continues to be very exciting, with the Lord providing new contacts each week with different Pastors. This is an indication that there is a big spiritual hunger here and as they team up together with the DeBrutos, there is enough evidence of much fruit.

Charles had just finished talking with Brother Jose Diaz in Spain [translator of Ins and Out of Rejection], after Jose had been silent for some time. Charles sends Blessings to us all.

Cathy, in the GFI office, here in Sevierville, received an update on Linda M.'s brother, Dan, who is in the hospital. The doctors are not sure what is going on. It could be several things. He has had the radiation "seeds" implanted for the prostate cancer, and he has already had heart and blood 
pressure problems. He became so weak and disoriented on Sunday, that the doctor had him admitted to the hospital on Tuesday. Linda is asking, as she has before, for prayer for his salvation.
 
On Monday, July 21, we received the following prayer request from Lisa B.,  who is the wife of the worship minister in the music ministry at First Baptist Powell, TN. Her music ministry is missed. Lisa will be going to Dallas, TX, to see a specialist to help treat this "Mal Debarquement Syndrome" that has been diagnosed since seeing several doctors here in Knoxville, TN. It has been learned that she acquired this complex condition since going on a cruise a year ago. Lisa has struggled for over 14 months, with loss of balance, and dizziness from this strange illness.
 
With much prayer, Lisa will see Dr Fred Owens at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, TX, on July 29 at 8:00 am. Dr Owens is the specialist, who gives great medical assistance, for those who have suffered in this way. Lisa is praying that the Great Physician will enable Dr. Owens to ultimately heal her. She is still depending on the Word of God, believing His promises daily. Lisa covets your prayers. 
 
Grace Wilens 

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GFI Prayer Memo July 18, 2008

geewilly | July 18, 2008 13:32

Dear Missions and Prayer letter, Partners:


John Woodward write:

 

Linda and I give thanks that Laura gave birth to Luke on July 14th. He arrived in Toronto at 7lbs, 8oz. Please pray for Laura, Matt and baby; they are all doing well. Linda will be flying up July 19th and returning July 26th.

Chuck and I had a long distance phone call with our South Africa team this week. Charles Ambaka is there for another 6 weeks. They are enjoying this fellowship and equipping time.

Pray for Peter Louw there who will be meeting with leaders from the Dutch Reformed church. He is burdened to see these churches rediscover the Exchanged Life realities as taught by one of their pastors--Andrew Murray.
 
Let's pray for Frey Bedell, a GFI trainee from Liberia, who will be traveling to South Africa for training with the DeBrutos in August.  

Pray for our associates, Dominique and Eileen Gallou in Montreal. They are moving to a more economical home in that area. They need God's grace during these stressful times as Dominique gets established in a new job. he will be preaching in their church next 

GFI alumnus and missionary, Dan Watson, has agreed to travel from Taiwan to China the last week of November and conduct GFI training Changchun.



GFI is thankful that enough funds were donated that they met payroll on the 15th and other generous gifts were received today. John was told that a gift would be sent and that would enable them to proceed with the publishing of his book, Blessed Reassurance. May  God bless this project.


P.P. Thomas, in Kerala India has sent an update:

 

It has been a time of turmoil, but the Lord is gracious, and loving. With His strength, we are overcoming.

During the last week of June, GCI conducted a 5-day Leadership Seminar. Thirteen attended. They had seven people help with teaching, planning to have a short Refresher Course open for their trainees of the past, who ever would be able to come.

Though his mobility is limited by the after-effect of Chikkungunia that he caught in June '07, the Lord is helping to serve people through email, messaging by cell phone and one, by one, counseling of those who visit him with that purpose. Occasionally, P.P. will get invitations for lecturing and Bible teaching.

GCI needs some younger people to be added to the staff team. 


Thank you for praying for Steel. He was reconciled to his father while all of us were praying. He met with Jeanette and me and confirmed his salvation. He needs to be baptized and discipled.



Ty Epling also wrote that their conference was a blessing. They had 68 in attendance. A guy now wants to take their training to become a counselor. Another guy in Memphis is going to ask his pastor to host a conference. Thanks for praying for Seth. He and his father attended Saturday morning; he said he enjoyed it.

 

Chris Solomon wrote: 


Dad's surgery couldn't have gone better. He is walking today without crutches or walker--PLT. He is yet to have any pain.

A young Marine named James McHendry is on a very dangerous mission this week somewhere in the Middle East. Please pray for extra protection for his platoon. It is dangerous. He called his Mom to say goodbye.

 

Thank you for praying. 

 

Grace Wilens

 

geewillymom@aol.com 

 


Assisted by John W. Archived at http://geewilly.christianblogsites.com/blog

Please send GFI-related prayer needs and news to geewillymom@aol.com 


 




 

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GFI Prayer Memo July 11, 2008

geewilly | July 11, 2008 08:07

Dear Prayer Partners:

Nehlsie DeBruto, in South Africa writes with pure joy of the precious prayer letters. She  says it is uniting them in their work there.
 
They had a good weekend with brother Piet du Toit. They are now preparing for their trip to Soshanguve and Ganyesa. Nehlsie is doing a women's conference in Soshanguve the 8th and 9th of July. She asks for prayer that the Spirit will guide them and lead them to minister to His people in a way He would like them to do.
 
Also, for prayer for their hosts, Issac and Modise, who are undertaking the organizing of all their transport and ministering opportunities. The DeBrutos pray for their brothers and sisters all over the world and are so blessed to hear about all their blessings and ministry.
 
A letter was recently submitted via Grace Notebook contact form. It was submitted by Johann in South Africa, on the 8th with a request for prayer for his situation. Some people there who are launching an attack on him emotionally, by launching charges against him. He knows that these charges are not true, but it affects him, with fear and anxiety. He knows he is a believer, in Christ.. This may be the cause. Pray for the Lord's loving strength and peace for Johann. 
 
The GFI USA ministry needed several thousand dollars to make budget by the 15th and it came in just in time. Please continue to pray for the Lord's provision for salaries, office, and outreach. 
 
Dr. Solomon has written papers on on pressing issues of our day. He now has a blog at http://charlesrsolomon.blogspot.com. Pray that God will use that blog to reach out to a wider readership. 
 
John and Linda Woodward ask prayer for their daughter and her husband in Toronto. Laura and Matt are expecting the delivery of their baby any day now! 
 
Rick M. asks prayer for his 23 year old son who is struggling with an eating disorder.
 
The "House Cats" [email user name] (old friends) have sent a prayer request for their friend Rose and her son Mark. Mark was present when one of his friends was committing a crime. He knows it was wrong, and accepts his charge, and has asked God (and his mother Rose ) to forgive him. His concern is that he will be "dropped" back in Africa, with the clothes on his back, and left to fend for himself. He left Africa at age 14, and is now 27. He now knows no one in Africa, having no remaining relatives there. He is ready to pay for his crime here in America, but does not want to break his mothers heart. She is trusting God, no matter what happens.
 
[Dear Mark, You know the Lord. He may have a special place for you in Africa. Learn His word and how to be a witness to your (ethnic) people. Study now the Word; pack your bags for any changes and be ready to serve the Lord wherever you go. - G.W.]
 
Praying with you,
 
Grace 

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GFI Prayer Memo July 8, 2008

geewilly | July 08, 2008 07:04

Dear Prayer Letter Partners,

GFI staff member in Romania, Peter Mihent, sent in this request:

Shalom everybody, I need Yours prayers as I will teach into a youth camp late on June and beginning of August.

GFI headquarters has been challenged with a financial shortfall this summer. John is seeking to increase his personal support base and Chuck is resuming a more active roll in seeking to raise finances. We are consoled to see God's faithfulness in providing for GFI these past 38 years. As we face these financial challenges our prayer is to our heavenly Provider, that we would walk worthy of this missional calling and be good stewards of His resources.

This week the mission team of First Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge are serving in Guatemala. About 58 Spanish Handbooks were provided for them to distribute to Christian leaders there. May each book find a receptive and visionary heart there. 

Chuck is recuperating well from his knee surgery of June 30th. He notes:

Recently, our man in Liberia, Frey Bedell, was conducted a pastors' conference where he had 30 in attendance.  He reported 30 in attendance with some finding freedom.  

We have had another laptop contributed which will go to Nairobi to replace Charles Ambaka's computer that we just sent recently; it overheats and shuts down which is frustrating since he has to save his work almost line by line to insure against shutdown.  He is presently in Cape Town for 2 months of ministry and coordination.

A brother from Memphis, Jim, attended the Powell conference with his wife and sounds very supportive. He will be speaking with his pastor and others about the possibility of hosting a GFI conference later this year.

Grace Fellowship of India in Kerala has just completed a series of training meetings. Their governing board is scheduled to meet next week.

A Men's class from Virginia has offered to scholarship (for the first course) a leader in Holland named Lucas. He has been studying GFI materials and desires to take the GFI Counseling Institute training. Please pray for God's guidance and blessing on Lucas' life and ministry there. The Dutch Handbook to Happiness is ready to publish as funding becomes available.
 
Shawn at Christmas Place has written a prayer letter to forward a request on behalf of a lady that he works with. her granddaughter-in-law, Andi, has just been recently diagnosed with inoperable cancer. She is only 22 years young with a 3 month old baby and a 3 year old son who are battling health problems of their own. The 3 year old son is Autistic and the 3 month old is having problems of too much fluid on her brain. Please join Shawn in lifting this family up in prayer.
 
Please pray also for Steel Thomas. He is a high school junior who was recently saved. 
 
Praying with you,
 
Grace 

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