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Oct 28, 2004
October 2004 Update
PROVISION -
The Lord has truly blessed us in many ways over the last year and a half. We've seen Him bring over 35 people to salvation through Bible Studies & outreaches we have held. We’ve seen Him bring these new believers together into a new local New Testament assembly in our home. We have also seen the Lord faithfully take care of our family’s health & basic needs. God is SO good!
Nevertheless, most of you know that we receive less than $1,000 per month in financial fellowship. Admittedly, it is not easy to take care of a family AND carry out ministry efforts on that amount of money each month. But the Lord always provides just when we need it, and our family never truly lacks.
In relation to that, some of you have wondered why we do not make specific appeals for funds for our personal support. Or, why we do not return to the States to go on "deputation" in order to raise additional commitments for monthly support. The reason is simple. A thorough search of the Scriptures reveals NO New Testament precedent whatsoever for a missionary or Gospel worker to publish their personal needs or to appeal for funds for themselves.
The prime example of this is the Apostle Paul. He and those who worked with him are the Lord's example and model of how missionary work should be carried out. Paul often reminded God's people of the needs of others (Romans 15:26-27; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5). But he never once suggested that he personally had needs which money could meet.
Instead, Paul was willing supported by those who sent him and by those to whom he ministered. (Romans 15:24; 1 Corinthians 16:5-6; 2 Corinthians 11:8-9; Philippians 4:10-19) Moreover, there was no form of agreement as to any of this -- no salary, no pledge, no promise.
In addition, in Thessalonica, Paul supported himself and those with him by working in his learned trade of tent making (1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8-9). He did this to be an example to the new believers of how they should work to support themselves and not depend on the church to support them. Indeed, the church is to support qualified widows and the truly poor among its number, not those who can work.
One hundred and seventy years ago there was a devoted servant of God named Anthony Norris Groves. He was determined to set out from England to Baghdad without any salary and simply trust God to meet his needs as they arose. Groves and his family lived for many years trusting God amid the most trying circumstances. Yet they found God utterly faithful. Groves literally lived by faith.
It was from the Scriptural example of Groves that George Müller was prompted to trust God alone for the supply of several large orphanages in Bristol, England, 17 missionary journeys, and the Scriptural Knowledge Institution which distributed more than 100 million Scriptural books, pamphlets and tracts.
It was from Müller's example that James Hudson Taylor was prompted to set forth the faith principles of the China Inland Mission (now the Overseas Missionary Fellowship), which became the first of many "faith missions. Sadly, these principles have been so "improved" upon that there is very little of the simplicity of trusting God left in much of "modern" mission work around the world today.
So, with the example & witness of numerous faithful servants of the Lord in both modern times in the Scriptures, we are convinced that our approach to our personal financial support is purposing to do “God’s work in God’s way.”
Does this mean that we do not want the financial support of our friends and like-minded brethren? NO! We simply want it done according to God’s plan & in His will.
As always, we earnestly covet your prayers for us. If, while in prayer for us, the Lord burdens you with a desire to fellowship with us financially, then we are confident that the Lord will also lead you as to an aount to give. Those funds will then be exactly what the Lord wants us to have, not what we think we should have.
Do you see the difference? God’s way is totally by faith and glorifies Him alone. Man’s way glorifies the method instead (i.e. the better the appeal, the more people are moved by it). We trust this makes it clear as to why we don’t solicit funds for our own personal needs.
On the other hand, we DO feel it is appropriate to share with you the needs of the outreach ministries our family and the local assembly are carrying out. In that regard, here are the current projects we would ask you to pray about. Not just for possible finances, but for their completion & fruitful outcome.
PROJECTS –
- Puppet Show - This month we have been busy building props, making new puppets & finishing the audio for a new Puppet Show we will be putting on at New Tribes Mission's annual conference at the end of November. It is amazing how much time and effort goes into one of these shows. But it is worth it as each show has a strong Biblical message & can be performed many times over.
- Vacation Bible School - We are also beginning to gear up for Vacation Bible School. We are planning on holding it the week of January 10, 2005. Last year we had more than 60 kids attend, with 8 trusting Christ as their Savior. We are praying for at least that many to attend this year. The theme is African Safari, & like last year, we are developing all the lessons, handcrafts, games, activities & snacks ourselves due to the high price of pre-packaged VBS material.
- Lending Library - Another project that is in the works is the Lending Library. Good, Biblically-sound books are difficult to find in Spanish. Even here in a Spanish-speaking country. We have searched high & low on the Internet and have found several publishers of excellent Spanish-language fundamental books. In the Lord’s timing we are trusting that we will be able to purchase them all & ship them down so that this project may move forward.
As always, thank you so much for your faithfulness in praying for us. Without your fellowship with us, our work for the Lord would greatly suffer.
Yours in His Service,
PRAYER REQUESTS
OUR FAMILY:
- David - Increasing proficiency in Spanish. Wisdom in teaching the believers in the assembly meeting in our home. Guidance in planning additional outreaches.
- Sherri - Patience & wisdom in preparing various aspects of the upcoming puppet show & Vacation Bible School. Grace & wisdom in continuing to disciple the women in the assembly. (Eight ladies just finished a 25 lesson series with Sherri that lasted 6 months. 100% of those that started finished the course!)
- Cameron - Endurance, safety, grace & wisdom as he works full time and pursues his flight training. (Cameron recently soloed & will soon make his first cross-country flight by himself.)
- Autumn - Grace to finish her Senor year, take the SAT test, & prepare to move to the States to attend Bible college next year. Guidance as she helps with the puppet ministry & VBS.
- Bethany & Matthew - Perseverance in their schoolwork, ever-increasing dependence & growth in the Lord, & grace as they help in the various ministries.
MINISTRIES:
- Assembly Meetings - Faithful attendance by all the believers, and their spiritual growth to continue.
- Puppet Ministry - Grace & resources to finish preparing the puppet show we've been asked to perform at the New Tribes Mission conference here at the end of November.
- Vacation Bible School - Wisdom & creativity in preparing for VBS the week of January 10th, 2005.
- Lending Library - Last month we shared with you our burden to build a library of Biblically-sound books in Spanish to help disciple the believers here. Pray for the Lord's provision for this project.
BELIEVERS:
- Luis & Grego – This couple had lived together for several years before they both accepted Christ last year. Through the teaching of the Word, they have realized they need to be legally married & have a clean testimony. Pray that they will soon be able to earn the money necessary to take this God-honoring step (Luis doesn’t have a steady job). They have set a tentative date of late November.
- Deo - She's delaying forsaking an improper relationship with her unsaved boyfriend. As a result, we've had to ask her to stop attending the assembly meetings. She's in the middle trimester of her pregnancy (which started before her salvation) & keeps hoping that her boyfriend will eventually marry her. However, he shows no interest in committing to her in any way. This is very typical here in Paraguay. Pray that the Lord will convict this young Christian of her need to do His will in this matter.
- Ramon & Sonia - Another couple we've had to ask to stop attending the church meetings due to their failure to commit to either stop living together or to get married. Pray that the Lord will get hold of their hearts & help them see the damage this is doing to both their testimonies and the Lord's Name.
THE LOST:
There are 17 people on our prayer list for salvation. We will mention specific ones from time to time for special prayer. Here is one we’ve mentioned before who is greatly on our hearts:
- Lazaro - The atheist Cuban husband of Andrea, one of the first believers in the assembly. He has asked that Sherri & I teach them English. This is a tremendous opportunity to build a relationship & begin to share the Gospel with him. Please pray that the Lord will open Lazaro's heart to the Truth.
Posted by David Pryor in Prayer & Praise | Permalink
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