March 2002

Our prayer for you…

Dear Heavenly Father, we are bringing Israel to you and ask your precious blood keep Israel covered. The missionaries in that area as well as all over the world just keep them in your arms of protection. Thank you Father for your love and we praise you in all things.  Amen

Ed S. - Today has been a day like no other in our lives.  We are all emotionally, spiritually, and physically exhausted.  Our strong, active 12 year old son David had a MRI.  It showed that he has a bone tumor growing on his spine.  If he does not receive an operation soon he could end up paralyzed because the growth is pinching his spinal cord and nerve.  The tumor is bone and can not be treated with chemotherapy or radiation.  After it is cut out, David has to have a rod inserted and must wear a brace for 3 to 6 months.  The brace goes from the bottom of his spine to his neck.  As he grows his spine will grow and he will probably have to have more operations.

Kirk, Guatemala-we traveled to Honduras where we were able to join with a team from the Beaver Valley area of Penn.  In all, 8 churches made up this construction team led by Pastor Henry Howell of Church of the Living Christ, and Pastor Rich Liptak of Wildwood Chapel.  In 8 long days we were able to build a new church for a congregation that before had no place to meet.  We are blessed to be working with Pastor Roberto Ventura of the ADEMIC Ministries in Honduras.  Already another site has been chosen to build another church for next year. We are excited with the new doors of opportunity that The Lord is opening in Honduras.

Jack, India-Fiji was wonderful.  There were about 2500 leaders at the conference and they were hungry for God.  The first service started at 9:00 am and they would start arriving at 4:30 am so they could get a seat.  Fijians were some of the easiest people to preach to and be with.  They are very friendly and love the Lord. 

Take pride in your appearance.  You're God's representative. 

Don, Indonesia-Don is in Indonesia this week to fulfill an invitation made by missionary Keith to preach the Bible School revival.  Keith is the director of the Bible School in Malang.  Then, this weekend, Don will preach the Missionary Retreat also in Indonesia.  Please pray for a mighty move of God among the students at the Bible School and the missionaries in Indonesia.   Pray for strength and good health for Don while he ministers there and that the Lord will use him in a great way.

Able, Italy-On February 4th we finally had the signature with the Mayor of the City of Frosinone for an "Inter-religious" document which guarantees us a time to go to the public schools and share with the students and teachers about our beliefs! Not that we are happy that other ..."non-born again" religions have the same rights, but since one way or another the Catholics have their weekly hour already, and the "press" is already giving the Muslims their time, at least this way we are not left out.

Pennie, Jamaica-RE:  My parents - Gary and Leona Plasman  You may have already heard but let me pass on to you the news of my parents.  My mother (79) and dad (84) were in Florida visiting her daughter.  While my mother, (who has no business driving a car due to age and physical difficulties) was driving my dad, she suffered a diabetic blackout.  As a result, 4 cars were seriously damaged - their car totally.  My dad has Alzheimer's and likely has no recollection of the accident.  Thankfully, his pain across his chest was from the seatbelt and not his heart and my mother's injuries are primarily her legs.  She had slumped down from the blackout and the airbag held her there and as the three cars hit them, her legs were trapped.  Neither parent's injuries are life threatening. The Lord kept them, that neither has memories of the incident. 

Be a seed sower instead of a soil inspector.
Keep your business deals honest.  That will speak volumes about your character.

Ed S - First of we would like to thank each one of you for your prayers for our 12 year old son David.  12 days ago he was diagnosed with osteoblastoma (a spinal tumor).  The neurosurgeon told us that we needed to operate on him within two weeks or he could be paralyzed for life.  This operation would require a rod in his back. Since that time we have been to two of the best children's hospitals in the USA both located in Chicago.  The top neurologist at Loyola Hospital called us last night with some good news!  He took David's MRI to 12 specialists for further consultation and they all agreed that David does need an operation but the operation can wait until he is finished growing, (probably when he is around 17 years old) that is, unless he starts to have problems with his central nerve being crimped.  In that case he would need to have an immediate operation .  At the present time David is pain free, and he has even been cleared to participate in noncontact sports.  The Lord has shown us his mercy.

Donald S, Philippines- TRIP TO SOUTH KOREA.  Pastor Ian McKay of Australia and myself just returned from a three day fellowship in South Korea, where more than 150 people gathered from several churches and fellowships.  Most were Filipinos working in Korea who came from our churches here in the Philippines.  We also had a Nigerian brother attend, as well as a dozen or more Koreans.  The Conference was held at Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho's prayer mountain, about one hour outside of Seoul.

David K, Brazil-David is working hard on writing a book on "Effective Ministry Teams
that Change the World."  He keeps getting sidelined by a variety of other pressures (including people care and the usual avalanche of e-mails) and is not making the progress he would like.  Please pray for him to have wisdom in the use of his time, and that this book will be a valuable tool for Brazilian leaders and churches.

Ludy B, Philippines-We are on our second planned area for the crusade, and the results is great with many souls saved & people got healed. We'd been to some remote areas as far as Tribal trip is concern. Had been to some part of tribal people in which we dont even understand a single words they speak.  However a young Pastor was able to interpret what they say. There are many things the Lord will be doing & as we'll keep following His will.

Steve M, Africa-This is a short prayer request to you prayer warriors.  I am on my way to Amsterdam for the Global 12 Project World Summit.  Please be in prayer as the World Zone Leaders from around the world converge on Amsterdam for 3 days of strategy meetings.  The Global 12 Project has a goal of planting 500 churches around the world this year.  We have taken the challenge and will start 100 churches in North and West Africa. 

Ollie L, Mexico-Yes, I received the box and was so happy and thankful for your kindness and love manifested to me.  Thank you so much for all the "goodies" and please know that I was blessed tremendously. I do appreciate your "newsy" and "witty" newsletters and I am sure that all the missionaries like myself have our day brightened when we receive them.

Paul A, Dominican Republic-The Lord has given me the opportunity to teach a seminar on Spiritual Warfare to all of the Christian Missionary Alliance churches here in the country. They are opening up to the move of the Spirit. I see this as a real opportunity to impact them for the Kingdom.  They have asked me to teach it to ALL of their churches. Please, pray for them to open up to the fullness of the Spirit, Spirit baptism and the operation of the gifts, etc. Pray they will embrace whole-heartedly what God is doing today and that they will become instruments of revival in the land. 

David H, South Africa- We heard from one of our Pastors that we had received a parcel from you.  Thanks so very much.  We will get when we return to South Africa.  We are anxious to return this coming week God willing and anxious to see the new doors God will open.  Thanks so much.

Richard D, Brazil-We are off of daylight savings time and the children are all back in school which seems to give us more of a sense of routine.  The beginning of the year is always a busy time as we get end of the year reports done, plans for this year's activities turned in to the proper government agencies and prepare for our summer camp.  

Bill S, Australia- Here in Wagga Wagga, the fellowship "Oasis Family Church" needs to relocate to a larger permanent location.  Also our household needs to move in June as the current lease is up and the owner wants his house back.  Spiritually, we desire for every facility of the church to grow and mature in wisdom and knowledge.  So...these are our three  main prayer requests. 

Bringing a little sunshine into your life...

Things are getting back to normal around here.  The night before Easter I was making orange jello and had the jello powder in the bowl and put the boiling water in it and POOF it broke (I thought it we pyrex) and orange hot water all over the counter, in the dishwasher, on the floor.  And when that powder jello gets just a little wet--what a mess.  Then I thought well then I'll make something with whip cream and tried to take it out of the container & into a bowl.  POOF! again--dropped a big spoonful out on the table.  Then I was at the sink and Retus had gotten a glass of grape juice and I didn't know that he was behind me and POOF ! he spilled the grape juice all over the front of his shirt.  And how was your day?  Thank you again Jesus you gave us something to laugh about.   

hugs2ya from

Jean

The months of November and December 2001 Missionary Encouragers sent out packages and boxes totaling $381.00.  Thanks to all then is helping Missionary encouragers bless others. 

 Use the gifts God has given you instead of dwelling on the ones He gave someone else. 

Don't carry grudges - they will never carry you.

Keep in touch..

Missionary Encouragers

PO Box 1978

Holland, MI 49422-1978 USA

Phone:616-399-2340 Fax: 616-786-0229

e-mail:  shaw@missionaryencouragers.org