What’s New with the Wilsons

Hi!

Attached is our Summer Update.  We hope you are enjoying your summer and staying “cool.” (Click to View or Download in PDF format)

May you be encouraged by the Lord today!

Because of Christ,

Marty and Charlene Wilson

Sauers-News: Update on Sara

Thank you, friends, for your many, many notes of encouragement, for your prayers and for your giving which made Sara’s surgery possible.   All of us have been so encouraged by your outpouring of love for our girl.  Sara, particularly, has been blown away at the large family of which we are a part!

The surgery went well and there were no complications.  We are grateful to the Lord for that.  Thank you for your prayers!

We are in day 6 and our girl is still in a lot of pain.  A couple days ago, it seemed she was turning a corner for the good (i.e., less pain).  However, the past two days have been very painful for her.

Friends who have had this surgery say recovery is very much an up and down process, not a gradual, steady, always on the upswing event.  We head back to the surgeon today (we were scheduled to go tomorrow) because Sara has developed many sores in her mouth.

Please praise God with us for …

• ·        the availability of medical care to even be able to have this surgery
• ·        the ongoing provision of gifts making this surgery possible
• ·        a successful surgery
• ·        although on a liquid diet, Sara has a good appetite and is eating well

Please join us in prayer for …

• ·        ongoing and quick healing with no complications
• ·        Sara’s encouragement
• ·        Good management of the pain

This Sunday, Ralph will travel to a Christian camp in L.A. (Lower Alabama!) to teach missions.  This week long camp is one that Luke and Sara always have loved to go to with Ralph the years we’ve been in the States.  Would you pray that Sara will be well enough to travel with Ralph for this week of ministry?  Even if she has to rest a lot, it would be good for her heart and mind to go and share in this ministry our family has been privileged to be part of for many years.

Please be much in prayer for the trip to Alabama.  Ralph will have 11 formal times to interact with campers and staff sharing God’s heart for the world.  God has used that time to help direct young people into missions in the past.  The hearts and minds of the campers are fertile soil into which the burden of God for the unreached can be planted.  Please pray for …

• ·        Ralph’s times of teaching, and especially the informal interaction with campers and staff, would be used by God to show these precious young people how God can use them now, as well as in the future, to impact this world for Christ.
• ·        The campers to give willingly to help raise money for MP3 players Ralph will take to Niger in November to share the Gospel with Tamajaq peoples (this trip will be a follow-up to the February-March trip)
• ·        Safety in travel

We’ll keep you posted on Sara and the upcoming camp.

We are grateful for you!  Thank you, again, for the incredible way you have communicated your love, prayers and encouragement to us during this time.

Gratefully,

Ralph, Maridee, Luke and Sara

Geisler News

July 15, 2011

Dear Friends,

Listening to the news these days can be depressing and discouraging.  Gloom and doom seem to be in the headlines everywhere.  Jim and I have been challenged to look beyond the headlines to the greater spiritual reality where God is at work in the heavenly places (Ephesians 3:10), accomplishing His eternal purposes.  It is amazing that we have been chosen by God to be alive at this exact time in history (Acts 17:26) and be co-workers with Him in carrying out His plan. News from across North Africa of turmoil, protests, and fighting can be unsettling, but God is at work behind the scenes doing some truly amazing things.

The country of Libya is a good example.  As most of you know, Libya is a country that has been on our hearts for years, and Jim knows from personal experience the cost of bringing God’s Word there.  Because of the revolution, doors are opening to get into Libya with medical supplies and Christian materials.  We know of couples who are seeking opportunities to work in Libya and bring Christ’s love to a land where there are only a handful of believers.  Please pray if God would have you be involved in the initiative to have 50,000 intercessors raised up for Libya this year.  You can check out the details at www.pray4libyanet.

We have some great personal news to tell you.  After almost a year of waiting on God, He has opened doors for us to return and live in Ojai, California.  Yay!!  It reminds us of Ephesians 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”  To be based in a town so dear to our hearts is like a dream come true.  God wonderfully led us to a double wide mobile home for under $20,000 that we can “almost” afford to buy. (It is a “fixer” but has real potential.) The church that first sent us out to the mission field is in Ojai, as well as close friends old and new.  Our goal for the next few years is to raise up an awareness of what God is doing in the Muslim world, challenge people to pray, recruit and encourage the next generation of field workers, and hold seminars for people wanting to witness to Muslim friends.

We would appreciate your prayers for our move (AGAIN!!).  Jim was in a freeway accident the last time we were in Southern California that totaled our car and left him with some very sore neck muscles.  The lady driving the other car fell asleep at the wheel and ran into him, causing our car to crash into the median rail.  Pray for healing! Our escrow will close mid August, Lord willing, and we would like to make some needed repairs on the house before we move in.  Financially we will need to raise a few thousand dollars to make this move happen.  We know that with God all things are possible.

As we look back over the years, we are very thankful for your friendship, support, and prayers.   You have made our journey more joyful by your presence in our lives.

In His precious bond,

Jim and Jan

Harding News – July

Click to view or download Bill & Grace Harding’s July Update in pdf format.

We hope this finds you well and enjoying the summer months.

Relax and sit back and catch up with the Hardings.

Blessings,

Bill and Grace

Update from Ralph & Maridee Sauers

Dear Praying Friends,

Our family has a special need.  For several years, Sara has had problems with her jaw.  As the problems intensified her orthodontist recommended we seek the counsel of an oral surgeon.  The conclusion of consultation with two different surgeons is that Sara’s lower jaw has grown more quickly than her upper jaw.  It is not only longer than her upper jaw, it has grown off to one side.

We asked if the recommendation for surgery was simply cosmetic.  Both surgeons affirmed that the jaw problems Sara experiences will intensify as she grows older and that now is the optimal time to address the problem surgically.

Sara is scheduled for surgery Thursday, July 14.  Her lower jaw will be broken in two or three places and then reformed to correct the problems.

We need your help in two areas:

1.      Pray for successful surgery.  Sara is understandably concerned with the pain factor and not knowing what to expect with regard to the surgery.  While she understands that the long term prognosis is good, that knowledge does not alleviate the accompanying concerns.

2.      Our financial part of the surgery (after insurance) will be about $6,000.  Pray with us for God’s provision.

Actually, with the outstanding orthodontist bills and some residual and ongoing medical bills related to Ralph’s health, we need about $10,000 in our Ministry Account to cover Sara’s surgery, the orthodontist and medical bills, and other ministry related bills we have.

If you would like to give a special one time gift to help with these expenses, you can make a tax deductible gift to our Ministry Account.  The IRS allows use of our “work account” (Ministry Account) to meet uncovered medically related expenses.

If you would like to help with these expenses, you can give by sending a check to SIM USA, Receipting, PO Box 7900, Charlotte, NC  28241.  Make the check out to SIM USA and on a separate note specify “For the Ministry Account of Ralph and Maridee SAUERS, #50663.”

If you prefer to give online, go to  https://usanet.sim.org/SIMGift/missionaries.php  Just type in Ralph Sauers (First Name, Last Name).  At the next screen, choose “Sauers, Ralph Jr. and Maridee – Ministry Account” and click the “Give” button.

Thank you for your prayers and thank you for considering with this special need we have.

Gratefully in Christ,

Ralph, Maridee, Luke and Sara Sauers

Davis Dispatch June 2011

So near yet …

We have now completed six months of ministry at Pontcharra. We are delighted to report that we have made many good contacts in our newly adopted city. Our involvement in the city Gospel Choir, Karan’s participation in a local craft club, and neighborhood gatherings are some of the ways we are getting into the lives of people. Several are asking questions, many are open to what we are doing, yet we are waiting for these people to put their faith in Christ. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE LORD TO WORK IN THEIR HEARTS!

Meanwhile, the local believers are growing in their faith and fellowship. They are all convinced that it is time to move forward in establishing a local church. We want to start a monthly worship service in September!

BUT … in order for that to happen, we face A MAJOR OBSTACLE:

We need a place to meet! With a core group of 14 adults and 10 children, we need a facility that is visible, easily accessible, and big enough for our activities and outreach. It is strongly counseled to not meet in a home, as this conveys the image of a sect to the French mind. In past years the Christians living in Pontcharra have found four suitable places for sale, and each one was blocked by city officials! We are exploring both rental and purchase options, but we will ultimately need authorization from these same city officials. I will be meeting with the Mayor in a few days to present our need. PLEASE PRAY FOR GOD’S INTERVENTION AND PROVISION TO ALLOW US TO HAVE A SUITABLE MEETING PLACE BY SEPTEMBER!

We are so thankful to be in the center of another church-starting project in yet another city that desperately needs the Gospel. Thanks for all that you do to keep us here!

Paul and Karan Davis

Thanks from Beverly Currin

June 2011

Dear Praying Friends,

I just had to write to thank you for your prayers throughout this year for my ministry here in Rome as Teaching Leader for Bible Study Fellowship.  It has been challenging for many reasons including:  my first year in this role, the difficult book that Isaiah has been to study (and I might add my first time ever to study it!), the closing of the Rome metro A line at 9:00 PM on week nights making transportation difficult, several transport strikes, sanctuary renovations at our host church, a number of women dropping out because studying Isaiah in English rather than their mother tongue proved to be particularly difficult, job transfers, travels, etc., etc.

Yet despite the obstacles, God was at work, and each week He sustained, enabled, and empowered me to bring 29 Monday night lectures and prepare for each Friday night leaders meeting.  In addition, I praise Him for good health.  I was not sick a single day which was a particular blessing since I was without a substitute teaching leader.

Our last class/sharing night was on June 6^th.   I have attached a photo.  It was necessary to combine the two due to a transport strike the previous week.  Once again, the Lord was so very faithful.  We had 31 women in attendance (not so many compared to some American BSF classes, but remember this is Europe—more specifically, Rome, Italy!  J).   Thirteen of the women shared how God had impacted their lives through the study of Isaiah.  It was a great time of giving glory to Him, and I believe He was truly honored through it.

The Lord undertook for me this year in ways beyond what I could have imagined, and I am so grateful.  Again, I thank you for your prayer support.   Please continue to remember me as I attend the Acts Institute at BSF Headquarters July 11-15, in preparation for our study in the fall.  Please also pray for new enrollments.  We currently have approximately 35 registered for the fall study of Acts beginning Sept. 19^th, and we are hoping for many more.  Thank you so much!

For the cause of Christ in Rome,

Bev

Mike & Nancy’s Summer Update

As we head from a busy spring into the slightly slower summer months, we want to update you on what God has been doing.  Our hearts are full as we’ve been involved in a myriad of activities, meetings, conferences, Bible studies and hosting many guests.

In this issue, we thought we’d introduce you to some of the wonderful colleagues with whom we have the privilege of working.  They are part of our on-field encouragement and accountability, challenging us to keep on for the sake of the Kingdom in Europe.

The staff of SHARE Education Services met in May for our annual planning meetings.  These are Nancy’s co-workers in the ministry of providing education assistance to missionary families throughout Europe, Russia and Central Asia.  Together, we put on conferences, answer many e-mails, provide achievement and diagnostic testing for children and offer much counsel to parents to help them make decisions about their children’s education.  God has given our team unity and joy in serving together.  One more couple will come next month to join us and there are also several associate staff who come every year to help us with conferences.
The development of digital education tools can be a great asset to families who are far from resources.  Over the next few months, Nancy will do research and testing on many new education programs and applications and present them to families as options for helping their children learn.

Early in May, Mike met with the Europe leaders of Community Bible Study International in Budapest for four days.  They have asked him to pioneer work in Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia.  This coincides with the peoples among whom we’ve spent most of our career as missionaries. In this new venture, he will seek out national leaders in each of these countries to train to lead the work. Mike’s heart hunger has always been to see Christ-followers and churches raised up in these countries and he sees this as a great opportunity to engage people in God’s life-changing Word and to develop disciples and leaders. He will continue to serve with Greater Europe Mission, working in partnership with CBSI on a part-time basis.

This month, Mike re-joined the Elder Board of our church, Danube International Church, after a year away from those duties.  The new board will include a number who have not served as elders before.  Pray for a smooth transition and for wisdom, unity, maturity and stability to characterize our work together as we lead this multinational congregation.

Prayer Requests:

Recently, the Hungarian parliament proposed laws that could seriously hamper the work of churches in the country.  The new law proposes that church groups that do not have a history of at least 100 years in Hungary or do not have at least 10,000 members will not be given legal status in the country.  The parliament is trying to close a loophole that has enabled some groups to register as a church even though they are technically a business.  But they are throwing the baby out with the bathwater in trying to resolve the issue.  Please pray that they will find a solution that will allow legitimate congregations to gain the status they need in order to do things like sign rental contracts for their buildings and carry out other business that is needed to operate legally.  Pray that they will realize the implications of this law on freedom of religion in Hungary.

Several years ago, in order to operate legally in Hungary, we established a foundation.  The individual who has been serving as president and driving force is in the process of returning to North America, so Mike will be stepping into the role.  Please pray for

the necessary contacts to be made with the foundation’s lawyer and accountant as we work on the documents which must be changed to bring the foundation into full legal compliance here.

In our ministry to young international singles through our church, we have met some incredible young people who love the Lord and we have met others who have yet to trust the Lord with their lives.  In our small group of nine that meets each week, there are seven countries represented. Loneliness is one of the greatest struggles for these young people as they live and study or work away from their home cultures and families.  Pray that we will be able to provide community for them as we meet together.

Pray for Mike in his new role

as Area Regional Director with Community Bible Study International.  Please pray as this work begins that the Lord will make it clear what tasks need to be addressed and in what order.  Pray for God to lead him to believers who have the heart and ability to lead the work in each country.

Who is equal to these tasks?  Not us!  But our God takes us beyond our capability and capacity into a place where our faith may grow and His glory may shine!

For those of you who have Facebook accounts, check out these two pages:

Greater Europe Mission

&

Pray Europe

You’ll find prayer requests and stories about what God is doing in Europe.

Mike & Nancy Elwood

Davis Dispatch

The news you DON’T hear about France!

It’s all one hears on the news. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, high-profile French politician and Director of the IMF, is accused of assaulting a maid in a New York hotel. The French are furious — but not about one of their leaders being accused of marital infidelity. Everyone does that. “C’est la vie!” What upsets people here is that this man has been humiliated by the American legal system. Should he eventually be found guilty of violence, that’s another matter. In the meantime, “leave him alone,” they say. It’s another example of the spiritual void in France.

Meanwhile, very important events are happening in France that the media does not broadcast:

1) Last month we had the joy of attending a baptism in Albertville. Seven people gave their testimonies before a crowd of 300 people. Some of them were young people with whom we had worked during our ministry in Albertville. What a joy to see them publicly declare their faith in Christ!

2) TEAM held an All-Europe Consultation on Church-Planting. We grappled with how to make true disciples of Jesus Christ in cultures like France where secularism, humanism and consumerism are taken for granted. We came away with fresh insights and renewed faith to see new communities of believers started in the contexts where we live. (Since this event was held near Paris, we TEAM-France missionaries also had fun serving as tour guides.)

3) This past weekend 130 men who live in the Alps region attended a 24-hour Christian men’s gathering to discuss and recommit ourselves to be men of God in our homes, churches, and communities. Imagine the impact that will have!

Upcoming events that the press will not tell you about:

   * May 27 is France’s annual “Fête des voisins” (Neighborhood Day). Everyone is encouraged to gather with their neighbors over a snack or meal to get to know each other and have a good time. We invited the five other families living in our apartment stairwell to an informal get-together; two neighbors have already said they will come! Please pray that we can start building relationships with these people who live so close and yet are so far from the Lord!

   * June 12: Our 35th wedding anniversary!

Thanks again for your support!

Paul and Karan Davis

Joe Kay Harding – News

On way to China and some very exciting news!

Warmest greetings to you!

I’m writing you flying over the north pole to China. You may wonder why China? As you know Kay and I have been taking teams over to Ethiopia to serve and build partnerships that transform lives and communities both here and there. It has been rewarding cultivating these relationships and seeing such change.

One of our Ethiopian friends was visiting us in Charlotte last month and we had the joy of introducing him to our churches’ partner in China. It was amazing to see the bond that formed between the two of them and their desires to serve each others people. As a result, a team of four of us are now going to China to have discussions with our friends and colleagues to explore how each can serve one another. We hope to have similar discussions with our partners in Ethiopia in September. I would appreciate your prayers that we will be a blessing to the many we meet by encouraging them to enjoy HIS grace and be faithful in making His glory known. It will be wonderful if we can be a catalyst to Chinese going to Ethiopia and Ethiopians to China with the purpose of individual lives and communities transformed by HIM.

There is some other exciting news that Kay and I want to share with you. We are going to be grandparents twice over this summer. Kelly and Ben are expecting the first week of August and Kristen and Andrew eight weeks later the beginning of September. Kelly and Ben will be leaving Ethiopia to have their baby girl here and then returning back to work in Ethiopia. Kay is at home preparing for these special arrivals and following up with several people that we took to Ethiopia. As you can imagine, we are really looking forward to this new chapter in our lives. We are thrilled!!

Kay and I want to thank you for the way you have been standing by us so faithfully. We are so grateful for your prayers, giving and words of encouragement. We only wish we could have a visit to catch up with you. Do let us know how you are doing.

With love,

Joe & (Kay)