June 2005

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Praises

• Thank you for your encouragement and prayer!!!


• The Lord continues to bring amazing people into our lives!

Prayer Requests

• Pray for the completion of our ministry team! For more monthly financial partners and as well people who will commit to pray regulary for us. Also for more opportunities to share with Bible Studies and Sunday School Classes.


• Pray for our patience and understanding as we trust in the Lord’s timing during this last stretch!


• Pray for the Elder board at Christ Chapel Bible Church as they consider supporting us monthly (decision to be made in August).


• Pray for safe travel to Fort Collins and Denver, Colorado July 20 through August 2nd.

Missions Sunday with 3rd and 4th Graders
During the summer months, our church in Fort Worth invites missionaries from all over the world to teach some of the youth about World Missions. Earlier this month, we had the opportunity to introduce our mission work in Germany and Western Europe to some of the youth. For a fun activity, they completed a few tasks to learn a little about Germany. From putting together a puzzle map of Germany, to translating a Bible verse from German to English, and of course sampling some German cuisine (Bratwurst and Black Forest cup-cakes...see below right). In the end they were given some trivia about Germany, us, and our ministry. After the activity was over, we then talked with the kids and opened their eyes to how mission work can include all kinds of ability (“... I have filled him with the Spirit of God in skill, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship...” (Exodus 31:3 NET). We also shared spiritual concerns for Germany and Western Europe, and as well ways that they could pray for the children of Germany specifically.

Progress in June
The month of June picked up some pace over the previous month since returning from our cultural training in Orlando, Florida. We had the wonderful opportunity to speak to three Sunday School classes (not including the 3rd and 4th graders)! Each time, we were able to take 3 to 5 minutes to share our ministry, and then pass around a sign-up sheet for those who were interested in hearing more about our ministry or wanted to be added to our prayer letter list. Praise God because we had a good number of people who wanted to talk to us further. The busy part came in the week following our talks. We have had the opportunity to follow-up with each family to talk more about our ministry and our needs, and we are continuing to follow-up with many people! Please continue to pray for the Lord to bring more ministry partners to talk with us, and as well for having more opportunities to share with other Sunday Schools and Bible Studies.

All Staff Conference
While we often do not fully understand God’s timing, He continues to use our remaining time here in the US greatly for our benefit. Since we will still be in the US for a few more months, we will be able to profit from the vision, fellowship, and training at the All Staff Conference in Fort Collins, Colorado. The conference takes place every two years at the end of July. We will also have the chance to follow up the conference with a visit to Denver to see Jana’s sister, Sheena and some friends.

Praying for Germany and Western Europe
One way you can pray for Germany and Western Europe is to pray that the Bible will be recognized as something important, fresh, and exciting rather than old and of the past. The Gutenberg Bible was printed in Mainz, Germany in the 1450s and was the very first Bible to ever be printed. After being translated and printed in nearly 2000 languages since its first printing, pray that the Word will again thrive in Germany.

We thank you for your prayers!
Thad and Jana