28 July 2010

The folks on Dimond Boulevard have been very kind to us for these two weeks. The guest room at the church has provided a valuable place from which to work, handle correspondence, visit churches, and spend time during the week with believers here. The two weeks in Fairbanks were similar. On Saturday we drive to Sterling.

Today's schedule

9:45 a.m. AKDT / 1:45 p.m. EDT
Sunday school: Uruguay info and Bible lesson
Morning service: music and short intro to our ministry in Uruguay

6:00 p.m. AKDT / 10 p.m. EDT
Evening service: presentation of future work in Uruguay and message

Thank you for your prayers!

Two services in Anchorage today

10:00 a.m. AKDT / 2 p.m. EDT

5:30 p.m. AKDT / 9:30 p.m. EDT

We will be presenting our future work in Uruguay, asking for prayer, and teaching/preaching.

Thanks for your prayers.

Several requests for prayer from Fairbanks

Safe, healthy delivery of two new future co-workers: our second child, due in October . . . and . . . Matías and Kristine’s first, due in January! (And S and C's third, due in September.)

Effective ministry of U.S. Army chaplains at Fort Wainwright here in Fairbanks.

Salvation of LDS in Fairbanks (2 or 3 LDS buildings in the city).

Native Athabascan pastors to serve indigenous village churches. This has not yet been seen in Alaska. The obstacles are overwhelming, but so is the power of the gospel.

We long to see Thy churches full,
That all the chosen race
May with one voice, and heart and soul,
Sing Thy redeeming grace. (Watts)

Saturday we leave Fairbanks for two weeks in Anchorage, which will be our base for several meetings and a nearby pastors’ conference.

Important summer opportunities

Two churches here in Fairbanks are involved with two different summer camp programs this week.

MCBC is preparing for annual Neighborhood Bible School, which will be held every weekday evening next week.

A church in western NC continues with a summer Bible club program, held on Wednesday evenings for children ages 2 and up; they will run until the closing program on August 8.

Please pray that the Word of God will be clearly, accurately, and powerfully at work in these places!

The World Cup: Pray for Uruguay!

As Uruguay advances to the semi-finals on the African continent (and as I refrain from any comment on the Suarez thing), here are a couple of thoughts that might guide our prayers:

North Americans once again realize that there is a country of Uruguay (and that it is not located in Africa). Certainly this is one of the nations we should include in our efforts to follow our Lord’s last words: “Make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you. . . .” Certainly here are some who fit within the apostle’s instructions that prayers be offered for all men. Certainly God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

These events are immense in the life of Uruguay; there is an entire generation that has never experienced this level of victory. It is appropriate to thank God for His goodness to all (“common grace”).

Whether Uruguay advances or not, some will find that this event does not satisfy. Defeat will expose something of the idolatry that is in all of our hearts. Victory will expose something of the idolatry that is in all of our hearts. The emptiness that accompanies misplaced devotion can only be filled by God Himself. Dissatisfaction with false gods is a good thing. It is right that we pray for God to use this in His seeking of sinners.

As Matías has noted (and let me know if you would like his latest update), Uruguayan believers will use this event for special evangelistic outreach. We do well to labor together with them in prayer.

Let’s pray for good news!

Return to the U.S.

Saturday: Final day of Saskatoon conference. Good conversation with director of the new Bible college in Edmonton. Saskatoon to Edmonton.

Sunday: Presented future ministry in Uruguay during evening service in Edmonton. Very kind response from the church.

Monday: Left Edmonton. Spent night in a tent at Buckinghorse River Wayside Provincial Park. Chilly! We have left the stars behind until our return south.

Tuesday: Drove to Teslin, Yukon. Slept in car during steady rain.

Wednesday: Arrived in Palmer, AK, quite late, but ahead of schedule. Happy reunion with Deborah and Elizabeth! Thankful for Jonathan's help.

Tomorrow (Friday) we will drive to Fairbanks, where we will present the ministry in a couple of churches, spend time with friends there, and help in Bible camp ministry. Please pray for safety, fruitful ministry, and our growth in grace.

The Shepherd is currently leading through pleasant (remote, stunning) pastures.