For the week of April 14, 2008
Vol. 12 No. 15

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” —Jeremiah 29:11


Africa

TOGO

Marilyn Scraver taught eighteen classroom teachers for two weeks. While in Togo she was also able to spend time with her former coworkers and the newer missionaries. She also met with three moms missionary moms to discuss their children’s schooling.


Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico

NICARAGUA

Andy and Diane Large. Two couples are requesting counsel for their marriages which are on the edge of divorce. Please pray for wisdom in counseling them, and for God’s special working in their hearts. May God use this crisis in their lives to bring them to Himself and under His lordship.


Eastern Europe

UKRAINE

Dr. Miriam Wheeler is on furlough in the US and recruiting a medical team for ministry in Ukraine for September 25 through October 12. Please continue to pray for Dr. Becky McClarren who is covering the clinics in Ukraine through May. Practicing medicine in a third-world setting is very challenging. Pray for safety in Miriam’s travels and for an effective ministry to supporting churches.

Bruce and Carol Bagley (in the US). Carol’s brother, Dale, was killed in a car accident on March 29. None of his family are believers.


Europe

IRELAND

Dean and Julia Langley have spent the last year in Nenagh, County Tipperary (near Limerick). Along with their Irish church planting partners and a core group, they are planning to open a storefront location in the town center that will visibly serve the community. This plan now requires location, means, and approval. “ABWE Ireland families now number three! These families (along with several in prefield ministry) are thanking the Lord for His provision and enablement as they step forward. The weak US dollar and high cost of living is a continual challenge (for all of Western Europe), but God continues to provide many opportunities. Our sufficiency is in Him.”

Tim and Kathy Laughlin with daughter Sarah have safely arrived and settled in South Dublin this past month. They begin their orientation year with Ballycullen Community Church, which is a church plant recently constituted as an ABCI (Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland) church.

Stephanie Kozick has now been commissioned by her sending church in Knoxville, Tennessee. She awaits the completion of her support that will permit final financial clearance from ABWE. She will also be starting her Dublin orientation year with the Ballycullen church.

Mark and Andrea Jones near the completion of their family’s Dublin orientation year in June, and desire wisdom to know God’s leading in upcoming ministry decisions. Grace Bible Fellowship in the Dublin city center has been a tremendous resource and host for them since their arrival in Ireland.

PORTUGAL

Gil and Denise Thomas are in the US with their daughter Denise who had heart surgery on April 8. Doctors were able to take care of two of the three arrhythmias in the upper left side. The arrhythmias were caused by the scar from her open heart surgery when she was three.


Far East

HONG KONG

Dave and Peggy Pardini. On March 9, the Hong Kong ABWE Mission (Hong Kong churches’ mission-sending center) had its official opening ceremony. This organization now has its own registration with the Hong Kong government and is now separate from the Hong Kong church fellowship. At the present time, they have three career missionaries on the foreign field. On March 16, China Baptist Theological College had its annual recruitment day. Fifteen potential students came to the event. But so far, no one has applied to come to CBTC next year. The Story of Hope and The Way to Joy are in their final stages of translation. Please pray for Lee Kwok Sung and Barnabas Chung as they do this important work in preparing these evangelistic and discipleship tools.


North America

CALIFORNIA

Steve and Karen Borders’ worship service has grown to standing room only. They held their Easter Service outdoors with 60 in attendance. They hope to move to a larger meeting place this fall. More than 15 children attend their weekly kids club. Some of their ESL students have attended church. Their church will host a meal for ESL graduates on April 26. On May 4, they will hold an outreach event in connection with Cinco de Mayo.


South America

BRAZIL

Dave and Patty McIntyre will begin furlough ministry in August. They are in the process of searching for someone to cover the preaching at Hope Baptist for the time they are gone. They have been serving with no other missionary colleagues for two years. They are hoping they will have the opportunity to recruit one or more couples. Please pray that the Lord would lay it on the heart of a couple to come and join them in Belo.

PERU

Glenn and Dorothy Budd (furlough) both received good news from their biopsies. Dorothy also learned that she will not need carpal tunnel surgery at the present. Glenn will see a back specialist this month to determine if surgery is necessary for his herniated and ruptured discs. They are praying that the Lord will provide their monthly support needs and new workers for the Chiclayo team, and for the expanding ministries in Northern Peru.