 |
|
|
Grace Prayer Bulletin # 45
A ministry of The King's Chapel
2-28-99
This week we are featuring the Gaunts missionaries in Italy. The Gaunts are
currently in Sicily. Also we are bringing an edited update on David Straub
and some news about the Hamilton's trip to the China.
Tom and Peg Gaunt
C/o Jonathan Gilmore
Via Privata Caarmin N. 11
98040 Venetico Marina (ME)
ITALY
tgaunt@iname.com
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy (Ps. 126:3)
After our first month in Sicily, we realize that we cannot consider the
future without remembering the past. This has been quite a year for my
family and me. it has been a most humbling time for us and we have
experienced much grace.
Our schedule was quite hectic and the Lord called us to minister in ways
that were new to us. He was faithful to work out every detail and to equip
us for every task. He also called us to step out in faith when the next step
wasn't always clear. Getting on the plane without full support and without
selling our house was difficult, but we are convinced God wants us here.
John and Maureen (Gilmore) have shared a great deal with us and we are
thankful to
benefit from their experience. Of course, the Catholic presence is obvious;
and the Gilmores have told us that the Muslim religion is now the number two
religion in Sicily. Black magic is also practice here and is nothing to be
laughed at. It is not unusual for someone to put a fatura (spell) on you.
Not only are these people putting their hope in false religions, but they
are also drawn to material things. Most Sicilians have tremendous debt and
unemployment is predicted to reach 75% by the year 2000.
These people need Christ and we praise God for the privilege of being
involved in His work here. There are some ministry opportunities in which we
are interested.
You may remember me mentioning the AIA. The church in Messina owns land in
the country where they have held different camps. This would also be an
excellent place to have seminars to train nationals for the ministry. We
understand that the Gilmores have been praying for years that a foreigner
would come and help at the AIA. building should start soon and I hope to be
involved. This is where my heart is. We will see how the Lord leads.
Because of His Grace,
Tom, Peg, Lindsay, Machael, Matthew, and Natalie
Basic Prayer Request:
1. Pray that we would continue to adapt to the Italian culture.
2. Pray for our language studies, so we might proclaim the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.
3. Pray for the health and growth of the church fellowships in Rometta and
Messina. 4. Pray that God would give clear direction as to our involvement
at the Rometta church and the AIA.
5. Continue to pray about the sale of our house in the states.
David Straub Update from Reformed Baptist Missionary Service:
After sending this morning's update on David, Bob spoke with David, and has
learned that David had more seizures this week that have left him
completely worn out. This is obviously very concerning, since it means
he's had seizures in December, January and February. David desires so much
to serve the Lord Jesus, especially through RBMS. It appears, though, that
the energy he put into the article for the Missionary Update could have
caused strain that helped bring on the seizures this week. Please continue
to pray for David as he tries to give all he can to promote the cause of
Christ through the missions of RBMS...
...Last week David's ophthalmologist declared him legally blind. He cannot
see out of the left
side of both eyes. This has just come on in the last month or two. There
is debate as to what is causing it. One doctor says it was from the
surgery, because they had to remove part of the brain. This doesn't seem
to be the case since it just came on. Another says it was due to the
seizures in December and January. Still another dreadful possibility would
be that the tumor has grown significantly and is causing it. They will be
going soon to Johns Hopkins for tests to find out more either this month or
next.
Send Email to: robjenny@netzero.net
Copyright © 2001 . All Rights Reserved.