Photographic Memory
“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead…” Matthew 28:6-7a. (This rolling stone tomb was uncovered when the road was being excavated. It is located in the Jezreel Valley of Israel).
Remembering His Grace, Begging His Mercy
Chuck and Stacie Sneesby (YWAM, India) ask prayer for this Sunday—Resurrection Sunday—we are having a special celebration for our “family” here in our gulley. Please pray for this. Chuck will be sharing the truth of our sacrificed and risen King, in hindi, with our neighbors/friends/”family.” Pray for Chuck as he prepares the message, pray for the people that will come—for their hearts and minds and spirits to be soft and open, and pray for the kids and I as we prepare our home and make food…that His redeeming presence will be the foundation of each and every preparation, and that His peace and His joy will be experienced in a very real way by each and every one of us!
Praise the Lord for the baptisms of each one today. Pray that each one will continue in the grace they have received from Jesus Christ.
Pastor and Donna Rigsby will be traveling to Tucson next week. Please pray for safety in driving and that Mrs. Duncan will be in better health.
Praise the Lord for Mike and Berniece Cosgrove’s safe return and an enjoyable visit with Sherry and Heidi in Oregon.
Shirley Garrison returned to the hospital with more complications from her previous surgery. She is to be released Saturday. Please pray that Shirley’s health and strength will improve.
Praise the Lord that Wanda Slaven received confirmation for surgery. Please pray that all of the pre-op procedures will be completed. Ask God for His peace in Wanda and Don and their family, and that He will guide the physicians during surgery on April 16, 2009 at 3:00 PM.
Pastor Yoon and the Korean congregation are preparing for the Bible conference on the East coast to be held April 24 to 26. Would you join them in praying that many will be saved and the believers will be strengthened in the faith?
Praise the Lord for the wedding next Saturday for Chris Karcher and Maria Siemsen. Please ask God to bless all that has been planned as well as blessing their marriage together in Him.
The Spanish congregation is working on an evangelism event for the ladies on May 1 that includes special music from Belkis Deyanira. Ask God to use this special ministry to stir those who are being invited to attend and lead many to His saving grace.
Praise the Lord Carol Mead had a good report on her recent medical tests! While her heart is strong, one of the heart valves needs to be monitored. Carol is adjusting to a new medicine regimen. Thank you for praying. Keep Carol and Art in your prayer.
We pray for the physical safety. emotional stability, and spiritual awakening of the men and women of our military forces who are engaged in fulfilling their responsibilities.
- Marvin Funkhouser—deployed to Iraq for 18 months
- Coleen—a friend of Woody and Barbara Blalock
- Tony Loving—flying troops in and out of various areas
- Bryan Miller—in Guam, will be in Iraq soon
- Sam Im
- Steven Henning
- Jorge Avalos
- Ryan Bareng
- Jeremy Peters—currently in Iraq
- Jeremy Thomas—currently in Afghanistan
- Jason Kiser—currently in the Gulf
- John Kiser—currently in Iraq
Read the Bible
During the next three months our Bible reading centers in Hebrew History, from Joshua to Esther. Up first, in April we’ll read Joshua (24), Judges (21), Ruth (4), I Samuel (31), and II Samuel (24). The chapter totals are listed to help set a pace. Remember to include 3 Psalms and 1 chapter from Proverbs each week.
The suggested 2009 Bible reading guide (1 page) can be downloaded here.
“Let your hook always be cast. In the pool where you least expect it, will be a fish.”
Byron & Robyn Siemsen
April 1, 2009
Greetings Prayer Supporters!
Lessons on hospitality
Two months ago I shared about wanting to cook more for my neighbors, and I am happy to tell you now that I have definitely gained confidence about cooking. We used to mostly have young people over, but we have started inviting families and adults more. As a reminder, I previously confessed that I was shy about cooking for some of my neighbors who are “super-cook” moms. In the last couple of months, though, we have had a lot more people over for dinner than we usually do because God put a lot of people on our hearts that He wanted us to invite. Thanks to a kind supporter who took us grocery shopping at Sam’s Club, we were even able to replenish our food supply and stock up for future guests! Thank you, Lord, for giving us everything we need, including courage and our daily bread! We have found that inviting people into our home is the best way to hear about how they are doing spiritually and encourage them because it seems to happen naturally around a dinner table. It is a great way to share life together and experience the family of Christ.
Food and parties
Before I moved to the city, I was used to parties with snacks and finger food. During the past four years I have been blessed by Hispanic hospitality! Here is a glimpse into a party. They are usually held outside, even if it is winter or evening time. When I arrive, I try to remember to greet everyone individually and shake their hand. There is always an abundance of food, and when each of the guests arrive, the host invites them to sit down and brings them a plate of food. Coca Cola is the most common drink, but there are usually plenty of other soft drinks, with the exception of diet soda. Second servings are encouraged! Parties for kids have tres leches (three milk) cake, piñatas, gifts, and often games and rented bouncy castles. Hiring a DJ or a clown is an added bonus. Parties are an important part of family and community life—much more, I think, than eating out and going on trips. I like that!
Continue to pray for Byron’s efforts in forming relationships with Bible-believing pastors and churches in the community. Other missionaries have also been working on that and have even formed a pastors’ association. That way we can invite pastors to participate in a group in which they encourage and resources each other if they are not already a part of something similar.
In Christ,
Byron and Robyn Siemsen
World Impact, Los Angeles
Sergio & Miriam Ramirez
April 8, 2009
Dear Brethren,
Thank you for making available to many in Spain the interpretation “according to the Scriptures” of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ by supporting us with your prayers, offerings and encouragement. Most here got the facts, but not their true meaning.
PRAISE
- Our Lord’s help in Sergio’s teaching of an intensive Bible course at another evangelical ministry in Santander.
- The evidences of change for the better in many of the brethren of the church in Santander.
- The family in Mexico will be facilitating a car for our trips to visit our supporters.
- Jerry Parkerson and Craig and Barbara Prather will be ministering some Sundays in the church in Santander in our absence.
- The owner of the house in which we live has agreed in cutting the monthly rental payment in half during the six months we will be visiting our supporters.
PRAYER
- For wisdom for Noelia. She did not get the visa to come with us six months. She still may come with us for three months. She needs direction from our Lord.
- Victor still has not come back to our meetings. For a change of heart in this new believer.
- For the provision from our Lord for all the expenses of our trip to visit our supporters.
- For Javier, Carmelo, Carlos, Abel, Francisco, Marina and Marian, who will stay in charge of the different ministries of the church in Santander during Sergio and Miriam’s Home Assignment from May to November. For faithfulness from them and protection for them in fulfilling their charge.
- For the systematic teaching of Sergio on doctrines and the Bible in Santander and Baracaldo.
- For wisdom in deciding the itinerary to visit 35 churches and many supporting families. We trust we will be able to see most of you, with the Lord’s help.
In the love of the Crucified, Buried, Resurrected and soon coming Lord Jesus,
Sergio and Miriam Ramirez
CAM International,
Evangelismo en Acción
Nestares, Cantabria, Spain
Bill & Barbara Bielecki
April 10, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
Bill and I would like to wish you all a very blessed “Good Friday” and “Resurrection Sunday”
We are preparing for Good Friday at the Jail. We will be watching the movie “Passion of the Christ”, and be sharing a meal with them. After the movie Bill will be sharing with them through the scriptures.
We are praying that God would open their hearts to His calling. We are praying they will understand what the crucifixion means. That they would turn their hearts to Our Lord.
We have been preparing all week for tonight and the inmates show to be excited. Please keep them all in your prayers today and through the weekend.
We miss you all and pray for you as well.
Sincerely and
In Christ’s Love,
Bill & Barbara Bielecki
Lakota Native American Outreach
