Thursday 30 July 2015

prayerletterjuly2015


The Schaefers in India    
 
July 16, 2015
Dear Praying Friends,

After visiting the USA for much of the past three months, I'm back home.  I thank our Lord for His kindness and protection.  While in the USA, it was a privilege to make a report of our Gospel work to twelve congregations.  If we got to see you in particular this time around, thanks so much for your warm welcomes!  We hope that you are refreshed in your holy faith in our Lord Jesus, that you prosper in body and soul, and that not only is your appreciation of Christ as Prophet, Priest and King growing as never before, but also that His anointing you by His Spirit to be a prophet, priest and a king for His glory is being learned and applied!  That's what it means to be “Christian”.
At present, Ruth is still in the USA for an extra few weeks, and I can't wait til she rejoins me here in India.  I'm not that great a cook, so perhaps I'll shed a few extra pounds while waiting for her to come!  I know I'm shedding some extra tears, for missing her.  Thanks for your prayers for us, as always.
I do feel very thankful that the Lord seems to be filling up my schedule with good Gospel opportunities, including a greater frequency of seminars for pastors in the rural parts of our state.  In only about my first two weeks back here in India, we've been able to teach 2-3 hours in seven pastors' meetings.  I've also spoken in three other places around Hyderabad and otherwise tried to encourage the faith of some of the brethren.  As I've shared with many of you, I feel ambitious to do tons more teaching to rural pastors, and hope our Lord would be pleased and glorified.  We are nobody.  And it's only by His grace we can attempt anything for His sake.  Keep on praying, dear friends.


Please Pray:
  • For me to enjoy protection and safety, especially on these Indian highways. 
  • That the effect of all that we do in Gospel ministry here would be far-reaching, to assemblies touched by the pastors we are privileged to teach, and even to later generations! 
  • For Ruth to finish up her additional time in the USA well, and that the Lord would bring her safely back to me here in India.  May He be pleased to continuously use us for His glory. 
  • That the extra finances needed to cover the expenses involved in traveling to teach the pastors in the rural areas would come to us from our Master's almighty hand. 
  • For our moral condition to always be on the up-swing, for we cannot do anything without our Lord Jesus' grace upon us.
Chit-chat:                    The weather is still on the warm side, though rainy season has officially begun here in India.  At home it is ok for us, though, as we were able to install air-conditioning for the first time since we starting living in the tropics in 1989.               We enjoyed many sweet times with family, especially our beloved and respected parents, while in the USA.                                In between teaching appointments, I have many “preparations” to do.  These include getting telugu translations of the notes for more of the pastors' seminars, and getting teaching materials into the hands of  those dear ones in Togo, West Africa, who have graciously invited me to come teach there later this year.