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.

 “Serving with the International Gospel Missions”  

prayerletterapr2015

April 4, 2015

Dear Praying Friends,

Back in India for most of this first quarter, and we thank you for talking to our Father for us. It's been busy.  On our return, We had one day to rest before a road trip to Adilabad town for six days' ministry.  I felt very privileged to teach four seminars and preach seven times, while Ruth spoke eight times to ladies and to children.  These dear folk are in our hearts forever, and we feel very happy to work with them for our Lord Jesus.

 

In two visits to Pune, the Lord allowed me to teach multiple topics including Pastoral Epistles.  Ruth and I also conducted a full-day Marriage Seminar.  In another place, Ruth spoke in three ladies' sessions, and I gave the Gospel to villagers, from Acts chapter 17.

 

 One of the main works I've been doing, especially the past 18 months, has been to teach groups of rural pastors.  The Lord has given me very excellent Indian brothers who've arranged these meetings, and have translated.  Since January 30th, we've been able to conduct 19 seminars.  I feel hopeful that the 500-600 pastors we've been teaching might be able to much better exalt our Lord Jesus and preach His Gospel to tens of thousands of members of their flocks, and to the lost.  In the past 18 months, the brother with whom I've done most of this teaching has helped me conduct 60 seminars for 28 batches of pastors.

Ruth and I made a quick visit to Singapore a couple of weeks ago, specially so that I could teach The Life Of Our Lord Jesus in at least 25 hours over five days.  It was also my delight to speak four nights in a missionary conference, and to preach four other times, too.  Our kind Singaporean friends invited Ruth to speak in ladies' meetings as well.

Please Pray:

• For Ruth and me as we plan to travel in the USA for a couple of months, starting next week.
• That we'd edify, comfort and challenge everyone we meet, in the Name of our Lord.
• For our safe travels, including back to India at the end of June, so that we may be rested and ready to pour ourselves out as drink-offerings, like our Lord did, among the people here.
• That the Holy Spirit would make us to be as pure and good as possible day by day.  And that the promise of II Corinthians 3.18 would continuously come to pass in our lives.

Chit-chat:            As 100ºF days have arrived here in South India, some weariness has come with it.  God is love.                We are thanking the Lord for all things, always.  He gives us many comforts by His Spirit.  And good, Christly fellowship is no small blessing.                           Ruth and I are looking forward to visiting family, especially our parents, in the next couple of months, and hope to be fully refreshed to get back to India to the work the Lord has given us here.                 As my friend and I have conducted 60 pastors' meetings together in 18 months, we're hoping to be committed to bring that number up to 100 by the end of 2015, with our Lord's help.    I'll be satisfied when the Lord saves this country.      

 The Schaefers

“Serving with the International Gospel Missions” 

990 Calkins Road,  Rochester, NY  14623      Phone:  585-334-9048