November 2002

Praise and Prayer

Praise Items

• Praise for a good Timothy group with four advanced students, two younger ones studying prayer, and four new believers who finished the Abundant Life: Basic Christian Teaching course. These eager young men are always an encouragement to us, even though serious Bible study is new for many of them.

• Praise for God's blessing on the AD2000 and beyond seminar, stressing the need to reach out to those who are as yet unreached—the vast majority in this country! Thirty people stayed at the New Life Center and over thirty more came to the meetings during the day. Most local churches or house groups in a 200-mile radius were represented, and there was a good spirit of unity and fellowship. Several who were at odds with one another were reconciled, and all of us were challenged to reach out more boldly and wisely. A prayer chain in the chapel (with 20-minute periods) interceded for the meetings throughout the day.

  One pastor was visited by a man wearing a bright green turban—indicating a very radical group. He demanded to know if he had given out videos of the "Jesus" film to a good-sized group of M. businessmen. He admitted he had, but added defensively, "There is no law against that." "No," his visitor said, "but I want to know why you didn't give me one? I also want to see it." So often we underestimate spiritual hunger.

  A senior police officer came to the New Life Center and also asked for a "Jesus" video. We told him we would send him one with the guard now posted here. "He will keep it for himself," the officer objected. "I want to be sure that you give me a copy." The Good News continues to powerfully attract prepared hearts.

• We have heard from many that the Memorial Service for Dale held in California was an inspiration and a challenge. Praise that the Lord is using Dale's death to bless many who never knew him in life. Keep praying for Nicky, Esther, and Luke who miss him sorely but are upheld by their faith and others' love. Pray especially for Luke who has found it especially hard to adjust to life without his Dad.

Prayer Items:

• Pray for George and Gail McBane who have been notified by the ARP Mission that their service in Pakistan is to be terminated by January 31, 2003. Funds for all mission projects (other than the hospital in Sahiwal) are also to be stopped at that date. No ARP missionaries are left in the country. Terrorism is the reason given for this action.

  As you can imagine, this is a tremendous blow to all of us, especially to George and Gail, who have poured their lives into this outreach program. We had to break the news to the seven literacy teachers, six evangelists, the cooks, watchmen and gardeners on staff who are supported through the New Life Center. The Meghwals have been showing increasing response to the gospel. Several times the attendance at Group 1 for inquirers and new believers has been over 100. A number have said they were ready to declare their faith.

• Pray for wisdom and comfort for the McBanes. After over 30 years of service, they suddenly have to turn their attention to employment, medical coverage, pension, and funds for their children in college. More important is the acute pain of seeing their Meghwal friends and co-workers abandoned and outreach to a responsive people stymied. Pray that other channels may open to enable the work to carry on.
  
  We plan to stay on here working among the Meghwals at least until June when our rent runs out. We pray that we will be allowed to continue to use the New Life Center for retreats and teaching sessions.

• Pray for Pat and Paul Stock who have postponed their return to Pakistan until December 2 because of the sudden death of Pat's brother, Cory. As far as she knows, he remained an atheist to the end, though she spoke to him and prayed with him often while he was in a coma, in the hope that even then he would be able to respond to the Lord's love. Pray for opportunities to witness clearly to her other siblings during these next days before Cory's memorial service on November16—that they may come to faith. Their e-mail is paulpatstock@bigfoot.com
• Pray for Sara and David Treece who are living in a Central Asian village among the tribe that they want to contact. They were unable to live with a Christian family as planned, so are in a Muslim home. Pray this will be a good experience for them. They are testing out health booklets to check on how cultural and acceptable they are. It is good language practice and a chance to understand the culture better. They do have a Christian language helper who can clue them into religious terms they need to learn. Their email is claypots@pobox.com
• Pray for Lois and Kyle Scott and family who are in Minneapolis for the next two years. Kyle is taking a course in management and needs a job in management to put into practice what he is learning. Lois also wants either to work or to get training in some field. Pray they will find the right jobs and training and that the children will adjust happily to American schools. Their e-mail address is kscott4801@aol.com
• Pray for Ruth and Mark Stoscher as they work in Albania. They are very encouraged by the response to the summer camps they ran. During the winter they have more time to spend in local church growth. Praise that Ruth's pregnancy is going well. Pray for a safe delivery in January or February. Their e-mail is: MRSto8cher@aol.com

Pray for the following programs we have planned during November:

• November 1: the dedication of the New Testament in Kutchi Kohli Gujarati. We worked closely with this tribe while living in Sindh. Our son, Paul, helped check this translation and is sad to miss this occasion. (This took place all night last night and was a wonderful celebration with worship, some newly composed songs, skits, and enthusiastic tribal dancing. Praise God!)
• November 2–7: We will be visiting Dale's home in Tando Mohammed Khan to encourage the evangelists and workers there. Pray that there will be opportunities to tour some villages in the area.
• November 8–10: We are leading Bible studies for the Language Project foreign personnel who are working on Bible translation in Sindh.
• November15–17: Timothy group doing Open Theological Seminary courses—about a dozen young men. Pray for lives to be transformed in this eager group.
• Nov.21–23: Group 1 for inquirers and new believers. Cotton harvest will be over so we hope for over 60 to attend this. Pray for responsive hearts.
• November 27–29: Workers' Meeting for evangelists and literacy teachers during which we must grapple with some of the problems that arise from the ARP decision to close the work. Pray for courage and vision as the workers face these great changes.

You have no idea how upheld we have felt by your prayers in the last difficult months. Your letters too have been so welcome! Thank you!

Fred and Margie Stock