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September 2005
Praise items
- Praise for a wonderful summer filled with family reunions
and gala occasions. From June 26 to July 1, sixty-four members
of our immediate and extended family were able to join us at
Arrowhead Ranch, a lovely retreat center in the hills east of
Los Angeles. All of our children, grandchildren, siblings with
spouses and many of their grandchildren joined us. We had daily
worship with several playing guitar and keyboard. There were
frequent times of sharing so we could learn what each person
was doing and how best to pray for him or her. Films, videos
and slides were shown to remind us of past fun times together.
Evenings were enlivened by Israeli dancing, square dancing,
ice-skating, games and a final program which demonstrated the
many talents found in both old and young. We praise God for
providing a wonderful setting for all these good times!
Praise for nearly 200 family and friends who gathered at
the San Clemente Presbyterian Church on July 2 to help us
celebrate our golden wedding anniversary. The church ladies
and Pat Kellenbarger, Margie’s cousin, with the help
of many of her family, served us a delicious luncheon in elegant
style. We had several members of our original wedding party
who joined us as we repeated our vows. Our children put on
a fabulous program of songs and skits that kept us all entertained.
Then they presented us with a Pakistani wall hanging on which
is printed beautiful current photographs of each family plus
pictures of our children at different stages of life. It was
such a joy to see so many friends. We just wish we could have
had time to visit with each one who came.
Praise for a further six days, July 4 to 9, spent with just
our immediate family (25 in all). We camped at Yosemite using
tents, sleeping bags, all sorts of cooking equipment, lamps
and coolers generously loaned to us by friends. Days were
spent hiking, swimming, playing games, singing, laughing,
and talking. The time sped by all too quickly, but we are
left with many photos and wonderful memories. God is so good!
- Praise that we were able to be part of the 100th anniversary
of the New Wilmington Missionary Conference held at Westminster
College (Margie’s alma mater) in western Pennsylvania,
July 22-30, 2005. Each year a strong appeal is made at this
conference to take overseas mission service seriously. About
1,200 delegates of all ages attend. Since there was no General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church this year, new PC(USA) missionaries
who are being sent out to the field were commissioned at this
conference. That was encouraging!
- Praise for our visit to Albania August 1-25 to participate
in the activities of Mark and Ruth Stoscher and our four grandchildren
there. The fourth annual women’s conference was felt by
many to be the best so far. A 22-acre forest area has been bought
for future camping facilities. Pray they may be given the option
to buy a former police post near their land, which would give
them a well-constructed building for camp headquarters.
- Praise that Nicky is the new nurse for Murree Christian School.
Esther (17), Luke (14), Elisha (15), and Ashley (13) are all
students this term. Nicky’s brother Symen is senior boys’
boarding parent. Pray for safety and a positive, responsive
spirit among students and staff during the coming year.
Prayer items
- Pray against unrest in Bangladesh. On August17 small bombs
went off almost simultaneously at more than 500 locations in
63 districts of Bangladesh. Two people were killed and more
than 500 were injured. The purpose was to warn the government
of serious opposition. Pray for Kyle Scott as he directs Habitat
for Humanity; Lois as she teaches the Bangla language in Grace
Academy where Jesse (14) and Isaiah (8) study.
- Pray for Kristen (16) who is in a boarding hostel in Thailand
along with her cousin Matthew Scott.
- Pray for Paul and Pat’s Village Workers’ program
and their singing teams that have been much used in weddings,
funerals, and other celebrations. A new opposition movement
has arisen this summer which tries to dissuade people from cooperating
with these programs. Pray for courage and wisdom as they go
forward.
- Pray for visits we plan to make to our former mission station,
Kunri, and Dale’s former station, Tando Mohammed Khan,
from September 1-7. Pray we will be an encouragement to the
workers in both places. A new project has developed recently,
run by Koreans for desert tribal people. They have great enthusiasm
and have asked for our advice. Pray we will be given wisdom
to help them avoid mistakes we’ve made in the past. Pray
for us as we return to take up our ministry in Rahim Yar Khan
on September 8. George McBane is already back and Gail will
come to join us soon. Remember them in prayer too.
Pray for the following programs planned in Rahim Yar Khan among
the Meghwals for September:
- September 7-8 – Lay leaders’ training session,
especially for those who missed the one held at harvest time.
- September 12-13 - Exams for students at the eight literacy
centers. Pray students and teachers will be encouraged.
- September 19-22 – Workers meeting for evangelists and
teachers to plan for October lessons and program.
- September 26-30 - Lead seminar to deepen the knowledge and
effectiveness of Christian workers. It is taught by an American
couple who come for this specific purpose. Pray for Keval, Rattan,
and Narsinga, our workers who take these courses twice a year
along with workers from other tribes. Pray they will grow spiritually
through them as we have seen them mature in the past.
Your prayers mean so much to us. Many thanks!
In Christ,
Fred and Margie
The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
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