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“I am the LORD, the God of all people. Nothing is too difficult for me.” Jeremiah 32:27 (see also v. 17, & Gen. 18:14.)

In my last letter I told you about a country in North Africa, where the Church once thrived, but later pretty much died out due to lack of Scriptures in their own language, leaders divided and distracted by lesser things, and lack of intentional discipleship.

Click here to read the rest of my August 2025 Prayer Letter.

“Who is like you among the gods, O LORD—glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders?” Exodus 15:11 (NLT)

Today in a country in North Africa, where the Church once thrived, Christ is virtually unknown. Mosques mark the dominance of Islam there. We may ask how the Gospel was lost to this land. One of our missionaries explains: “As historians reflect on this question, they conclude that the church quickly capitulated to the Islamic invasion of North Africa for three reasons: 1) lack of Scriptures in their own language, 2) leaders divided and distracted by lesser things, and 3) lack of intentional discipleship.

Click here to read the rest of my May 2025 Prayer Letter.

The LORD gave me a new life verse for my 77th birthday – Psalm 146:1-2 (NLT):

Praise the LORD! Let all that I am praise the LORD. I will praise the LORD as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.

Over the past several months we have experienced more illness and death among our retirement village residents than usual. Some are discouraged because they are no longer able to be active in the ministries they once had. Others need extra help with shopping or transportation. I do what I can to help, and there are those who help me with things like transportation for my eye injections and computer/internet issues.

Click here to read the rest of my February 2025 Prayer Letter.

“The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who hears this say, ‘Come.’
Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.”
Revelation 22:17 (NLT)

Because Jesus came to earth, conquered sin and death at the cross, and rose again in victory,
the invitation is open to all: Come, drink from the water of life which Jesus offers. I am grateful.

Click here to read the rest of my November 2024 Prayer Letter.

“… for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, God’s holy nation,
God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God,
for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2: 9 (NLT)

As I was reading this in the context of the whole chapter, it struck me that all who have genuinely put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ are one nation under God – without geographical or political borders – no wrong side of the tracks, no caste system, God’s very own possession! That thrills me.

Click here to read the rest of my August 2024 Prayer Letter.

The Gospel: Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried,
and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said…
So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the
same message you have already believed. 1 Corinthians 15:3b-4, 11 (NLT)

The Tsara people live on 2 mountains separated by a wide valley. The translators Matt has been working with are from the eastern mountain, but for two weeks in March, people came from the western mountain as well to participate in a community review of the Tsara New Testament. Three of the 17 reviewers belong to the Orthodox Church. Those on the western mountain did not know some of the key terms, but they were able to find terms that both groups understood. Praise God! The evangelical Christians had all been using a term for “honor” that the Orthodox don’t know at all. They reviewed about 83% of the New Testament.

Click here to read the rest of my May 2024 Prayer Letter.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV)

Corporate as well as individual prayer has always been our weapon of choice in fighting spiritual battles. As the world grows darker, we must all the more bring our petitions and thanksgiving to the throne of grace in order to receive God’s mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. Our SIM leadership recognizes this, facilitating prayer gatherings online as well as in-person.

Click here to read the rest of my February 2024 Prayer Letter

Here are responses to the Gurage radio program from four listeners. In Ethiopia and many
developing countries, radio is still the most widely accessible medium for hearing the Gospel. If
you would like to invest in this ministry, see the instructions at the bottom of the page.

1. “I came to this country to change my life and to help my family. One day I went to the
   market place to buy some things with my employer. By chance, I met an Ethiopian lady
   and we exchanged our phone numbers. She invited me to listen to your radio programs in
   the Gurage language. Now I listen all the time. I have decided to follow Jesus as my
   personal savior. Please pray for me to be strong in the Lord.”

Read the other three responses.

Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed… When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.”
Luke 1:42,44 (NIV)

Two women, one old and barren, the other a young virgin. By God’s sovereign power and
purpose, both miraculously conceived. Each rejoiced not only for herself but also for the other.

Click here to read the rest of my November 2023 Prayer Letter.