Wales Day: 1
Brazil Day: 2, 20
England Day: 3, 26
Moldova Day: 4
Armenia Day: 4, 22
Canada Day: 5, 8, 11
Ukraine Day: 6, 16
USA Day: 7, 13
Nicaragua Day: 9
Ethiopia Day: 10, 17
Mexico Day: 12, 15, 19, 25
Scotland Day: 14, 17, 21, 28
Botswana Day: 18
Ireland Day: 22, 27
Lebanon Day: 23
Philippines Day: 24
Poland Day: 29
Venezuela Day: 30
Serbia Day: 31
Reports in this edition are from countries shaded on the map.
Stuart continues to have the wonderful opportunity of visiting nine local primary schools to take assemblies. This is a privilege to be in front of over 3,000 pupils as well as classroom assistants and Head Teachers. We pray that this door will remain open so that the pupils will be confronted by the word of God, be excited about the stories and will learn of a loving God who deeply cares for them.
He also continues to be invited regularly into one of the local schools to be involved in RVE (Religion, Values & Ethics) from the Christian perspective, answering ‘Big Questions’. Just before Christmas he was able to talk to classes about the importance of the birth of the Lord Jesus. Last month he answered a question about looking after our planet which allowed the Biblical teaching of creation to be discussed. Stuart is looking forward to returning soon to answer the ‘Big Question’ of ‘Is forgiveness always possible?’
Since Christmas the numbers of homeless people in Cardiff, and those that are in and out of hostels, has increased significantly. This means the needs are greater than ever. We are immensely grateful to those that donate suitable warm clothing, gloves, hats and blankets along with Pot Noodles and other food. The downside of the increased numbers is that there is, at times, less opportunity for conversations. However, many are still spoken too, John’s Gospels and Bibles are given out and many previous prison contacts are met each week.
In January Stuart was speaking to around 70 inmates in HMP Cardiff. One of the men near the front looked intently as Stuart stood up to speak. It was one of those moments where they both knew each other, but were not sure exactly how. Stuart had just finished reading and was about to start his message when it suddenly dawned on the man that they had met on the homeless run. He jumped to his feet and shouted across the prison chapel, ‘It’s the noodle man!’ to the amusement of inmates and prison officers alike. It needed a brief explanation and after the service many came to say that they also had been fed and helped by believers in this way. Please keep praying for these desperate people that know little kindness in life, that they will find the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour.
The short book ‘From the streets to the Saviour’ that Stuart wrote has proven popular in the prisons with stocks being purchased so that there is always a pile on the table in the prison chapels. Especially in HMP Cardiff, the books disappear quickly with about 25 copies taken after Stuart spoke there one Sunday. Please pray as this book gets circulated more widely that it will be a help in bringing others to Jesus Christ as Saviour and open Christian’s eyes to the plight of many, from circumstances and lifestyles that we know so little about.
We find the outreach bags a wonderful tool in the works that we are involved with at markets and shows. Unfortunately, several of the winter fayres and Christmas markets were cancelled due to bad weather, but along with Andrew, a great fellow worker, we are looking forward to leading teams at Spring fayres. Pray that we will be allowed pitches at these events. In April a further 35,000 bags are due to arrive via Andy Shanks in Northern Ireland.
Stuart visited Logos School in Cyprus again in January where he continues to use his experience as a former Headteacher and Educational advisor to support the school. The Lord has been at work there for over 50 years, with so many pupils hearing the gospel and experiencing a Christian atmosphere day by day. The numbers over the years that have trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour is amazing. Please pray for the school, that it will be able to continue to provide these opportunities.
STUART & BETHAN SCAMMELL
7/2/25
1 Chron 9-11
February was marked with tragedy as on the 21st of February, as students were coming back from university, one bus had an accident with a lorry and twelve young lives were lost. The main road from here to Franca has been closed since last year due to cracks on a bridge, so the bus had to travel on a diversion route. Some students were coming back from their first night of class, all between 17 and 26 years of age. The town was in chaos and shock and on the Saturday there was a community wake. Please remember the families who lost their young ones in such a tragic way.
Please pray:
• For the children who made a profession at Camp. School has re-started and the Devil will be busy.
• For K, as the devil has really been trying to get her down in the dumps due to problems in the family with her father drinking and then fighting in the home. She is only 12 but has to deal with such a lot.
• For health, strength and wisdom as we guide these young lives in the way of the Lord.
• For the parents of the children. Some have had to stop and think as often the children want to be more present at meetings than their parents.
• For Elaine’s nieces and her mother, that if really saved they may take a stand for the Lord.
• For the five young people who were at camp during Carnaval – they came back yesterday and it seems to have had an impact on their lives.
• For Jackson, who has put on some weight and his colour has improved. The doctors are quite pleased with him, at least he is no longer anaemic.
• Joel who has not been well the past few days. There have been quite a few cases of dengue and Covid recently.
• For Sr. Urias who has not been well recently and is going from one doctor to another for investigations.
Thank you for your prayerful support in this vast land of Brazil. MARGARET CRAWFORD 6/3/25
In December we welcomed 180 children from the local primary school into the Gospel Hall at Bracknell. They all heard the Biblical story of the birth of the Lord Jesus as well as a simple gospel appeal. They especially enjoyed ‘drawing Bible swords’ and finding and proudly reading references like John 3:16. One child privately asked if they could have a Bible which we were very glad to provide. We have had a good relationship with the school over many years and, until recently, were presenting Bibles to the two-form reception year every July. This has been stopped by a new RE co-ordinator with the excuse that the school is nondenominational. There will also be a change of headteacher in September and we pray they will be as accommodating to the various exhibitions and opportunities we have had for many years.
In February we held a Holiday Bible Club during half-term. We were glad of the help of Stuart and Bethan Scammell and the interest was good, with around 40 different children attending through the week. It was a joy to see parents and grandparents attending as well as the children, and many came to the prize giving on Friday evening. It is our privilege to sow the good seed of the word of God and look to Him for the increase.
Despite these good opportunities, my primary exercise remains the teaching of the word of God. January to July is a very busy period of speaking engagements including extended visits all over the UK, as well as the USA, Canada and Slovakia. It is my great privilege to serve the Lord in this way and to seek to encourage the saints in the Scriptures.
We feel the burden to help the local area and recent visits have included a study weekend at Basingstoke on the subject of “The Worship of the Offerings”. Many of us have enjoyed the beauty of Christ in the offerings for years, but it is good to open the eyes of a rising generation and hopefully stimulate them to further study and worship. There was also a visit to Pamber Heath for four consecutive nights of ministry on “Keys to Open the Epistles”. It is so important to remind ourselves of the broad structural principles of such essential epistles. The interest and fellowship of the saints was much appreciated and we do trust all were encouraged and edified.
C. 2014 DANIEL & ELISABETH RUDGE 20/3/25 Exhibition
We are very thankful to the Lord for the ongoing prayers and support of the Lord’s people for the work in Moldova. Moldova is going through an economically challenging time with the energy crisis which is creating much hardship for many people. Over the last few months, gas and electricity prices have increased by up to 400%. This has a huge impact on people in an already impoverished nation. Simple practical help is often all that is needed – such as a carload of firewood.
Children receive Gospel calendars, gifts and PBS lessons
Despite the economic hardship we are so happy to see that doors remain wide open for the Gospel! We continue to be so encouraged by the daily growth in the Postal Bible School work, with more and more children in schools in southern Moldova enrolling to do BibleTime lessons. We were thrilled in February when a brother from the north of Moldova approached us and asked if we could help him establish a similar work in his area. Of course, we were happy to provide him with resources and training. He then nervously approached the local government school in his village – unsure of the response that he would receive from the Director. When she heard why he had come, she invited him into the school saying, “We had a student commit suicide this week. We don’t know what to do! Please help us!!”. What an opportunity! We know that Satan, the thief, comes to steal, kill and destroy. It is wonderful that we can share with these young ones about the Saviour who says, “I have come that they may have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
Suicide is a rapidly growing problem among young people in Moldova. We know of three youths who have attended children’s camps over the years but who have recently taken their lives. We feel it is such a privilege, but also a responsibility, that God has given us to share the good news in Moldova.
In April we have a team coming to help prepare for the next ‘Step into the Bible’ program. Once it is up and running, we expect about 9,000 students from schools in the Cahul region to come through and hear the Gospel message. Associated with this, we are planning to erect a Bible exhibition on level 3 of the Bethesda Centre which will be open to the community to come and see all year round. Please pray for this outreach to the children in the area.
Please continue to pray for the work in Moldova:
• Pray for the weekly Bible clubs held in Zirnesti and other villages. Pray for all the children who attend.
• Pray for the youth meetings held each Friday evening in Zirnesti. Pray that these young people will see their need for the Lord Jesus and find salvation in Him.
• Pray as we prepare for the Step into the Bible program. Pray that this outreach to the schools will see many students and teachers come to know the Lord Jesus as Saviour.
• Pray that the Lord will provide additional English-speaking teacher(s) for our own school – Bethesda International Christian School
C. 2004 (Australia) MATTHEW & RUTH HILLIER 26/2/25
1 Chron 18-21
I spent a week of ministry in Charlottetown, PEI, in early January. Our subject was ‘God’s relational presence’, which traced God’s dwelling with men from Eden into the eternal state. Following this, I travelled to the Pennsauken conference in New Jersey.
Tim Burton and I have just concluded five weeks of Gospel meetings in a community hall on the outskirts of Bridgewater, NS. It was an area pioneered by Mr McIlwaine and Mr Hull; some in the community have memories of both and there is a softness towards the Gospel. Some from the area attended well and we seek God’s grace in blessing on the seed sown.
I then travelled to Cambridge, ON, for their Bible reading conference on the Seven Churches of Asia. From there, I went to Roseilse, Manitoiba, where we are considering the vessels of the Tabernacle in seven nights of ministry.
I have several Gospel and ministry commitments in the following weeks and months (DV).
C. 2007 JOHN & ELAINE MEEKIN 12/3/25
It was a great privilege, after many months of prayer and waiting on the Lord, to visit Lviv, Ukraine for three weeks in February. This was my first time back in Lviv since my heart attack and the full-scale invasion by Russia. God was very kind in granting me good health to travel and also during the time I was in Ukraine.
The schedule was busy from day one when we made a visit to see Mikilo in Stryii, a believer who had buried his wife and son (disabled) last year within 6 weeks of each other. The next day we visited Passagna orphanage and had a small children’s meeting with the carers and teachers. That evening we visited Vladymir and his family and was provided with a lovely meal and a precious time of reading the Scriptures together and praying with the family. The following day brought a trip to Sosnivska, where we commenced a children’s meeting 10 years ago, but to my surprise I found only 10 children at the meeting with 25 adults, many of whom were refugees from Donetsk and Lugansk…what a wonderful opportunity to preach the Gospel!
It was very sweet to remember the Lord again in Lviv with the small company of believers and enjoy a nice sense of the Lord’s presence as we worshiped the Lord in the beauty of holiness. I had the privilege of giving some ministry concerning the rich spiritual blessings that we enjoy “because of Him”. In the evening, I visited two families in the village of Lisnevagi with brother Ruslan, where again the hospitality was wonderful, with an opportunity to open the Bible and to speak of the Lord and salvation.
On both Tuesdays we travelled two hours south with a few from the assembly to the Gospel meeting in Ivano Frankivsk where Ruslan and I shared the Gospel meeting.
Our brother Dan Perez, resident missionary, works very hard in the assembly which was founded by the Lord in June ’23 which is quite a miracle considering the country is at war! There was a nice number gathered with at least six unbelievers with excellent attention.
Saturday evening, we went to the homeless shelter in the city centre where the homeless can come and stay overnight from 8pm – 8am. We took some tasty food and fresh fruit, but before distributing any of this I had the opportunity to open the Word of God and give a 15-minute Gospel message with Ruslan interpreting. We leave the results with the Lord.
Our visit to Lopatin orphanage was a good time with 60 children and 10 teachers/carers attending the meeting. Afterwards we had a short conversation with the director and
her assistant over a cup of tea and sandwiches, however it was quite sad as we were leaving to see photos on the wall of five young men who had passed through Lopatin orphanage and are now in Eternity as a result of the war.
Another day was spent at Bokava orphanage which is home to 110 handicapped girls, some physically and some mentally. It was a joy to gather around 40 of these young people, singing with them and telling a lovely story from the Gospels concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. Everyone received a special prize of a large banana. We were able to supply the home with adult pampers, cleaning materials, shampoo and shower gel.
Overall, the visit to Ukraine was profitable and encouraging, but also brought much sadness seeing pictures of fallen soldiers as we drove through different towns and in the city of Lviv. These were lined up in a very orderly fashion detailing their date of birth, date of death, the area they died and the cause of death – all decorated with candles and plastic flowers.
C. 2010 EDMUND & AGNES JOHNSTON 7/3/25
Wednesday 7th
‘But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.’ Acts 6:4
Itinerant work in the USA and Canada covers a vast territory which means long drives and flying often to speak at meetings. Along with the travels, there are Zoom teachings which require much prayer and in-depth study. My goal would be to teach through the whole counsel of God – from Genesis to Revelation.
To date I have completed and uploaded fourteen complete books.
Zoom ministry includes a daily prayer meeting at 6:00am CST with saints joining together from around the globe. We have been asking the Lord for three loaves.
1. A Revived Church.
2. An Awakening among the Lost.
3. Prodigals to be Restored to the Lord.
Mike also conducts a weekly Bible teaching with some keen young men who are eager to know the Book. On Friday mornings a verse by verse, chapter by chapter, and book by book live Zoom study has been established weekly for five years now. This study is for one hour and is recorded and put on my channel and YouTube. A further half hour of Q&A is also done weekly through Zoom. Currently I am teaching verse by verse through the Book of Ezekiel.
Recent travels included ministry in Nassau, Bahamas. Also, North Carolina, where a couple who had been attending the meetings professed salvation after a Gospel meeting. Then, an intensive conversational Bible reading on 1 Corinthians 14 and more recently a baptismal service with Gospel preaching, and unsaved in attendance, at the local assembly here in Missouri. One young man from the neighbourhood took this step of obedience. We give much thanks to God and give Him all the glory.
The power of the Word of God has been seen too, in a weekend conference where ministry was given on the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. One message on grieving the Spirit through bitterness and unforgiveness, resulted in two meetings that had divided acrimoniously several years earlier, being reconciled and coming back together as one. We give thanks for how the Lord worked unity with the brethren.
Upcoming ministry includes a conference on Prophecy in Connecticut, a week of meetings in North Carolina on practical lessons from 1&2 Peter, and an Easter Conference in Victoria BC Canada on Practical Lessons from the Early Chapters of Acts.
Prayers are appreciated for the following.
• Preparation for upcoming ministry in Singapore and Malaysia in May/June.
• The Lord’s help in discipleship of keen young men.
• The local assembly here. It had a transition in oversight from older men, due to health issues, to younger elders, and prayer is needed for wisdom and guidance. The assembly is growing, prayer is happening daily through Zoom, and there is a sense of expectancy from the Lord. We appreciate prayer for continued momentum and more souls to come to Christ and be added to the company.
17/3/25
1 Chron 27-29
Elizabeth and I ventured into the Lord’s work in June 1975. At first, I laboured mostly in British Columbia, Canada, engaging in gospel tract distribution on Vancouver Island and sharing in gospel tent meetings in BC and Washington State. In December 1975 we moved, with our young family, to Kamloops, BC, where we continue to reside. Kamloops was a city of about 85,000 souls. However, there was no assembly here. I had been given the names and addresses of contacts in the city, people who had former assembly associations. I commenced home Bible studies and, in the following February, a weekly children’s meeting.
In the Summer of 1976, I had nine weeks of tent meetings, in three locations in the city. This included children’s meetings, as well as adult meetings. As a result, when we recommenced our regular children’s meeting, numbers grew quickly, until we regularly had about 120 children coming to these meetings. During the following years several children professed faith in Christ.
Early in 1977 we saw our first adults saved. In August of that year, we were able to commence an assembly, with ten in fellowship. Several saints from the Westbank assembly met with us on that occasion. In August 1979 we commenced construction of the Gospel Hall, completing construction early in 1981, with no debt. Presently, there are 26 believers in the assembly, with some young people showing potential for being received.
Around 1980 I commenced travelling to other assemblies, mostly for teaching meetings, but also having gospel series. Then, in 1996, I was asked to go to Siberia with a brother of Russian origin. We went in the spring of 1997, for four weeks, spending our time with an assembly in Surgut, in northern Siberia. I spent the time teaching New Testament Church principles. The following year I travelled twice with Lewis Smith of Jackson, MI, to Russia, spending time in the Ural Mountains, as well as in Siberia.
In 1999, Elizabeth joined me on two trips to Russia. We rented an apartment in Yekaterinburg, east of the Ural Mountains. From then until 2005 we travelled twice a year to Yekaterinburg, renting the same apartment. I had regular Bible studies in various homes. We did see some blessing, including in salvation. But we did not see the prospects of an assembly being established. So, in December 2005, we moved to St. Petersburg, to help the struggling assembly. From then until 2019 I visited regularly each year. Then the Covid19 pandemic closed that door to me.
I am now 86 years old, and spend most of my time helping in Kamloops, though I do participate in some conferences, and recently I had a week of ministry meetings in Westbank, BC.
C. 1975 DAVID & ELIZABETH RICHARDS 14/3/25
Managua
We were delighted to receive Alvaro and Maura to the fellowship of the assembly last month. Alvaro and Maura have been attending for about two years. They were invited to a Gospel series by Alvaro’s co-worker in the Ministry of Education. He and his wife were saved at another church, but after hearing the Gospel clearly preached, they started coming to the assembly meetings. He takes fastidious notes in each ministry meeting, and it is evident they love learning from the Word of God. After listening, observing, and speaking with the elders, they have been received into the fellowship and are happy to share in the responsibilities of the assembly.
On Thursday evenings, I have been teaching through the offerings of Leviticus. We are enjoying this rich teaching that points to the Lord Jesus Christ, His life and His sacrifice. I am encouraging the brothers to bring thoughts of Christ to the worship meeting when we remember the Lord.
Masaya and El Valle
Each week Mark continues to travel to Masaya on Wednesday evenings to give teaching to the Christians there. A couple that has been attending for over a year, were baptised and added to the assembly. The husband, Kevin was able to share his testimony shortly after. It gives joy to see the assembly growing!
Each Sunday afternoon, we drive the hour to El Valle to remember the Lord with the Christians there and then help in the Gospel. Please continue to pray for Jose and Jessica, whose 11-year-old daughter died suddenly last June while we were in Scotland. They are in deep mourning and receiving grief-counselling.
Dolores and Jinotepe
We first lived and worked in Dolores, and it has a special place in our hearts. In January, we started an eight-week series on marriage in the Gospel Hall in Dolores and invited those from Jinotepe to join as it is so close. Some of the couples that came have been saved for twenty years, but some of the couples that joined us are not saved, or only
one spouse is saved. The weekly meeting gives a wonderful opportunity to bring in the Gospel and for the light of the Word of God to shine in their lives. Please pray for all of these couples. We know that the assemblies need strong couples, who love the Lord and who love each other.
2004 (Canada) MARK & BRENDA BACHERT 19/3/25
2 Chron 6-8
The last month and my final visit to Ethiopia was mixed with many emotions. It commenced with two camps, one for the Amharic speaking children and one for the Oromo speaking children. I had invited Richard Smith to help in the camps and he did an excellent job. I thought I was going to have a quiet week, but the leaders had other ideas. They decided to include the Bible exhibition, and I was given an hour each morning on the subject. We had a wonderful week.
Many evangelists from all over Ethiopia came to Addis Ababa including our three children. Crawford and Jane had a good part of their education in Ethiopia. A special day was arranged on the second Saturday and the main hall was packed. There were many stories told by evangelists that we had known for over 30 years. Unknown to me, the TV arrived and took about 10 minutes to broadcast to the nation.
Many of the believers wondered if I might make a short trip later in the year and I told them just to wait and see how my health was and just left it there. There were many presents that I was given and managed to pack into my suitcase!
I felt quite sad on the last day leaving a country where I have spent over 50 years and with Sheena for a good part of my time. I will still pray daily for Ethiopia and connect with them often, and where possible support them. Thank you for your help and support over so many years.
C. 1969 ROBERT REVIE 4/3/25
How wonderful it is for believers worldwide to participate in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ! The reality is, never before in history have Christians had access to such a vast array of tools, platforms, and opportunities to share the Gospel. Equally encouraging, if not thrilling, is the fact that more Bibles are being read in more formats, by more people, in more languages, in more parts of the world than ever before. We are privileged to live and labour in such a time.
Here in Canada, my wife Joy and I live in Prince Edward Island, where we have raised our family and enjoy fellowship with five Island assemblies. Supporting assemblies across Canada and the United States in their Gospel outreach efforts, special events for children and young people, and conference commitments requires significant time away from home – something all itinerant workers can relate to.
Between now and July 2025, I expect to be with the Niagara Falls assembly for a Gospel effort focused on “Questions I’d Like to Ask God.” Then, there will be a Gospel series with the Cornwall assembly (Ontario). In June, I look forward to being in Jackson (Michigan) for an assembly-sponsored Gospel Tent effort with Joseph Baker.
Our website, heaven4sure.com, launched in 2000 requires daily attention. Beyond maintaining a fresh supply of Gospel stories, a need for Christian resources among believers living in relative isolation with limited teaching or fellowship became evident. To help meet this need, we first introduced Bible Bites and then later, Monday Meditations – heartwarming reflections on the Person of Christ written by Dr. A. J. Higgins. We are also investing in online Gospel advertising, which allows us to target selected areas with the Gospel. Responding to inquiries about salvation and doctrinal matters, as well as shipping Gospel materials, remains an ongoing priority.
In 2010, we launched LostSheepFinder’s Digest, a website dedicated to sharing outreach ideas that individual Christians and assemblies have tried in their efforts to build stronger community connections and make more contacts for the sake of the Gospel. While the site was highly active in its early years, it eventually became outdated in both design and functionality. We are currently working on a full update.
It is a blessing to serve in this great work and we are thankful for the opportunities the Lord continues to provide.
C. (Canada) PETER & JOY RAMSEY 20/3/25
Monday 12th
We have a lot to be thankful for over the past few months. In December, there was a weeklong Seed Sower distribution in the outreach work in Los Arcos, Morelos, Mexico. A total of 120 people gathered from various parts of Canada, the United States, and Mexico to distribute over 70,000 texts of John 3:16, along with invitations to a gospel series.
We decided to take advantage of this distribution effort by organising two simultaneous gospel series: one in a tent near the city centre and the other in a hall about 25 minutes away. The invitations included details for both places, allowing the recipient to choose the most convenient location. Several missionaries from different parts of Mexico came to assist us at various intervals: Shad and Debi Kember, Jason and Shelley Wahls, Samuel and Ruth Chesney, Timothy and Jenna Stevenson, and Jonathan and Hannah Seed. Thanks to their support, we were able to cover the evening meetings at both locations, as well as gospel visits during the day. My wife and the sisters had a busy five weeks, cooking for up to 17 people in our home at a time!
From the first night of the meetings, a young family attended the tent: Eloy and Abigail, along with two little sons. On that first night, they heard a message on Romans 5, explaining how God sees us as without strength, ungodly, sinners, and enemies of God. Abigail told us later that she went home thinking, “I’m not an enemy of God! I’m a good person and I contribute to society!” However, they continued attending and became increasingly aware of their sinful condition. One afternoon, Shad and I stopped by for a visit and left them a list of verses about salvation to read. That night at home, Eloy read through the list and found salvation while reflecting on John 3. Two nights later, Abigail was saved while reading Romans 5, the same chapter that had previously surprised her. As she read about how God views us, she came to verse 10: “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” At that moment she trusted Christ as her personal Saviour. We would Eloy and Abigail in front of tent
value your prayers for them as a couple, that they would continue growing in the faith. At the beginning of March, it was encouraging to see four new believers take the step of obedience in baptism, and we trust that others who have professed will soon follow. There is now much work to be done, teaching the new believers about how a local assembly functions, according to the pattern of a New Testament assembly. We trust that this year, as the Lord leads, we can begin to break bread with the new believers gathered here in Los Arcos. We ask for your prayers for wisdom and guidance in these matters.
19/3/25
The fourth quarter of 2024 was a very active time here in the Midwest of the United States. In October there were two bible conferences and a threeweek gospel series in Sherman, Michigan. It was evident that the Lord had been speaking before the meetings began. Three told us of being saved which gave us great joy. We humbly thank the Lord for his dealings with men.
Please Pray for Glen (90) and Ruby (87) who both need to be saved. I just got word this week that Glen has been diagnosed with Oesophageal Cancer.
Immediately following, three weeks of meetings were held in Mt. Sterling, Wisconsin. A 16-year-old girl told of being saved there. She was interested a couple of years ago, but the family moved to the state of Wyoming. The Spirit never stopped dealing with her. When they moved home, she came out to the meetings right away. A testament to the grace of God.
During Christmas I was home for a bit and then started in Hitesville, Iowa, on January 12th. The meetings went on for five weeks. A young girl from a Christian home professed, for which we are thankful. It was a good series, too, in that we had some visitors attending. One lady, Christina, was staying with her mother, Cheri, who lives about a mile from the hall. Christina has brain cancer and came a handful of times. She seemed to have some interest and then stopped coming towards the end because of sickness. Another lady, who was invited as she worked at the petrol station, came a few times and brought her husband. This lady professes to be saved, and she seemed to appreciate the gospel, but her husband isn’t saved. Please pray for salvation for Christina, Cheri, Ronna, Aaron and Bill.
From Iowa, I flew to Arlington, WA to help with the conference. I was heartened by the number of young people who attended and was also encouraged by how Brody Thibodeau’s messages fitted along nicely with what the Lord had given me. Several approached us telling us it was a specific help to them. Please pray for young believers everywhere.
Now, I am home for a while. I must admit I crashed for two days as it has been full speed since last October with little downtime. I am looking forward to being in Lacrosse WI for a series in mid-March with Dan Shutt. I haven’t booked any further series until August. With our good brother, Kent Hendrickson, steadily failing I feel it needful to be home for a bit and share in responsibilities.
Kristi and the kids are well, with Kristi still homeschooling. Our original intent with homeschooling was for them all to have the flexibility to travel more with me, but as the kids get older, the schooling gets more difficult and more time-consuming. Therefore,
it’s not easy to travel all together anymore. Kristi is enjoying this time, especially when we see how fast they grow. Please remember our family in prayer!
26/2/25
2 Chron 21-24
Since our last report in December 2024, we remain thankful for the Lord’s continued grace and the support of His people. During this period our focus has been on Bible teaching and Gospel preaching, primarily in central Scotland, with a few visits to Northern Ireland. A particular highlight was our visit to South Africa over Christmas, where we had the privilege of visiting four assemblies for ministry and outreach.
In January, Craig Munro and I held another Gospel meeting in Bannockburn Gospel Hall. Although the assembly in the town closed several years ago, we initiated a leaflet drop and door-to-door work last year, followed by a Gospel meeting in October. We have been encouraged by the continued support of believers from neighbouring assemblies and the attendance of several unbelievers on both occasions. Moving forward, we plan to continue this work with a monthly Gospel meeting on the last Tuesday of each month. We rejoice in the news that two men contacted through this effort professed faith in Christ at recent Gospel meetings in Shieldhill.
In February, Blair Martin and I conducted a two-week series of Gospel meetings in Gorgie. Each evening, unbelievers came to hear the Gospel, and we were uplifted by the support of neighbouring assemblies. Meaningful contacts were established, and we continue to pray for the Lord’s blessing in salvation.
Planned activities and points for prayer
I will shortly have the privilege of speaking at the baptism of a man who attended the Gospel series held in Whitburn in September 2024 alongside Blair Martin. Having been saved prior to the meetings, he received assurance of his deliverance in Christ at that time and now faithfully attends all the assembly gatherings. Please pray for his spiritual growth as he navigates ongoing health challenges resulting from his military service in Afghanistan.
In the next few months, we are due to be involved in further Gospel meetings with the assemblies in Deans, Livingston and New Stevenson. Prayer would be valued for these outreaches.
We are thankful for the opportunity to connect with a local high school, where we plan to assist with activities in May. Finding openings in schools has proven challenging, and we hope this opportunity may lead to further avenues for sharing the Gospel. Additionally, we value your prayers for the continued work with children and young people in the Gorgie area.
We are grateful for your ongoing prayerful support and ask for continued intercession for these upcoming endeavours, trusting the Lord to bless and guide each step.
C. 2024 JOEL & REBECCA HAWTHORNE 18/3/25
Thursday 15th
The work in Xalapa continues with its ups and downs. It was an encouragement to receive a sister earlier last month to the assembly and we trust she will be a blessing, along with her husband and son who were received last autumn. The children’s work is small, with a decrease in numbers. It is difficult to attract new children and we’d appreciate your prayers that soon we might make new contacts and see this work flourish.
We continue to visit Coscomatepec where a few souls continue to show interest in listening to the gospel. After several venue changes, we now meet in an enclosed area (see photo) behind one of the venues that we used to rent. So far it seems very suitable, being a central location, but without the noise and distractions from the main street. Although we would love to see more attending from the town, literature is always very well received, and we were encouraged that two people attended for the first time on Tuesday past as a result of invitation work before the meeting.
Recently quite a bit of time has been taken up organising the upcoming conference at the end of March. We are looking forward to having the help of brother Shawn St. Clair, brother Duncan Beckett and also local brethren from Xalapa, Veracruz and Mexico City. In view of the conference, some essential maintenance work on the hall (such as painting walls and fixing broken ceiling panels) has been carried out by willing hands. We also installed a new window in the kitchen to give more natural light and air. Due to the noise of fans, which are usually needed for the conference, we are hoping to install an amplification system. This will be helpful, not only for the conference weekend itself, but also for the regular meetings throughout the year as at times we struggle to make ourselves heard over the music from the Pentecostal group on the same street.
We would also appreciate your prayers for a short gospel series in Veracruz to be held during the Easter period. The assembly there has been exercised to have some meetings in the hall, and I will be joined each night by local brethren from the assembly. We trust the Lord’s presence will be known and souls saved for His honour.
C. 2022 SAMUEL & RUTH CHESNEY 20/3/25
Paul’s priority at Corinth was to deliver unto them “first of all” the Gospel. In the Lutsk assembly this is our aim in all that we do. Over the past months the assembly has distributed 30,000 calendars and we carry a large stock of assembly literature in Ukraine. We continually redesign and reprint books, booklets and Gospel tracts that have been distributed in the past and we are always looking for something new to print.
Every day for the last 22 years we have gathered boys and girls from poor families in our area of the town and have taught them the Scriptures. The Lord has blessed the work in UCC (Ukraine Child Care). Our Sunday school is large and every other Wednesday we gather young people from the ages of 13 to 22 for a Gospel meeting. A large number of unsaved also attend our Lord’s Day Gospel meeting.
Three years ago, at the beginning of the war, we commenced a Thursday evening Gospel meeting and at that time numbers were about 350. We thought that would be shortlived, but we have been proved wrong. Every Thursday evening is the same with people queuing to get into the hall from 15.00. We open our doors after the UCC meeting finishes at 16:20 and within minutes there is not a seat to be found. This evening, 13th March, a prominent, local politician, who isn’t saved, attended. At the close of the meeting he asked if we would travel 1 hour north, close to the Belarusian border, to a village where 40 families live. They have been evacuated from the East of Ukraine, and he asked if we would preach the Gospel to them. What a great opportunity! We really do appreciate your prayers.
Just this week, March 10th, a sister from the assembly brought 3 young children aged 4, 6 and 10 to the orphanage for us to look after. Their mother has recently died of cancer, their father is an alcoholic, and the grandmother does not want them. Just yesterday, when the 10-year-old girl was dropped off at school, the teacher said: “Oh she has got new clothes, she would never have had that before”. It’s our privilege to look after these boys and girls and bring them up under the sound of the Gospel. The boys and girls attend Sunday school and it is most encouraging to hear
the children saying their verses, singing choruses and answering the Bible questions. God, through you, has enabled us to open a beautiful home for children and we want the children to excel in every way but our aim, our goal is to see these young ones saved at a young age.
Prayer pointers:
1. The salvation of many young people who attend our Gospel meetings.
2. Planned renovation work at the hall which will increase our seating capacity.
3. We would love to buy the only vacant building site which is situated right beside the orphanage as we have run out of space for stores and classrooms.
We really appreciate your prayers.
on the Fields
copy (A4 size) can be
I was asked at the end of last year by Robert Revie if I would accompany him on his final visit to Ethiopia. After prayerful consideration I agreed to go. It was a most encouraging visit. I have listened to Robert’s reports of Ethiopia since I was a youth, and he has not exaggerated the work there. The numbers of new believers, young assemblies, and recently commended local evangelists are breathtaking. The growth is well planned and very well organised. The poverty of the people is something I have never seen before, and their resilience is humbling.
On arrival in Addis Ababa, I had the joy of speaking (through interpretation) to around 40 youth workers from the west of the country. In their 20s and 30s, they were a keen and devoted group, who come from very isolated rural areas with much unrest from tribal differences. Several of them would have a 12-hour bus ride, followed by 6 hours walking, to get home.
We travelled west on the Monday morning to Ginchi where we spoke at the camp. One interpreter is confusing enough, for half of the week there were two interpreters! 100 children from Addis from Monday - Wednesday, 100 from the west from WednesdaySaturday. I spoke about people the Lord met and was impressed at the enthusiasm and attention of the children throughout. The leaders were also devoted servants with a real desire for the Lord.
On the two Sundays I preached in Akaki and Oolankomii assemblies to hundreds of enthusiastic believers and interested unbelievers. A mixture of teaching and gospel about the Lord, in which I experienced much help from the Lord. A poor soul possessed by a demon and physically tormented by it, had it cast out and she put her faith in the Lord Jesus, along with others, which is not unusual for these rapidly growing assemblies.
On the way back to Addis on the second Sunday afternoon, we stopped at the wedding of one of the guards at the office in the city. I had been asked on Saturday night to speak at their wedding, which was a lovely surprise! Some thoughts from the Song of Solomon seemed appropriate and were well-received.
The gospel is spreading throughout Ethiopia, and many are being saved. There is a real need for teachers to be taught and helped in their study of scripture; the evangelists work very hard, and they need to be encouraged in their work; the youth workers lack experience and resources; the poverty of the country means that much support is still needed, financially as well as spiritually, to keep up with the relentless growth.
Robert Revie is rightly honoured in Scotland and further afield for his labours over many years in Ethiopia. He is an inspiration to many of my generation. Please pray for the work that he and others have done for the Master, and for the Lord’s work as it continues to grow in that corner of Africa. Pray for Robert as he reflects on many years of faithful service.
Pray for Ethiopia.
RICHARD & LINDA SMITH 14/3/25
The work of the Bible lessons is continuing and we trust that the Lord will bless this work as the Gospel goes forth to thousands of children, and to some adults as well. During January we were able to spend some time at Serowe which afforded us the opportunity to meet with the believers of the assembly, and to spend some days helping in the office with the preparation of lessons. It was also lovely to be able to visit a few primary schools within Serowe for lesson delivery, as well as at the prison. We trust that as these lessons are read and completed that the readers will understand more and more of the Gospel message and trust in the Saviour for salvation.
A Bible Camp was held in Francistown at the Gospel Hall in mid- December for just less than a week. A good number of young folks attended from various places within Botswana. The teaching challenged some who have since requested baptism. Three new believers have been baptised at Francistown, one young man expressed his interest prior to the camp, and was baptised on the Sunday the camp concluded. He is from Tati Siding and his older brother is in fellowship, but is at Gaborone for studies.
A few weeks ago, Botswana received a lot of rain. It is bright and warm again now, but it is hay-fever season. Some flash flooding occurred, with some damage reported due to the strong winds from the storms. As it has been dry for a week or two and the farmers are busy cultivating the fields and sowing the seeds in anticipation of a harvest in several weeks’ time. The moist soil combined with the warmth will hopefully produce the desired growth, but agriculture in much of Botswana is very tricky due to the poor soils and the weather. There are a few key areas where harvests are better, but recently also suffered from the prolonged drought.
As a family we are all well. Rejoice is very busy in Gaborone with her studies. Thomas and James both did well at A levels and IGCSE respectively. Thomas is now applying for university courses and will soon know where he will be going and what he will be studying. James has returned to school for A levels. Bit by bit our family landscape is changing, and we thank the Lord for His goodness and enabling thus far.
With the commencement of the new academic year the various Sunday Schools have commenced again. It was wonderful to see 60+ children gathering with us in our yard here at home, all eager to enjoy Sunday School and learn from the Bible. We look to the Lord for some precious fruit amongst them.
C. 1999 JOHN & ONTY BANDY 12/3/25
Monday 19th
At the end of December, we had the privilege of attending the Seed Sowers effort in the state of Morelos, where Duncan and Anna Beckett work. There were believers present from Mexico, USA and Canada. It was very encouraging to be involved in the distribution of over 70,000 gospel texts and we enjoyed the time spent with the other believers. Our co-workers, David & Saly Cadenas, were also able to make the trip.
The assembly is now carrying on a weekly Bible reading, which commenced in September of 2024. We studied the book of Colossians and we are currently studying the book of Titus. It has been encouraging to see the brethren participating in the Bible study each week.
In December and January, the assembly was actively involved in the distribution of 10,000 calendars. There has been a positive response from this literature.
At the beginning of the year, the assembly had the exercise to reach neighbours, friends and family members who do not attend the regular meetings at the Gospel Hall. We have
begun preaching the gospel in various homes of the believers twice a month.
We have enjoyed some recent visits, as well. In February, we had Matthew & Shannon Swan (Sydney, Nova Scotia) and in March, Ashley & Ingrid Milne (Surrey, British Colombia). Both of our brethren helped in ministry and gospel and their visits were a big encouragement for the assembly.
Prayer Requests:
• There are several believers who were saved last year who have expressed an interest in getting baptised. We would appreciate prayer regarding baptisms.
• A series of Gospel meetings is planned for the first two weeks of April. We ask for prayer regarding contacts who attend the regular meetings as well as reaching out to others who do not normally attend.
• The children’s work continues to be an encouragement to the assembly. We ask for prayer regarding the salvation of these precious souls as well as their families. We also desire further growth in our Sunday School numbers, both with children and young people.
C. 2013 (Venezuela)
TIMOTHY & AMY TURKINGTON 21/3/25
Ezra 4-7
Here in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, we continue to spread God’s Word to as many as possible. It is hard to get people to come to meetings, so we give out gospel tracts and meet folk in coffee shops and other places. We are planning for Easter when we will try to encourage more to come to a special program. As these times can be special for those who are religious, our thoughts will be based on the resurrection of our Lord. We will have the children in view, through whom we can reach the parents.
During the month of July, a week of Holiday Bible School is planned with activities, singing and children’s stories from God’s word. This is being organised by our brother Carlos and his wife Cleonice. Carlos is suffering from liver problems, but is putting the Lord’s work first when he can.
Please pray with us for these opportunities and for local saints to get well behind us in getting the message out, as time is running out. He is coming again very soon, praise the Lord for His promise, to come quickly.
There is a need for prayer, as Daniele (Edson’s wife) is not coming to the meetings because of depression, which sometimes affects Edson’s ability to come and bring their two children. But it’s a blessing when he and the children are with us!
Marlene and Luiz are also coming to our meetings. Marlene was one of our first contacts here who got saved and was trying to bring her family to the Lord, but her husband never wanted to take it seriously. So, as she was suffering with him getting drunk, she stopped coming as well. After her husband’s death some years ago, last year she came into a relationship with Luiz, a widower. He has accepted the Lord as his Saviour, both are coming regularly to the meetings, and they are planning to get married this year.
Please pray for Jeff. It was discovered that he has an aneurysm of the abdominal Aorta Vein, which could burst at any time. He is now resting and taking care when possible, but tries to keep going. The Brazilian National Health Service has a waiting list of over a month, so Elizmar, Denise’s sister-in-law, is trying to get him booked into the Evangelical Hospital in Vitoria where she works and which is the centre for this surgery in the state of Espirito Santo. Please pray, that Lord willing, this will be made possible so that he can have this resolved quickly. Also, remember the Lord’s work here in Foz as we must be absent from here for more than a month.
C. 1980
JEFF & DENISE WATSON
14/3/25
The work here in Orkney is really beginning to move forward and we are getting many wonderful opportunities in the Gospel. The school access has increased quite substantially, and we are now visiting all but three schools all over the Orkney Islands.
We are holding weekly/monthly assembles and weekly class RME teaching. This involves ten sessions on the OT for Primary 6 and ten sessions on the NT for Primary 7 pupils, giving them a knowledge of each book of the bible before heading to secondary school.
We also cover all the ‘Religious Observance’ events such as Christmas, Easter, Remembrance assemblies and are presently delivering an Easter lesson to many schools. The work in schools extends north and south with regular visits to Caithness and Shetland. Over this academic year we have had the privilege of visiting 90% of all schools in Shetland, Orkney and Caithness to deliver lessons on the bible. This is something to give thanks to the Lord for!
Our Mother and Toddlers work is continually growing and last Sunday we had a Mother’s Day afternoon tea. We were amazed to see the hall so full with over 20 visitors present.
We had a month of bible clubs in Kirkwall and had a good interest with an encouraging number of children coming along. We plan to follow that up with a week of Easter, then Summer, Holiday Bible Clubs.
Also, in February we had another Bible Teaching weekend with a great response from the local, Shetland and Caithness saints (despite the wild weather and seas!). The Lord really gave help in the teaching and there was great interest.
Our regular established meetings are going well, and we try to visit other areas for outreach, including St Margarets Hope, Westray and have meetings planned in Papa Westray. God willing, over the next few months we will have a monthly Gospel meeting in different community centres across the Islands.
This month I was in Scalloway, Shetland for a few weeks’ gospel and children’s meetings. These went well and support from the saints was very good. We had a few unbelievers attending and also heard from people as we did door-to-door work that many had watched online. The school visits were intense, but very good. God willing, I will return in June for a week of school work, then again for camp in July. This week I am in Wick for children’s meetings and had a good start with 35 children. Monday is always busy here with a school assembly then 6 x 45-minute class lessons, children’s meeting then bible teaching.
Springtime and early summer I will be working mainly on Orkney with the beginning of the cruise ships landing. With thousands of tourists visiting, we don’t need to stray far for outreach possibilities. I will also be finishing my training to allow me access onto the ships to speak to the crew, many of whom have been away from home for months.
We appreciate all the support of the saints as we seek to serve the Lord here in the far north and give Him all the glory for the opportunities and work done.
C. 2009
GRAEME & ANNA PATERSON
25/3/25
Thursday 22nd
Armenia
A land with a population of approximately 2.9 million. A land where the gospel was preached in the first century A.D. by two of the Apostles and where there is freedom to preach the gospel without hindrance. Today there is one assembly in the country meeting in the district of Erebuni, Yerevan the capital city.
I first visited Armenia in 2004 and have been back many times since. There is a vibrant children’s work carried on by the saints in the assembly. They also reach out to the village of Dvin, near the border with Turkey.
During the summer they hold three weeks of camps for children and teenagers. There is a camp site up in the mountains, several hours drive from Yerevan. This year they hope to have a week of camps in Yerevan, Dvin and in Stepanavan in the mountains, bringing children from the villages in the three areas.
There is a great need in the land for gospel outreach as well as a great need for teaching of the scriptures in the assembly. Sadly, very few with ability to teach go to Armenia, rather many of our able brethren preach and teach often in assemblies where the saints are well taught. There is something very rewarding about going to Armenia, because the saints appreciate teaching and there is a definite need there to be filled.
Prayer Points:
• That the need of the saints to receive teaching might be met, so that they may be strengthened in the faith and encouraged in the things of the Lord.
• For the activities of the believers, especially the children’s work during the summer months.
• For the need of accommodation on the camp site as the tents got damaged in a summer storm in 2024
• That the Lord would raise up someone with an exercise to learn the language and go there to build up the work under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
• For new believers recently added to the fellowship, and those who carry on the burden of the work week by week.
In March the Cork and County assemblies held the 79th annual Conference. There was good attendance, with believers coming from all over the island of Ireland. Brethren Jack Hay and Phil Coulson ministered the Word on prophetic subjects, and it was profitable for all.
During the conference period we did a Seed Sowers outreach in the town of Bandon, where there has been an assembly since the early 1840’s. We appreciated all those who helped in various ways, to prepare maps and the envelope packs which included the John 3:16 text and the offer of a free Bible.
The town of approximately 3,500 houses was covered by over 30 willing helpers, both visitors to the conference and local saints. We have been giving out calendars for approximately 30 years in the town and never had much response, but we are thankful that the Seed Sowers offer of a free Bible has resulted in a request for 12 Bibles, to date. We look to the Lord to reveal Himself through His living word, and that we will hear of salvation as a result of this outreach.
I am writing to thank you for your support and prayers. There is hope that the time is moving to one of reconstruction and recovery. The needs are still massive as there has been significant destruction in so many areas. There continues to be incidents of drone attacks on specific vehicles, so we do still need prayer for an end to the violence, but in general the situation is looking much better. Lebanon has a government, and they are looking to bring an end to the occupation that remains in parts of the South.
Last week, we were able to take 620 relief packages to villages in southern areas. These are areas that were significantly affected, and many have lost both family members and their homes. Please do pray for those people who received the gifts which included New Testaments. These are largely unreached areas of both political and religious strongholds, so I am very thankful to have been able to do this. The packages included basic food supplies and cleaning products. We have been able to give out around 4000 relief packages and Arabic New Testaments since October of last year. I love being able to serve the people in this way and to use these rare opportunities to reach communities that have been previously unreached.
I have been going down to Tyre twice per week to continue work in the school. It is great to be able to support students and teachers during these days of uncertainty. However, it is a long drive and the situation is still not stable in the South so please do keep praying for wisdom. The sounds of planes and drones remain part of life in Tyre, along with the destruction of so many buildings. Many Lebanese have lived with years of war and have never addressed the impact it has on them so please do pray for healing. Many people who left during the war will not return, but please pray for those who have. It is difficult to return and see the scale of damage, especially when many of the sounds of war remain. Please pray for continued opportunities to share hope and light both practically and spiritually whether in Tyre or the villages.
If you follow the news, you may know that there was an attack on Beirut yesterday - the first time since the fragile ceasefire that we received the map warning of the buildings to be attacked. It led to a lot of panic, as people have already lost so much. In addition to this, there was an attack on Tyre last weekend which led to a loss of life.
In Tyre and the South strike warnings are not given so this causes much anxiety. Yesterday there was panic following the strikes in Beirut and parents were collecting
their children early from school, schools had to close early and many people prepared emergency bags to leave once again. This is a very difficult situation for people in the South, especially as we have had a year and a half of war. We are basically back to feeling the way things were before September, but this time everyone has already been through so much.
Warm greetings from the Philippines!
Time has definitely been flying since our return to the Philippines mid-January! This year’s Bible School nine-week session began five days later and is now about to finish. Our 16 students (9 first term, 4 second, and 3 third) are all working diligently, helping one another, and enjoying their opportunity to interact with one another while growing in their knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. Graduation is scheduled, Lord willing, for March 21st.
A few days ago the Cainta Fire Department came for their visual inspection of the school building. One of our fire escapes failed to pass their inspection but the officer mercifully gave the school a temporary permit to continue operations. In addition to more classrooms required by the Department of Education, we also need to build a new staircase for both regular and emergency use. These requirements have now become a priority before rainy season and 25-26 school year begins in mid-June.
Earlier this month the Cainta assembly celebrated its 50th anniversary. Three other assemblies joined in the celebrations with several hundred in attendance. It was a great time to celebrate God’s goodness and grace.
31/3/25
We do thank our Lord that all three elementary schools continue to operate and provide many opportunities to share the gospel with both students and parents. At Lynwood one of the elders is conducting Bible Studies on Fridays and Saturdays for our students’ parents and others in the neighbourhood. Several of the parents have come to know the Lord as their Saviour and a few are now regularly attending the Cainta assembly. We also value your prayers for increased enrollment at all three schools for the coming school year.
The new English assembly which began over a year ago is still struggling. At present we do not have any regular members from the neighbourhood. Despite this, we are excited to have four other local assemblies helping with the responsibilities each month to encourage this ministry. Although English is the official business language in the Philippines and all Filipinos are taught English from grade school through college, it is seldom used in most of our assemblies. This effort, however, is giving our brothers an opportunity to develop their use of English along with their preaching skills as they share the good news of salvation.
Our schedule for the coming few months is rapidly becoming very full. Three international trips are already scheduled for the next five months. Two of those will occur before our annual two-week Christian Training Camp scheduled for May 18-30. I have again been asked to direct this year’s session and teach three different subjects. Graduation ceremonies for the three elementary schools will all be on the agenda for late May as well.
The assembly in Ponderosa, on the island of Mindoro, south of Manila, has finally located a suitable piece of land for their hall. This property is owned by a Christian family and is being offered at a reasonable price, but we have not yet had an opportunity to check out the location, documentation, and legal status before making any final decision. In the meantime, the assembly uses a dormant piggery for their Sunday services. A swine flu epidemic during the past year has decimated the livelihood of many folks in Mindoro, including the full-time worker in Ponderosa. We are encouraged, however, by his steadfast confidence in the Lord to meet his own family’s needs and those of his brothers and sisters in their growing fellowship.
Health wise, we do occasionally experience a few minor issues but continue to serve the Lord in many different ways. We are indeed grateful for the strength He supplies to meet every challenge. While aging does make some tasks more difficult, we do recognise that it comes with the territory and need to gratefully accept the reality knowing our heavenly Father is fully in control! Thank you for your ongoing prayers.
C. (USA)
DAVID & RUTH
HARVEY
24/3/25
And that from a child you have known
2 Tim 3:15
Monterrey is in the northeast of Mexico and is the third largest city in the country, with approximately 5 million people. It is also one of the industrial and economic centers of Mexico, being a great source of employment for Mexicans. Many people immigrate from other parts of Mexico looking to improve their income and lifestyle.
Between work and traffic, most people in Monterrey are away from home between 12 and 16 hours a day, six days a week. Although Monterrey offers many sources of employment, in most homes a single salary is not enough to cover the family’s expenses, so father and mother are forced to go out to work. In addition to this, being a large city, Monterrey offers all kinds of entertainment to distract people in the little time they have left.
By the grace of God, since 2019, there is a small assembly gathered to the name of the Lord in the municipality of Juarez, southeast of the metropolitan area of
The busy lifestyle directly affects the work in the gospel, because among so many occupations the enemy keeps people distracted from the most important thing which is the salvation of their souls. The work among the adults is slow, but we know that the Lord is doing the work. We appreciate the prayers that the Holy Spirit awakens the hearts of the people to hear the message of salvation and be saved.
On the contrary, we have found the work among the children very encouraging. About 40 children and young people attend Sunday School every week. During the summer we do a special week of children’s meetings where attendance can reach 100 children. This has given us the opportunity to establish contact with some of the children’s parents to share the gospel with them. In the last year, because of the children’s work, some mothers have shown interest in the Word of God and have come to salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We pray that the light of the gospel that has entered these homes may also enlighten the fathers and other members of the family for salvation and service to the Lord.
At the end of each month, the assembly distributes literature around the hall and conduct an open-air gospel meeting. We appreciate your prayers for the assembly in Juarez, and for many other areas of Monterrey where they have not heard the truth of the gospel.
12/3/25
Neh 12-13
The work in the schools in Grantham and Peterborough continues regularly with fifteen schools being visited in Grantham once or twice each half term and around thirteen visited three times a year in Peterborough.
The last visit to Peterborough ended with the encouragement of one boy coming to see me afterwards to tell me how the story ended (I wonder how many ‘spoilers’ he’ll give to his classmates before my visit to finish the story in June!). Then, after him, half a dozen children came up to ask various questions including ‘why do you read the Bible?’
Another cause for thanksgiving came after the visit of the Bible Exhibition last June. Two boys came to me after an assembly towards the end of the summer term to ask if the Exhibition had received their request for a Bible. They hadn’t and, with the summer holidays arriving I thought, unfortunately, that would be an end of it. However, last term I was approached by one of the boys who asked if their request had been received. I told them that it hadn’t, but that I would bring a Bible for them the next time I was in school. I was pleased to be able to pass them on this week (25th Feb).
Please pray for the ongoing work, especially with the opportunities in the run up to Easter. I have been asked to take a couple of RE lessons during March looking at the subjects of ‘What did Jesus do to save people?’ and ‘The Christian’s view of God’. There will also be a couple of Easter services where a short message can be given with parents present as well as the children.
In Grantham, there are four schools that have failed to respond this year to approaches to see if they would like a visit. All have been visited very regularly in the past. The only reason I can think is that they have joined MAT’s (Multi Academy Trust) and that this has meant a change in leadership and the resulting lack of response. We are especially disappointed as three of those schools joined the local Church of England (CE) MAT! Please pray that the door might be opened once again, and that if the CE MAT takes on any other schools in Grantham, it won’t have the same impact.
MICHAEL & EMMA BUCKERIDGE 26/2/25
Tuesday 27th
We were thankful to have around 70-80 young believers from Ireland gathered together for our STEP (Sharing Truth: Encouraging Practice) Weekend. As we studied the Acts of the Apostles together we were encouraged to see lives, so full of potential for God, earnestly studying His word. Please pray for these young believers that they might mature in their faith and rise up to serve their generation, till the Lord returns.
I had the joy of speaking at Gorey Youth Day on a Saturday in mid-January. I shared three talks on “Heroes of Faith”, and we considered Enoch, Abraham and Moses from Hebrews Ch 11. Around 40 young believers were present. Then in the evening I gave a gospel message to the Youth Group – an outreach which the assembly in Gorey run regularly. It was a day when I felt the Lord was speaking to hearts.
A lot of my time is taken up with visitation work. I am so thankful for many homes where I am made welcome. It is sometimes difficult to get unbelievers to accept an invitation to come along to our Gospel Meetings (although we are thankful that some usually respond). However, I often have the opportunity to share the gospel message in one-toone conversations and am encouraged by the interest some have shown.
Last month, I spoke at a Bible Teaching Weekend in Bethany Gospel Hall, Liverpool. I spoke on the subject of “Spiritual Prosperity”, giving four talks on Employability, Availability, Profitability and Accountability. I would value your prayers that God will bless the word spoken and that it will be a challenge and encouragement to those who were present.
From the last week in January to 13th March, Postal Bible School visited 31 venues to present prizes to hundreds of students who regularly return Bibletime Studies. This involved a lot of travelling, early mornings and late evenings. A heavy responsibility fell on the shoulders of Gareth and Margaret. We have also been praying that the Lord would provide someone to help in the PBS office. The administration workload is heavy, and Margaret is often pressed to the limit. Please join us in praying for this. We thank God for His provision and for all the families who have been reached with the gospel.
We thank God for bridges being built with local people by our Community Coffee Morning / Parent and Toddler’s Group. We have almost 60 children on the roll for our Monday
evening Bible Club, and 30-40 Teenagers who come to “The SHED” at Gareth and Margaret’s house. Please pray with us for the forthcoming “Ladies’ Fit for Life” outreach which will be in May; and we are also in the process of planning Holiday Bible Clubs in Newbliss and Drum, and our annual Postal Bible School summer camp at Avoca.
C. 1992 NOEL & LIZA McMEEKIN 17/3/25
Esther 5-10
Fife
In December I was in South Korea and Malaysia for three weeks of meetings. It was most encouraging to see God at work in these lands with an obvious interest in the Word of God and assembly truth. The Korean brethren are supporting underground assemblies in China and a Muslim country on a monthly basis which is both exciting and dangerous. Please pray for them. In Malaysia, amongst other meetings, I took part along with brother David Gilliland and Gideon Khoo in six days of conference in Kota Kemuning with saints drawn from Malaysia, Korea, Singapore, China, India and Australia – a very international congregation. I returned home on the day before Christmas Eve, and we had a few days together as a family and then four days of conference here in Fife and we were thrilled to see God at work among us, with many hundreds attending and engaging positively with the teaching of the Word of God. I was privileged to speak at the
Kennoway and Leven conferences. It was a blessing to meet new believers from across the UK and hear their testimonies and see their evident love for the Lord.
In January, after the conferences were over, I had twelve nights of consecutive ministry meetings in Northern Ireland in Ballywatermoy, James Street (Newtownards) and Sandringham. It was an encouraging time with good interest. I returned for our Saturday night Bible Reading and gospel meetings in Kirkcaldy and Bannockburn, where there used to be two assemblies. In both places there was a good interest in the gospel with many sinners attending and some clearly searching for salvation. We are maintaining a monthly gospel meeting in both places. Although I cannot always be there, other brethren are exercised to maintain this work. Although numbers are not huge in Kirkcaldy, there have been a number of professions of faith in Christ for which we give God thanks. There are good numbers of unsaved and backsliders attending Bannockburn at present. The Sheildhill assembly have also started a children’s work in the hall as well. Please pray for these outreaches.
In February, we had four weeks of gospel meetings in Shieldhill with Alasdair Baijal. We were very encouraged by the way the assembly was so united in their enthusiasm for the meetings, the help with the tracting and the way the saints brought unsaved along and attended the prayer meetings. Many good conversations were had on the doors, and it was also encouraging to see God’s hand in salvation and others finding assurance. One of the men who professed was first contacted in the Bannockburn meetings when he asked for a bible from a tract. We pray that those who are now professing faith in Christ will go on to live out the reality of their profession and become part and parcel of the assembly. The assembly needs your prayers as they support these new believers. A feature of the meetings in Shieldhill has also been the number of believers from various denominations attending. We are praying for more to come of this. Glencraig’s Friday night ministry meetings also took place in February where I was ministering on 1 Peter. We were also able to preach the Word of God in Kilmarnock for a few sessions and in Prestwick Road, Ayr, at weekends.
I also preached at three baptisms on the same night in February in Glencraig. A man with no Christian background who was saved in November was baptised. He started attending the gospel meetings we had in Scotlandwell in August. Another middle-aged couple who were saved a while ago and have been sitting in the seat of the unlearned for around three years were also baptised the same night and have come into fellowship. To God be the glory. My Aunty Pat Revie passed away this month and many attended her funeral. She was a hugely positive role model for us. She certainly loved the assembly and God’s people. We do miss her.
In March, so far, we have been in four assemblies for the ministry of the Word of God sometimes for a week of meetings or a bible study weekend with several sessions or simply a weekend of meetings. We greatly value the kindness of saints and their hospitality as we travel for meetings and their attendance after busy days at work. We are conscious of our dependency upon God for freshness in the ministry and power in the gospel. With renewed thanks for those who pray for us. We need it!
C. 2016
CRAIG & HANNAH MUNRO
In January and February, Mark travelled to Poland to preach the gospel and teach the Word of God. He visited 14 places, teaching 12 times. A good number of unsaved heard the gospel and responded with interest. Please pray for the seed sown.
At one place Mark spoke at a conference for those leading work among children and youth. On that occasion it was encouraging to see the older generation working together with the younger generation. Pray for those in leadership across the generations as they strive to work together and find common ground and set the vision and plans for future work in the gospel.
Mark also met with those who are actively promoting the Emmaus Correspondence ministry. Some course materials need to be reprinted. Others need to still be published. Pray for the growth of this ministry. There were also counselling opportunities. One couple needs marriage counselling. In another case, a leading couple stopped attending meetings years ago due to discouragement. Their children are growing and no longer under the influence of God’s Word.
In April, June and September, Mark again plans to be in Poland or Portugal to carry on this type of ministry.
Emmaus Meeting
We have appreciated the many prayers that have gone up to the Lord on behalf of our daughter, Moriah, who has been struggling with debilitating anxiety since her head injury in March 2022. Please continue to pray for our entire family, as we support her in her journey to heal from trauma. Thank you for praying.
C. 1998 (USA) MARK & TAMI SWAIM 12/3/25
Friday 30th
After sharing in the end-of-year conference in Mariara, Aragua State, we returned East. Since Monday 13th January, we accompanied the brethren in Los Altos for four weeks, preaching in an area known as 5 de Julio, located at the end of the town, where vehicles don’t reach. Attendance wasn’t large, but some friends and neighbours came each night to listen to the Word. We preached in the street in front of Brother Tomas’ house. For some time now, the brethren have been holding a Children’s Bible class there, and every Sunday a group of at least eighty children attend. This year, additionally, they will be having a Gospel meeting after the children’s meeting. The Word is being planted and we trust that the Lord will pour out His blessings.
On Monday, February 10th, we began Bible Readings in Piñantal. We want to take advantage of the time before the rains start, which would make the road more difficult to travel. Thank the Lord, the motorcycle has been of great help. Brother Isaac Barrera accompanies me every night, and brethren from Zurita and Santa Fe are also supporting and helping with the meetings. We are studying in the First Letter to the Corinthians, and the purpose is to sow doctrine among the group of believers, as it is difficult for them to attend the nearby assemblies.
Regarding the country, political instability continues to affect every aspect of the nation. Even so, we thank the Lord that Gospel freedom continues, allowing the Word to be preached freely. We ask that you continue to pray for Venezuela, for the development of the work of the Lord here, and for us, that we may be guided by Him.
C. 2018 (Venezuela) PEDRO & LOIS MALAVE 19/2/25
We are grateful to God for the necessary level of health so that we can continue to diligently participate in the ministry in the assembly and on the Internet. This activity includes many conversations, meetings, preaching the Word of God and creating content for the YouTube channel.
At the end of October, we organised a Bible conference for believers from the area, to which we invited brother Peter Kozár from Slovakia as the main speaker. Such conferences attract a larger number of visitors, and the Lord blesses us through the interpretation of His Word, hymns and fellowship.
On Christmas Day, we had a special program, where children from the children’s club and teens participated. So many people came to this meeting that we did not have enough seats for everyone. Throughout the entire meeting, a clear message about the Saviour rang out, and parents and grandparents had the opportunity to hear the gospel from the mouths of their own children. We are grateful to our Lord for working with children,
Children's program
teens and young people, which then opens the doors to parents and grandparents. These are children who spend their summers at the Bethel camp and are open to the Gospel. It is a long term, arduous work, but the leaders of the children’s clubs and youth are enthusiastic about working with the children and are convinced that their service will bear more and more fruit. We can already see some of it in the increasing number of visitors to our Sunday meetings.
In recent weeks, we have had several meetings for the leaders of the camp work and we plan to continue in this work this year also. Five summer camps for children and youth are planned. However, we are facing a project to renovate several buildings. We founded Camp Bethel in 1988 and have gradually expanded it. In 2004, we added four bungalows, a new kitchen and an apartment. With over twenty years of use, many objects (sanitary facilities, playground, air conditioning, beds, mattresses etc) have suffered wear and damage and we absolutely need to renovate or replace them.
We have several important events ahead of us, so we ask for your prayers:
• March 21-23 - public evangelism in our and surrounding assemblies
• March 28-30 - Consultation at Camp Bethel for leaders and helpers
• April 25-27 - Youth meeting at Camp Bethel
• May 1-4 - Practical work (renovations) at Camp Bethel
• May 29 - June 3 – Conference weekend
• June 29 - August 2 - Summer camps for five groups of children and youth at Bethel
• August - Romani (Gypsi) camp
Beloved in the Lord, we can only thank you again for your faithful prayers for God’s work in Serbia and for us personally.
VLADIMIR & ANNA MAJERSKY 21/2/25
C=Date of Commendation
Published by:
LORD’S WORK TRUST 42 Beansburn, Kilmarnock KA3 1RL
Tel. 01563 521098 E.Mail: lwtrust@lwtrust.co.uk www.lordsworktrust-kilmarnock.co.uk
Charity No. SC008740
Alistair Buchan (Aberdeen) Kevin Oh (London)
David Grant (Kilmarnock) Alastair Sinclair (Crosshouse)
David Hutchinson (Ballymoney) Gordon Stewart (Wallingford)
Raymond McNair (Glengormley) Stephen Trimble (Ballykeel)
Secretary: Leonard Currie (Kinross)
Total gifts received during March 2025. Total: £1,023,227.90