Reports in this edition are from countries shaded on the map.
SOUTH SUDAN
NORTH SUDAN
Sunday 1st
SRI LANKA
Many will have been following the news of the devasting effects of Cyclone Ditwah. It formed just off the coast of Batticaloa on Thursday 27th November and made its way across Sri Lanka over three days. The people here are facing hardships at a level not experienced since the tsunami of 2004.
Writing from Sri Lanka
Shortly after arriving in Sri Lanka and reaching the East, I received notice that Cyclone Ditwah was expected to come in over the Batticaloa / Valachchenai area. I booked into a good hotel, knowing it would be safer and would have a generator for communication purposes. This proved wise, as I had never experienced anything like the intensity of the storm.
The cyclone brought strong winds, severe flooding, torrential rains and landslides and its impact has been felt all over the island. The cyclone’s severity has overwhelmed Sri Lanka’s emergency services. The enormous flooding across the country has been unprecedented and rescue efforts are being hampered by disruption in transport, electricity and telecommunications. The number reported dead is over 500 with the government saying that the final number will be much higher. So far, we are glad to report, that we know of no one belonging to the assemblies who have died, although we have identified 176 families badly affected.
Landslide alerts have been issued for some of the worst hit areas of the Central Province. Residents have been advised not to return home as the already saturated slopes could collapse if there is more rainfall. Several believers are trapped in this region due to landslides all over the hill country blocking the road network. Some of the believers are taking refuge inside the Kudagama Gospel Hall. The hall itself has been affected by a landslide at the southern corner of the property.
The worst areas affected are those in the North and in the East. For example, in Vavuniya every believer’s home is flooded. In the eastern province, large areas along the coastline were affected by the floods. There are several believers living in a low-lying area called Nasuvantivu in Valaichchenai that are still trapped and are waiting for the waters to recede to be able to come out. Believers in Ralodai, Palchchenai and some from Muttuchchenai are currently living in a temporary camp on high ground that has been set up by the authorities.
The Gospel Halls in Muttuchchenai and Pinnaiyadi have had their roofs blown off. The Gospel Halls in Valaichchenai and in Ralodai in the East have been flooded. The assemblyrun children’s nursery in Ja-ela has also been flooded, destroying all the children’s books and teaching materials. In Hatton, the homes of three believers were completely wiped out in a landslide. Most of the believers in Eastern Sri Lanka are seasonal farmers. These farmers have lost all their crops. Many of the believers’ phones have run out of charge, so it is proving difficult to stay in touch. The full extent of the devastation will not be known until the flood waters have receded.
The decision was made for us to return from the East on Saturday 29th November, along with our brethren who had been with us to translate, as their homes in Colombo were under threat. We set off early, and it proved to be a long journey, as we had to travel three hours in the opposite direction to reach the main highways. It was noticeable how many animals had left the jungle and were gathered at the roadsides seeking dry ground – cattle, goats, and even elephants! At one point, a bridge was so overwhelmed by the torrent of water flowing over it that we had to block the exhaust and get several men to physically push the vehicle across. By God’s grace, we made it safely to the other side and were able to continue our journey. It brought us great encouragement to realise that many around the world were praying for our safety and for the Lord’s people here in these trying days.
I have been speaking at the assembly in Badureliya in Southern Sri Lanka in the evenings this week. My main translator (a full-time worker from the Colombo assembly) who usually accompanies me has not been able to join me this week. This is because his home was flooded last Friday and 6ft of water remained in his home for five days. In addition to almost all his belongings being destroyed in the floods, his Tuktuk and his motorbike were also engulfed in the flood waters and are not working. Today he was able to return to his home that is covered in a thick layer of mud. His home is completely un-liveable at present. Electricity and water are not available as the network in his area has broken down. This is an example of how the lives of so many believers have been affected across Sri Lanka.
Tharindu (full-time worker) and his wife being rescued
This natural disaster adds to the struggles of Sri Lankans who are still trying to leave behind the scars of a 30-year-old civil war and the recent bankruptcy/ economic collapse of the country. I don’t leave Sri Lanka for another week so continue to pray that I might have wisdom in these strange circumstances we find ourselves in! Please remember this situation and the believers in Sri Lanka in your prayers.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16.
CHARLES DAVIDSON
5/12/25
Monday 2nd
DEM. REP. OF CONGO Katoka (DRC)
60th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Celebrations of Mary Ratter's 60 years in DRC were held at Katoka and Whitley Bay (Tyne and Wear, NE England) on the 22nd of November. These were lovely occasions when all who attended were able to give thanks for Mary’s lifetime commitment to the medical and assembly work at Katoka. Also, Mary spoke of God’s faithfulness to her over the years during challenging times. After a few attempts at trying to get a WhatsApp connection with Mary, we were eventually successful and there was an opportunity for folk in Whitley Bay to hear how Mary is getting on back at Katoka.
Please pray for:
• The orphan twins born at Katoka that began their lives with the heartbreaking loss of their mother during childbirth. We earnestly ask God to help us provide both safety and the essential milk required for their immediate survival and care.
• Trips to Angola for provisions and to Kolwezi to open a new bank account. Mary has recently been to Angola to purchase supplies for Katoka and then made a trip down to Kolwezi to open a new bank account for Katoka Hospital to ensure there is access to finances. Previously, funds were transferred to Lubumbashi and Rachel Newby forwarded them to Katoka. Since Rachel’s retirement earlier this year, there was a need for a new system.
Christmas
Mary is looking forward to celebrating Christmas back at Katoka this year. It is our prayer that the peace which He brings will be felt in DRC, particularly at this significant time when a peace agreement is being signed between the countries of DRC and Rwanda.
Vaccination Programme
We are delighted that children in Katoka are now receiving necessary vaccinations against measles and TB as a result of the recent drug order sent up to Katoka.
Please give thanks for:
• All who helped celebrate Mary’s 60th Anniversary.
• The safe arrival of the medication to enable the vaccination campaign to go ahead.
• Mary, Mukanda and Mwaji’s safe travel to Angola and Kolwezi to enable them to purchase well needed supplies and open the bank account.
Note from Publishers : Mary Ratter has served the Lord faithfully over many years. Mary is now an elderly believer who is becoming increasingly frail in body. However, we believe her cognitive ability is normal and age-consistent, as she continues to labour in DR Congo. Mary remains in control of funds sent to her. She will value our continued prayers.
C. 1965
Tuesday 3rd
ENGLAND Datchet
We have recently returned from a two week ‘Mission trip’ to St Lucia. While we were able to have a few days ‘rest and recuperation’, much of the time was spent working with missionaries and local believers there. Steve spoke about 15 times in 9 days including Bible teaching, Gospel and Children’s clubs. We were also privileged to spend some time with the Port Chaplain, visiting the crew on a couple of cruise ships. One of these visits included praying with the colleagues of a crew member who had sadly passed away shortly after leaving Southampton – you may have seen it on the BBC News. We are praying about further trips, similar to this, during the coming year.
The Christmas Exhibitions have now started, and we have bookings for eight schools. This year we are theming it around the different ‘houses’ in the ‘nativity story’. About 1,200 children will see it. We are grateful that the Lord enables these opportunities and are mindful of our need for good health, help and strength to do the work.
The airport will also become busier as we approach Christmas. We still have good opportunities there, particularly with the staff Bible study. When we were there earlier this week, we met an anxious lady in one of the prayer rooms. We were able to have a chat with her about knowing peace. She had commented that the room was peaceful and said “you have been the best part of my day”.
Your continued prayerful support is much appreciated.
C. 2012 STEVE & JUDI BUCKERIDGE 2/12/25
Wednesday 4th
VENEZUELA
Los Altos
In mid-September, together with Lois and the kids, we visited the Araya Peninsula, taking with us bible texts and tracts. We were able to be in the towns of Araya, Punta Araya, Manicuare, El Guamache, Caimancito, and Chacopata. Although we didn’t manage to visit every house, we distributed almost all the literature we took with us. The population is very poor, but they valued the texts; some expressed their desire to share the little they had and asked us to return with the word. We are told Mr. William McClelland (Mrs. Rae Ussher’s father) visited Araya many years ago, even before my in-laws were commended.
We travelled to the Araya Peninsula by boat and returned by land, visiting different towns and communities along the way. You might notice the little children holding their texts; they are very poor, and the background also reflects this in their homes. The area is very barren and feels abandoned. In another photo, you can see a family sorting through their fishing net in the evening, separating crabs, fish, etc. They are so poor, yet they offered us fish and asked us to return anytime.
El Hatico is about a 2½ hour drive from home, and it’s an outreach work that the brethren in the Puerto La Cruz Assembly attend on Saturdays. They have a children’s meeting at 10am, while the sisters prepare a big pot of soup. The children and believers then have soup for lunch, and at 2pm they
The map shows Araya at the tip of the Peninsula and the various small towns along the way to the mainland
Family sorting through their fishing net
Children holding their Bible Verses
have a Gospel meeting before heading home. We accompanied them a few Saturdays ago. You may notice the texts the children in El Hatico received – these are laminated and are a little more ‘child-friendly’. These were sent to us from a family in Ireland, and we’ve tried to use them carefully to make them last! They were planning to print and send more, but to cut a long story short, this week we were able to pick up 10,000 new texts, which we managed to print here in Venezuela. They are beautiful and will be much appreciated.
Upon returning home, I had to prepare for a two-week trip to El Mango, on the Paria Peninsula, in the eastern extreme of the country. Twenty-five years ago, the Lord allowed an assembly to be established there. It is in the same Sucre State where we live, but seven hours away by road. It is a small assembly in the mountain ranges of Guiria, and we now try to visit them at least once a year. On this trip I was accompanied by five other brothers. Every afternoon we preached in the upper part of the town, and at night we preached in the hall. We also visited the nearby towns of El Cedro, Río Salado, and San Juan, preaching in some of the homes and at the army command post. The visit encouraged the brethren, and even though no one professed, we have heard of some attending the meetings since and showing interest in the gospel.
This week we have been in San Pedro teaching on the Local Church. San Pedro is only 15km from home; there is a group of faithful believers with a good hall built over twenty years ago by Mr. McKeown. We believe there is the maturity to soon see the assembly established, and we are praying for this grace from the Lord.
We ask for your continued prayers for Venezuela; difficult times magnify the power of our God. Despite so much adversity, His work continues.
C. 2018 (Venezuela) PEDRO & LOIS MALAVE 24/12/25
Children from El Hatico
Thursday 5th
MEXICO Cancun
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” Luke 2:52
It is wonderful to see the perfectly balanced growth of the Lord Jesus Christ in every aspect: mental, physical, spiritual and social. Let us follow His example of growth to the stature of the fullness of Christ.
It is a pleasure to share news of the work in Cancun. Last November, we had our final series of meetings for the year, with over 15 new believers attending each night, some for the first time. We have also held meetings every Saturday at the home of a brother who invited his neighbours, friends, and co-workers to hear the gospel, and more than 17 people listened reverently. This December, ten thousand calendars with biblical messages arrived, and we have been sharing them with neighbours, house-by-house, friends, in public squares and in schools, etc. This service, where we can evangelise together in this way, has been a great encouragement to the brothers and sisters.
Along with Timothy and Amy Turkington, we had a busy time preparing for three days of teaching (from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th December) with Dr. Higgins (who spoke to us about Christ as the perfect man and about figures such as Simeon, Anna, and John the Baptist in the Gospel of Luke) and Pablo Thiessen (who shared teachings on the biblical worldview). It was a great joy for the believers here to enjoy these meetings. On Sunday, we concluded with a gospel message by brother Ricky Sawaztky, and a woman named Hazel professed her faith at the end of the meeting. A family of five visited us for the first time at the assembly which was also very encouraging.
We would appreciate prayer for Mr. Julio, who has been visiting us for over a month with his family. He says he is saved and agrees with the doctrine. Also, Mrs. Hazel, who very recently professed her faith, has been attending for about three months with her husband, Carlos, who is not yet saved.
Some of us from the assembly plan to travel to Puebla to help with the Seed Sowers effort during the last week of December. We we would apprecate your prayers for the work here.
C. 2018 (Venezuela) DAVID & SALY CADENAS
Friday 6th
COLOMBIA
11/12/25
Lev 22-23
Santa Marta
We came to live in Santa Marta, the capital of the state of Magdalena in September 2022, after having lived in Cartagena for ten years. The Lord was pleased to bless His word there and a number of souls were saved and meet as an assembly gathered to the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Since coming to Santa Marta, we have had Gospel meetings in several areas in the city. The Lord has given us the joy of seeing a few souls saved and baptised as they seek to obey the word of God, “They that gladly received His word were baptised” Acts 2:41. A pioneer work is never easy and at times we get disappointments with some who show interest, but fail to trust the Saviour and stop coming to the meetings. We are encouraged to know that we have the promise of the Lord: “Lo I am with you always, even until the end of the world. Amen”.
For some time, we have been preaching in an area called Tailonita with a number attending. We would value prayer for this work as it is in a difficult part of the city. We pray that God will continue to work and, in His time, we may see another assembly formed in Colombia.
Now, at the end of the year, we have been engaged with the different classes we have for the children. It is encouraging to have so many who attend to learn Gospel verses and at the end of the year we have a special meeting for them and give a gift to each one.
We plan, in the will of the Lord, to make a trip to Venezuela soon. It is three years since we have been and we look forward to seeing our family and the Lord’s people of the assemblies, who will be gathered for the end of the year conferences.
C. 2013 (Venezuela) JOSE & ANGELINA YEPEZ 17/12/25
Saturday 7th BRAZIL Sapucaia
During the months of October/November, our brother Joel Matos and I had a four week series of gospel meetings in Mostardas (12,500 population). In June this year, a man in his 50’s named José professed to be saved in meetings we had in Osório. He was born and reared in the small town of Mostardas which is situated about 125km south of Capivari. Having told his relatives there of the salvation he received, some of them expressed a desire to hear about this blessing. He therefore encouraged us to go and have meetings there. We began with 12 of these relatives present on the first night, but with the passing of the weeks, we had only 2 of his relatives there on the last night. This sometimes happens when one moves into virgin territory with the gospel. However, we were able to leave gospel literature in every home in the town.
Presently, a local brother named Leonardo, who is in the assembly in Novo Hamburgo, and I are in our 4th week of gospel meetings in Sapucaia do Sul, using the room at the back of our house where we have a regular Saturday night gospel meeting. Numbers remain around 20, but the remarkable feature is that about 4 or 5 neighbours are coming almost every night. Our next door neighbour, Dona Sabina, told us 30 years ago that there was no need to invite her to our meetings as she would never attend. On the first night of this series she was present and has rarely missed a night. She is a widow of eighty years of age. Please pray for her salvation.
As the end of the year approaches, there are the annual Sunday School Prize Givings associated with the assemblies. Last Saturday, we were at the Prize Giving in Fátima, Cachoeirinha, when a large number gathered to hear the Word of God and to see the pupils receive their prizes.
We are looking forward to the annual Bible Readings in Porto Alegre during the last week of the year. Besides the ministry of the Word on the 24th, we hope to study the four chapters of the epistle of Philippians on the 25th and 26th. We trust that we will have a profitable time.
Prize giving at Fátima
We hope to be printing the 158th edition of the magazine for believers this incoming week and have them ready for distribution in the Bible Readings in Porto Alegre. Please pray that this effort will result in the edification and blessing of the Lord’s people.
C. 1992
LINDSAY & BETH CARSWELL
8/12/25
ENGLAND Cheshire
Once more, we rejoice in the faithfulness of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ over another year. As the 20th year of ‘Renewal’ draws to a close, once again our God has met our need for which we rejoice.
We faced large challenges in the year, particularly financially, as the impact of the Government’s changes to employers’ National Insurance added an extra £60,000 to our costs (with having 32 employees) and most of our suppliers increased their prices by at least 10%. The Lord remained faithful and met us in our need for which we give praise to Jehovah Jirah, our Provider.
Work on the renovation project has moved forward throughout the year. This is to renovate another house to accommodate more people seeking our help. All the steel work and floor required for the rooms in the loft has been completed by the builder, along with structural repairs to the brickwork. Initial electrical and plumbing work is due to start in January. Praise the Lord that we now have the funds to complete the building work and now any future funds received will be used to repay the loan we had for the purchase of the house.
Through the work of Renewal, it has been a joy to see God at work transforming lives in wonderful ways. One such man was Jerome who recently wrote out his testimony for a ‘Stories of Change’ booklet we produced. Here are some of Jerome’s quotes:
“During the morning Bible Time, it kept coming up we (as humans) were all sinners and although I agreed that I’ve made mistakes, I’m not really a bad person. Over three months, I fell into a depression, which was a hard time for me. I later found that this was actually the Holy Spirit working in me making changes.”
Buxton Road
“One of the things I have learned is that to be a Christian you must accept that you’re a sinner. In the past, you may have done things your own way, but when the Holy Spirit comes, He changes your heart completely.” It has been a great joy for the believers at Renewal to see God at work in Jerome’s life and to observe the transformation of his heart towards the things of Christ. Praise the Lord in seeing another soul saved and being transformed into the image of Christ!
Over the 20 years that Renewal North West has been operating, the total number of non-offending years of those we have helped coming from prison is now 69. This represents approximately a saving of £5.8M to the public purse when looking at the costs associated with prison, arrest, conviction and probation. We give thanks to God that the charity has made this significant saving and give Him all the glory!
C. 2002 WESLEY & ALISON DOWNS 11/12/25
Monday 9th
EL SALVADOR
Num 1-2
San Salvador
We are thankful for what the Lord has done in 2025. The Sunday School in Santa Tecla has maintained an average of 30 children this year. We are thankful for the five couples that rotate weekly with the three different classes. On Sunday the 30th of November we had our special year end program letting the children present short skits of bible stories that they had learned over the year. We are thankful for the good number of parents that were able to be with us and the reverence shown to God’s Word during the gospel message.
Our Thursday night meetings continue to be an encouragement. What started with a group of about 15 young people between 13 and 20 years old, has grown to an average of 40. They can be a rowdy group, but after an activity and 10 or 15 minutes of singing they usually settle down and listen well to the gospel message. A few have professed to be saved, and we are trying to find a night that works well for them to be able to study the Bible in a more one-on-one setting. Pray for spiritual growth and salvation. On Sunday a good number of this same group attend the evening gospel meeting.
The annual Bible youth camp will be taking place from 16th – 19th of December. The camp is run between the assemblies in Santa Tecla and Scandia, and teens from all the local assemblies are invited. The theme this year is “Against the Current” using Romans 12:2 as our main verse; “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed…”. Last year a total of 60 campers attended the four-day camp. This year, 72 campers have signed up, most of them unsaved. With limited support staff, the larger group can become a challenge, however, we trust the Lord will use this effort to save souls and continue to encourage others.
Helping Hazel Brownlie has been a big part of our year ever since she fell in the first week of June. During the months of June and July she was in and out of the hospital several
Jerome
times due to back surgery, blood clots, infections and so on. Some say it’s truly a miracle that she is doing as well as she is now. She is walking with a walker and can get around her apartment to take care of her basic needs. There is still room for improvement that the doctors say may or may not happen. Her positive attitude is amazing, and one thing we know for sure is, 2 Corinthians 12:9 ‘And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me’. Please continue to pray for Hazel.
Thank you for your prayers on our behalf. It is truly a privilege to serve a God whose promises do not and cannot fail. ‘But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:19
C. 1998 (USA) KEVIN & PATRICIA FLETT
Tuesday 10th
9/12/25
ST. LUCIA Ciceron / Castries
The distribution of gospel calendars is a large part of December’s activities. This is the 5th year that calendars have been printed on the island with the support of International Bible House. It is customised for St. Lucia and this year highlights iconic pictures of local towns and places. We were concerned that the calendar printing would be delayed as a general election was called for 1st of December. With very limited printing capacity on a small island and all the demands for election materials, posters and advertising, we prayed that the calendars would not be pushed aside. The Lord did answer these prayers in a wonderful way as two thirds were completed on time, and the remainder was only shortly delayed.
The calendars and Scripture verses are highly anticipated each year and while other calendars are available, these would be the only ones with a monthly Bible verse. The results are known only to our Lord, but we pray that we will have joy while we sow and that He will be gracious in letting us see some of the harvest. The seven assemblies work in their own areas, and on other days larger group distributions are organised to cover towns and villages. The 32,000 calendars are given out to homes, offices, schools, hospitals, and on the streets. This year, there are four young people from Canada joining us in December, so we appreciate their support and trust that profitable friendships will be made with young people here.
Individual and group Bible studies with young believers continue most weeks for Trena and I, as we earnestly pray for this next generation to be spiritually ready to take the
Calendars in Anse la Raye
Num 3-4
Distribution group in Dennery Village
mantle of responsibility as they grow and mature. The Saturday Bible Class with young believers continues in our home a few times each month. We do pray for these youth, ages 13-25, and trust that we would receive much help from our Lord in teaching them God’s word clearly. Over the past months we have been teaching foundational doctrines under the topic of ‘those things surely believed’ (Luke 1) and the interest has been encouraging. We close with a request for prayer for our family. It is hard to believe that November 2025 marked eight years since we moved to St. Lucia. Our children are reaching ages and schooling levels where future choices need to be made. Please pray for our family as we slowly make plans for them in the Lord’s will to transition for work or school back in Canada over the next few years.
C. 2017 (Canada) PHIL & TRENA GOULD 14/12/25
Wednesday 11th NORWAY Skien
Num 5-6
We thank you for your fellowship, encouragements, love, and prayers. In a changing world, how thankful we are that our God changes not. His love, grace, care, and wisdom are some of the characteristics He has manifested to us again this year in many practical ways.
Jennifer, now in special home care for over a year due to loss of memory from brain radiation, is being wonderfully looked after by staff from all backgrounds and faiths, who love her and go the extra mile due to her physical condition and limitations. She is now cancer free, another answer to prayer, as her prognoses was 18 months to live back in 2018. Daily visits to her give opportunities to witness as we read, sing and pray together. Norway today is governed by a coalition of five parties, all left-wing in their ideologies, and totally against Israel. Norway was one of the first countries to acknowledge a Palestinian State and classified Hamas as a liberating force. Although the Jewish community is small in Norway, antisemitism is strong and widespread. This however gives us and other evangelicals the opportunity to historically explain why the land of Israel, people from Abraham’s time until today, exist. Recently I have had many opportunities to explain this to neighbours, and hospital and care staff.
We are blessed also by having Christian TV programmes, one especially “Bedehus Kanal” – Prayer House Channel (Originated when Jesus said “My Father’s House should be a House of prayer”) – has been a real blessing to many. Johnn Hardang, a lovely brother, along with others, are the driving force of the channel. Bible based or ‘conservative’ is the word Norwegians use to describe it! In these days of antisemitism, Johnn has promoted a recent published book in Norwegian called “Fordi jeg er Jøde” translated as “Because I am a Jew”. Over 50,000 copies have been sold already throughout Scandinavia.
We give thanks to God that He is raising up young men and women these days who are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. We have heard in the latter part of this year of places we visited before Jennifer’s illness seeing a movement of God in Salvation. At services, camps, youth meetings, high schools also, God is at work building His church, living stone upon living stone. Such things thrill our hearts!
In the Autumn, I had a seminar for leaders of various churches on the subject of elders, deacons and their responsibilities. I was encouraged by the response, and the aftermeal discussions were interesting, responsive and at times provocative in love!
In 43 years of serving the Master we look back with gratitude to you all and praise Him for His faithfulness. May we be like the old Scottish lady who each morning looked heavenward and said: “Maybe today, Lord, maybe today” as she awaited the Saviour’s soon return.
C. 1982 NAT & JENNIFER RODGERS
Thursday 12th
NEW ZEALAND
12/12/25
Num 7-8
Tauranga
We have much to thank the Lord for. Several times in the past two years we have requested prayer for Jon, Tina and family in London, as their son Owen has undergone treatment for cancer. Praise the Lord, Owen’s treatment came to an end over a month ago. Since then, his feeding tube and main line have been removed. He is eating and drinking well and putting on weight. He is running around and playing with his brothers. It has been a very difficult time for the whole family, but the Lord has brought them through it very well. So, thank you to all who have stood with us in prayer. The Lord has answered our prayers, and Owen has come through all the treatment satisfactorily and he is recovering well. Owen will return in January for CT scans etc just to see the results of all the treatment.
Richard is busy with Bible Studies and preaching. The Tabernacle, Epistle to the Hebrews, Psalms and the Book of Ruth have been recent topics for preaching. Together we are active in the assembly and give counsel as needs arise. Nancye enjoys sewing and is often at the sewing machine.
The churches we have worked with in past years in Colombia and Los Angeles still occupy our thoughts and prayers with interaction via email, WhatsApp and telephone calls. A brother and sister in Malaga, who were born in the 1970s, still keep in touch weekly, with recorded preaching and photos of church activities. It is so encouraging to see that a church planted in the 1970s, under much opposition and persecution, still exists and continues preaching the gospel in the town.
C. 1970 (New Zealand) RICHARD & NANCYE YARRELL 19/11/25
Friday 13th
IRELAND Cootehill
The end of 2025 brought with it lots of local events at the assembly in Drum. Carol services, craft nights and other events brought opportunity to meet many local people and to share the Gospel hope with them. As we wait on the additional space that the building project will bring, we set up video links and used technology to accommodate the large numbers that came along. We are glad that some who are not accustomed to the gospel message make it their regular business to attend the meetings we host. We pray that the Lord might work to let everyone see past any social value in coming together and to lay hold of the hope of Christ, who is at the centre of what we do.
The latter part of December saw us beginning the practical side of getting the building work started. After two years of design work, we started the process of planning approval in January 2025. Finally in December we got our final permission to build and while the road to having the new space ready will be challenging, we are glad to be past the paperwork. The new building will afford additional space to the assembly work, the Postal Bible School and to community events and may take as much as three years to complete, but we hope to find time to make a good start in the first half of 2026 in between our other responsibilities.
While local work and construction preparations were going on, the office in Cootehill was also busy keeping up with the PBS work. Things get busier in December and January as schools begin returning more material, and preparation for Prize Events begins. We hope to begin a series of 30 visits to students across Ireland in the last few days of January and that will run through February and a lot of March DV. Although we were a little discouraged to hear another school tell us that curriculum pressures meant they would stop the lessons after our visit, we remain prayerful that the Lord will maintain opportunities and work by His Spirit and His Word to stir up hearts to respond to Him through the communication of these bible stories.
As we look further into 2026, we have provisional plans made to host three STEP bible teaching weekends with the first happening January 16-18th. Summer camp is already in the planning stage and we pray for special help with that. Due to clashes with other events this year, our human resources will be more stretched than usual.
We are blessed to have so many who partner with us in the work of Postal Bible School and we praise God for every engagement our markers can have with their students. We look to the Lord for His continued blessing even beyond what we can recognise.
C. 2018
Drum Carol Service
Saturday 14th
SOUTH AFRICA
George
Matt 19:14 ‘But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ We give all praise and glory to the Lord as we raise our Ebenezer, for "hitherto hath the Lord helped us”.
Please continue to remember in prayer the Afrikaans Bible correspondence lessons.
We are thankful for the safe transport of all to the hall in Pacaltsdorp, mostly on the 70-seater bus, in a few trips. We are grateful for God’s protection. We give thanks for God’s provision for all these children – their gifts and food – including the 300 McDonald’s burgers provided by our brother John Elliott.
We also thank the Lord for all the helpers from the assembly, as well as our sister Grace and three other young people, who travelled up from Cape Town for the day. We are grateful for our brother Michael Botha, who ministered the Word. The theme was “THE CROSS”, and our theme verse was: 1 Cor 1:18 ‘For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.’
We rejoice that one young man, Christiano (15 years old), who does the lessons and often attends the Gospel meetings, received the Lord Jesus as his Saviour last week. Please pray that he may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please also pray for Michaela, who has expressed her desire to follow the Lord Jesus. She will begin senior school next year.
Please continue to remember in prayer the outreach to the Tuberculosis hospital.
We are thankful we can continue to distribute literature each week and pray with the patients. Please pray for Sisiwe, who professed to be saved through the
The Bible Correspondence Prize-Giving, December Christiano
reading of a tract. She told us she had read the tract, “Are you ready?” She said she confessed with her mouth and asked Jesus to save her.
Please continue to remember in prayer the assembly in Pacaltsdorp.
We are thankful for the visit and lovely fellowship we enjoyed from our brother, Ansley Forgus and family (Australia), who shared in the Gospel and ministry. Please pray for many unsaved who attended. Please pray for those suffering. Another sister, Marie, has contracted tuberculosis. Her son was the one who was murdered last year, and her daughter has suffered from breast cancer and depression.
Please continue to remember in prayer the cottage meetings.
Among other homes, we visited the home of Anthony Oelf, who had stage four cancer. He has since passed into eternity. We are not sure if he trusted the Lord Jesus before he died. We also had a meeting with his sister, Hester, who lives in a new area and who likewise has stage four cancer. Her husband, a retired prison warden, did not appear at the meeting. Sadly, he struggles with alcohol. We trust that he was still able to hear the Word.
C. 2000 (SA) ROBIN & MARY ROSSOUW 9/12/25
Sunday 15th
ALBANIA
The Assembly
Num 15-16
Our annual retreat in August was again very encouraging. Several unbelieving contacts attended, and we continue to pray that the truth they heard from brother Thomas will yet lead to salvation, all for the glory of God. These retreats are always a precious time of fellowship, renewal, and preparation for the work that lies ahead.
Our Saturday morning tract distribution initiates plentiful discussions and rich spiritual conversations with passersby. I am deeply encouraged that two other brethren join me faithfully each week. Winter weather makes outdoor outreach more challenging, but we remain committed to the work. “And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom 10:14)
Two young men have started coming to the Sunday Gospel meeting fairly frequently. R. began attending after a conversation with one of the believers at his grandmother’s funeral, which stirred up questions about faith in the Lord Jesus.
Mid November we again had our stall at the National Book Fair in Tirana for five days. This family-oriented event
Sisiwe from the TB hospital
Tirana
attracts thousands of visitors from all over the country. M. was able to join me for two of the days, and it was wonderful to see him engage more confidently with visitors and sharing the Gospel. Although the days were long, we had many meaningful conversations with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and beliefs, as well as distributing several hundred Gospel leaflets and books. The range of books we have been able to publish over the years in Albanian, meant we could offer suitable material to anyone who visited! Please pray that the Holy Spirit will use the literature and our conversations to convict and bless.
Several believers are struggling with family illness at present and lack of appropriate medical resources. Please remember F.’s father in prayer. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer shortly after she was baptised last year. Another believer’s sister is recovering in hospital after delicate spinal surgery for a complex tumour. These circumstances, however, bring the assembly together – praying not only for physical recovery, but above all for their salvation.
Literature Publication
We thank the Lord for recent progress in the publishing work. The newly printed book, ‘Salvation’ by Ron Diprose, presents the work of the Lord Jesus Christ for humanity’s redemption. This is a profoundly important subject – central to Scripture, and vital for every soul. Many of the more mature believers are rejoicing to have this comprehensive study in their own language whilst enjoying the doctrinal truths contained therein. I am currently proofreading ‘Biblical Eldership’ by Alex Strauch, while continuing to translate ‘Bringing Us to Glory’ by David Gooding.
Training Program
We are thankful for the development of the online discipleship program. It has been a joy to see the number of students committed to in-depth study of the Scriptures rise from three to twenty-five in a few years. The Lord has indeed been faithful. Once a month, we meet in person for teaching, discussion, and questions. Please continue praying that each participant will grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and be strengthened to serve Him in their daily lives and in their respective assemblies.
We have now completed compiling the material to study the doctrine of the Church. One of the ongoing challenges is the limited availability of sound Christian literature in Albanian – another reason why the publishing ministry remains vital, with the hope of leaving a lasting legacy for future generations, if the Lord tarry.
Librazhd
and Kosovo
We continue our weekly visits to the small assembly in Librazhd, as well as regular visits to the assembly in Prizren, Kosovo. The couple serving in Prizren often feel very isolated and under satanic attack, so we make it a priority to support and encourage them when possible. The wife is presently undergoing medical treatment with further examinations pending. Please pray for good results, the Lord’s sustaining grace and His restoring ministry.
Family
Our family are all doing well, though the dynamics remain a challenge. Luke continues his studies in Dublin while Benjamin and Esther are at High School in Lisburn. Benjamin is currently considering his future and applying for a tertiary education place. We look to the Lord to direct his paths.
Our heartfelt thanks for your genuine interest and your faithful prayers for our family and for the ministry here in Albania.
Monday
16th
BOTSWANA Gaborone
Hazel Logan and I travelled recently to Shoshong village (150 miles from Gaborone) to attend the prize giving held in the yard of Mavis, a retired nurse. The believers from Serowe came to support the Prize Giving and Pako from Serowe spoke. Among her Sunday School children are older teenagers who have trusted the Lord. Although her village is some distance from the nearest assembly, Mavis has found a way of giving them extra teaching from brethren in assemblies within Botswana by linking them to a phone call type conference line. This is not a facility we had even been
Believers from the assembly in Serowe come to Shoshong and other villages with Bible Lessons for the children at the different schools to complete. This work was established many years ago by Jim and Irene Legge and many teachers and villagers also complete the lessons. The work goes on faithfully each week. Please do place it in your heart to support this work among children in prayer. May God bless the seed sown.
C. 1990
aware of, but the cost is not too much and a couple of times a week they hear the gospel and ministry. How marvellous! May God bless the good work done in these villages throughout the country.
A few miles further down the road is another village and a Sunday School Prize Giving was held there too. It was really good to see parents attending both Prize Givings. Tefo from the Palapye assembly took the Prize Giving in this village.
Shoshong village
Tuesday
17th
VENEZUELA San Carlos
The political situation in the county is very tense, and everybody is expecting something to happen very soon. But living here, apart from what you hear in the news, you would think everything was perfectly normal. So far, we have liberty to travel and have meetings, but are praying that we may be preserved from war.
At the beginning of 2025 we started preaching the Gospel in Macapo, a very Catholic town with no assembly work. We felt the Lord’s help in the first meetings held in the back yard of an elderly couple, and several attended. But opposition from neighbours instilled fear in the owners of the house and they asked us to leave. However, one of their daughters offered her house in another sector, where we preached a few times and a few came in. Later on, the only believing couple we know of in the town asked us to have meetings in their house. A few have been listening and, as the people get to know us, we trust the attendance will increase. We are praying that the Lord will permit us to get a suitable place to start a children’s work in this area, and that He will provide the needed helpers for this work.
The work in El Pao continues slowly, with always some unsaved coming to hear the Gospel. We have been preaching in other parts of the town, to reach those who never come to the Gospel Hall. Pray that there might be a movement of God’s Spirit, awakening souls who have attended the meetings for years. The Bible class is more encouraging, with over 100 in the last class for this year. Manuel, the elderly man with cancer who professed last year, only misses a meeting when he is in too much pain. He hasn’t been baptised, because to legalise his marriage he needs a copy of his birth certificate, but the books in the local registry office were eaten by mice. Pray that he might be spared to fulfil his great desire to be baptised.
Children's Meeting in El Pao
The San Carlos brethren are seeing a real revival in Macanilla, where a work has been going on for years. I arrived one night after the children’s meeting when over 120 were present. Then I had the privilege of preaching to around 80 unsaved adults, almost the whole neighbourhood, who listened with utmost attention. The meeting was interrupted briefly by a terrific fight between two dogs that had wandered in with their owners. After the brethren put them out, the meeting continued with due reverence. Pray that souls might be saved in this privileged town.
Another young couple, Alberto and Aixa Heredia, will be commended to full time service next week at the Puerto Cabello conference, bringing the number of national workers up to Nineteen. Alberto has been helping in gospel work in various new areas, and Aixa’s invaluable advice as a doctor has saved many lives of believers since before Covid.
Alberto and Aixa Heredia, to be commended to full time service next week
C. 2000 (Venezuela) ANDREW & ELENA TURKINGTON 15/12/25
Macanilla hall full of unsaved
Wednesday 18th
BRAZIL
Santarém
‘This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.’ Psalm 118:23. The preaching of the gospel continues every fortnight in São Miguel, Nova Vista, São Pedro and Pascoal on the Arapiuns River. Several families regularly attend the gospel meetings. However, new doors continue to open along the Arapiuns River, which has about 48 communities.
Recently, a couple living in the community of São Sebastião (5 hours by boat from Santarém) asked for gospel preaching in their home. Their children, relatives and neighbours gathered there to hear the gospel. We have already visited them three times. About nine adults and many children regularly attend the gospel meetings. Please pray for Adilson and Marlice and the other residents.
Last week another family came forward, this time in the community called Barreirinha (8.5 hours by boat from Santarém). They also asked for the gospel to be preached in their home. About seven adults and several children heard the gospel that night. They have already asked for another visit in December. Please pray for Francisco and Gorete and their family.
We are very encouraged by the new believers on the Arapiuns River. They are growing and beginning to develop their spiritual gifts. We are holding a series of Bible studies with the new believers, and they are longing for more meetings during the week. Please pray for the new believers, Benjamin, Antonio, Jose and Conceicao, and young Elano.
We are finishing the construction of the new gospel hall in Nova Vista, where there are frequent gospel preachers. There is a great opportunity to
Local resident's house where the gospel was preached
New gospel hall in Nova Vista
evangelise to children and teenagers along the entire Arapiuns River, but we recognise our weakness and total dependence on the Lord. ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few.’
We understand that two visits per month to the Arapiuns River is not enough to meet all the needs that exist, so we are thinking of something that can be faster and more efficient to meet all these needs. We are praying about this, seeking to understand the Lord’s direction. Please pray for this!
At the end of November, the assembly on Tapará Island (2 hours by boat from Santarém) held its annual conference. Brother Crawford Brown from Bahia was preaching during those days, and it was a precious time of spiritual encouragement and fellowship with the assemblies in the Amazon River island region. One evening during the conference, there were a little over eighty unsaved people who had the opportunity to hear the gospel.
There are two other places where we have been frequently preaching the gospel, one in the community of Macurá on the Amazon River and the other in the Juá neighbourhood in the city of Santarém. In both places there is a small group of saved people. Your prayers are appreciated in favour of God’s work in the Amazon region in northern Brazil.
C. 2018 (Brazil) SERGIO & DEBORA RODRIGUES
3/12/25
Thursday 19th
Local Assembly
Num 27-29
The past year has brought several changes in this area – especially for Michael as he has become an elder. We are glad to have had some new individuals and families join us. We have also seen interest from a small number of visitors attending our Bible teaching each Lord’s Day. Sometimes language can be a barrier. However, we now have the use of excellent translation software. One Sunday the message was being preached in English whilst being translated into Russian, Portuguese, Arabic and Greek.
Reaching the wider community effectively with the gospel remains a slow and challenging task. We were pleased by the responses to our Christmas events. The room was full of parents and children for the Kids Club Christmas Night. The ladies ran another craft evening, which gave opportunity for the gospel to be shared and some new contacts to be made. We also rearranged how we did our Carol Service this year and saw prayer answered with a good variety of people attending. We were particularly thankful that some from our immediate neighbourhood came for the first time. Pray particularly for S, who has invited Shirley to visit with her.
Logos School
As ever, there are so many daily opportunities to share the Word with the 300+ students. Shirley continues to volunteer in the Maths Dept, for 1520 hours per week. Through the relationships developed there, she has opportunities for good discussion with students of varying faith backgrounds. Michael takes senior assembly every Wednesday and we both do several junior assemblies each month. The Thursday afternoon ‘Impact Clubs’ aim to engage pupils in the two senior years with staff, each other and the Bible. Attendance has been somewhat sporadic, and we are praying about what changes are required.
At the end of November, we had 41 students with us for a weekend retreat in the mountains. This was a good opportunity to get to know the students better and to teach them more from the Word. John Hewitt spoke on why Christianity is still relevant. Many of the students engaged in very meaningful conversations and we were pleased to hear of specific blessing in the days immediately after the retreat.
Wider Work
Several months ago, we had a weekend of Bible teaching for young adults looking at the theme of holiness. One enthusiastic young man was moved by the need of his peers to have more consecutive and in-depth Bible teaching. As a result, along with our colleagues Graham and Caroline Webb, a monthly Bible teaching meeting ‘Deeper in the Word’ was started in a local hotel on Saturday mornings with 20-30 young adults attending.
Michael and Graham also have a Bible study with young men every other Thursday night. Many of them are enthusiastic about the Word and are seeking to live for the Lord. The group varies greatly in nationality and spiritual maturity. Recently two men (who attended Logos School years ago) started attending occasionally. Pray for their salvation and for this study to strengthen and expand.
Family
Joel is working hard in the final few months of his Masters in Aerospace, while now applying for jobs. Erin is halfway through her Physiotherapy course. We were delighted when Beth and David got engaged last April. They will be married, God willing, in April 2026 and Beth will then move to live in Glasgow. It is a joy to us to see how the Lord has brought them together and we pray that He will bless and use them in the days ahead. Thank you so much for fellowshipping with us in the gospel, it is deeply needed and appreciated.
C. 2003
MICHAEL & SHIRLEY McKILLEN 21/12/25
Friday 20th
CANADA Kamloops, BC
I have been involved in the work of the Lord since June 1975. In December 1975 Elizabeth and I, with our three children, moved to Kamloops, BC, Canada. We followed up on contacts and very soon started a home Bible study. In February 1976 we started a midweek children’s meeting in a local school. We started with twelve children, including our own. That summer I had nine weeks of tent meetings, including children’s meetings, in three locations around the city. We had help by Gerritt Bergsma, a servant of the Lord, now with the Lord, and others. During that time, we had no indication that anyone had trusted Christ. However, when we restarted our regular children’s meeting numbers were very much increased, and very quickly grew, until we regularly had about 120 children attending. Over the next couple of years, a number of children professed faith in Christ.
Also, in 1977, I contacted a young couple, who started regularly attending our Bible studies, and very soon both trusted Christ. During that year, a number of other couples started attending the meetings and soon we were able to baptise about eight believers, including our two daughters and my own father. We saw a small assembly established in August 1977. Presently, there are 29 believers in the assembly.
About 1980, I started travelling to other places and had gospel meetings and teaching meetings in various Gospel Halls in Canada and the United States. I also participated in many conferences and had tent meetings during the summers. In 1997, I travelled with a Russian speaking brother to Russia. We spent four weeks in Surgut, a city in northern Siberia. There was a small assembly there. He had asked me to speak on New Testament church truth. From that year until 2019 I went to Russia every year, sometimes twice a year, spending many months there. Sometimes I was there from February to December. Elizabeth joined me from 1999 until 2007. From 1999 until 2005, we worked in Yekaterinburg, a city of about 1.5 million souls, just east of the Ural Mountains. We also visited assemblies in the Ural Mountains and in Siberia. In November 2005, we moved to St. Petersburg, to try to help the assembly there.
During the summer of 2007 while we were home in BC, I had a fall which resulted in serious back problems, which were not corrected until 2014. This curtailed our trips to Russia. I continued, twice a year, for shorter periods of time, until 2019.
Now, I am 87 years old. Most of my time is spent in Kamloops. Elizabeth is experiencing short term memory loss and some panic attacks. So, I don’t like to be away for long periods. Apart from my involvement in the assembly here in Kamloops, there are a couple of assemblies in BC that are struggling so I visit them for a week or so, when I can. Otherwise, I am doing a lot of writing. John Ritchie Publishers are expecting to publish a book of mine on the Book of Ruth, next year. I have just finished writing on Ephesians and have started on Philippians.
C. 1975
DAVID & ELIZABETH RICHARDS 3/12/25
Saturday 21st RWANDA Kigali
We sincerely thank all who have prayed and encouraged us. With great joy, we thank God for blessing us with our baby boy, Ema Keith, alongside his siblings, Era and Eza. “Children are a heritage from the Lord” (Psalm 127:3), and we praise Him for the gift of life and His protection over our family.
This year has been a season of testing. With changes in work and the temporary closing of our assemblies, we have learned to depend fully on the Lord. Yet we hold fast to His promise: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). In obedience to God’s call, Cyiza stepped into full-time ministry, trusting the Lord alone for provision. We have truly seen that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6).
Serving Our Home Assembly (Cyabatanzi) Acts 14:26-28
This year brought significant challenges for Cyabatanzi Church, as our assembly stayed closed for more than a year. Even so, God enabled our elders to continue shepherding the believers through home fellowship groups and consistent weekly Bible teaching. These efforts helped keep the believers encouraged, united, and spiritually strengthened throughout the season. By God’s grace, we have witnessed moments of growth, hope, and His sustaining provision –clear reminders that He is at work even in difficult circumstances.
Bible Literacy and Translation Ephesians 4:11–12
In 2024, among the 25,000 believers associated with the assemblies in Rwanda, 15,000 of them were provided with Bibles. As a direct result of this great provision, one of the major priorities in our way forward has been to strengthen Bible literacy and to advance the work of Bible translation. With the Scriptures now in the hands of many saints, we resolved to translate many good Bible-based teaching and discipleship materials into local languages, so that the Word of God may be clearly understood, deeply studied, and faithfully lived out.
Visiting Assemblies in Rural and Remote Areas Acts 15:36
We thank God for His faithful provision of the ministry vehicle, which carries His Word to places that were once difficult to reach. Visits were made to assemblies in Rweru, Nyanza, Cyabatanzi, Ramba, Mahoko, Sinai, Mata, Kamonyi, Gikondo, Kigarama, and Butama, where the saints were encouraged and strengthened in the Scriptures. During these visits, Bibles were placed into the hands of believers. Many rejoiced to receive the bible. We are encouraged to see how the Lord is opening doors into rural communities and nourishing His people with His truth.
Discipleship of Young People Deuteronomy 6:6–7
PRAY WITH US Colossians 4:3
We have continued to witness the Lord’s blessings through various opportunities to teach and disciple young people—both here in Rwanda and across Africa. Every week, we are also teaching youth through the BES (Bible Education Service) lessons, while simultaneously preparing for the youth camps that we organise during each school holiday. Through these ministries, we rejoice to see God shaping the next generation with a strong foundation in Scripture and a deeper commitment to Christ.
• 4,000 Bible Distribution – Pray that the distribution will be carried out effectively and that every bible given will lead to genuine spiritual transformation. Ask God for protection and smooth delivery as bibles and teaching materials are transported to various communities.
• Translation Work – Pray for accuracy, clarity, and spiritual impact of translated materials.
• Rural Ministry – Pray for strengthened assemblies and open doors across all locations visited.
• Please pray that we remain faithful to the calling God has placed upon our lives, and that every step we take would be aligned with His will and bring strength to the Body of Christ in Rwanda.
CYIZA & JACKY EMMANUEL
Sunday 22nd
FRANCE
As will be the case in many places, December will be a busy month in the life of the church here:
• We have already begun a series of messages on the advent leading up to Christmas taken from Old Testament prophecies. We pray God will bless His word to each one listening.
• We plan to have our meal for ‘Seniors’ in the church, to which quite often people who are not part of the church are invited and will attend.
11/12/25
Num 34-36
• Our special Christmas outreach service will be held soon and if we have the same amount of people this year as we have had in previous years, the church will be very full. We are very privileged to have a good number of children and young people and they will be taking part in this service.
• There will be a special session for the North African ladies who come along to the literacy classes. An appropriate story will be told and snacks will also be provided.
As you can see there is quite a range of activities there for different people from very different backgrounds and we do pray for the Lord’s blessing on each activity and on those responsible for the running of them.
On a more personal level, Alison is changing hospitals for the treatment of her eye problems. She has now been referred to a special eye clinic in Marseille where she will see another specialist. We have been told that this clinic is the very best there is as far as dealing with eye problems is concerned.
Graham’s scalp wound is healing well and according to doctors is now moving into the final stages of the healing process. He sees the doctor again and this could well be the final visit.
A big “thankyou” to everyone for your prayer support, which we value very much.
C. 1973 GRAHAM & ALISON BLACK 3/12/25
Monday 23rd
ANGOLA/ENGLAND
Cavungo
Camundambala
We arrived home safely just over a week ago and can only thank the Lord for His help in the work required by us (and Phil Kennedy of Brass Tacks) to complete the provision of a safe and secure home for sister Irene Cardoso serving the Lord in such a remote area of Angola.
Before we left, Phil and Jonathan extended the Landrover roof rack with steel to support all that we had to transport to Cavungo. There the work went well, and in fact, we finished the ceilings, shower room and soakaway lid earlier than anticipated, so returned to Camundambala to continue the long list of outstanding jobs there.
Camundambala
A bed frame was made for Irene (mid 60s still sleeping on a mattress on the floor).
Two small generators which had been kindly donated to us were serviced and set up and were given to two poor families, enabling them to run some light bulbs, charge a phone etc. in their (mud) homes.
Other machines (such as lawn mowers) which required servicing and mending were done.
The workshop was shelved to be able to organise, sort and store goods and equipment. Sunday evening youth came. After enthusiastic singing, we all read together Psalm 121, Philippians 2 v 5-11 and Exodus 20 v1-17. They then had the opportunity to recite individually any or all of the passages by memory. What an encouragement it was that so many can still remember and recite these passages, along with lists of disciples, tribes of Israel, plagues etc.
Ruth visited the immigration department again, but they were too busy to see her, so a text was sent to them, which has not received a reply. We have been told the applications which were received and stamped 4th August 2024, are still sitting on their desk.
Candover Valley (England)
Due to lack of response from various methods of contacting the school by Simon and Chrissie Hall, last week we revisited the Village Hall car park (opposite the school) and distributed leaflets to the parents for a Children’s Christmas After-School Bible Club this week. Simon will be speaking and we will just support and help where needed each day. Please pray for this work as it was requested by the parents of the children who attended in October.
Good News Hampshire
We are in the process of distributing 1,000 calendars in the local area, with the help of brother Martin Hall. Next year we hope to have a “South Coast Gospel Calendar” to distribute – Simon Hall has taken on this project.
Please pray with us:
• For wisdom and clear guidance from the Lord as to our future service for Him in Angola during 2026.
• For the Camundambala youth, who we love to share our home and enjoy company with, that they will continue to grow in the knowledge and love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
• For the gospel work past and children’s work present this week in the Candover Valley, both in the homes and the village hall.
• That every home that receives the gospel calendar will read it and be blessed by God’s word.
JONATHAN & RUTH SINGLETON
Tuesday 24th
BRAZIL
1/12/25
These last few weeks I have been going over the events of the past year and planning for the future. Soon it will be time for the end of year Sunday School presentation. I need to go through the lists and determine the children who have come consistently and those who have just come for special events.
The construction of the new hall has been progressing well and it is now time to choose the finishing touches, such as floor tiles, windows, doors, etc., so it is all go on that front.
We have seen blessing in the assembly and later in December we will have a baptism of a young lady who made a profession at the beginning of the year.
We continue with our discipleship class in my home on a Thursday evening at 6:30pm, when we have 10 to 16 youngsters from ages 12 to 20. A lesson is never usually completed in one evening, as what happens in school inevitably comes into the lesson and often we must go off at a tangent to discuss these things and provide direction.
Elaine has not been well with a flare up of fibromyalgia, but as school is ending soon for the holidays, she will have time to rest. She had to go to the eye specialist recently and there is a possibility of surgery in the future. In 2004, she had urgent surgery as she had retinal detachment, and now she is experiencing a few problems due to the surgery. Please remember her in your prayers, as she helps with reviewing and editing our magazine.
This weekend will be the annual Exposition of Bibles in the central square and on Saturday night a joint gospel meeting between the two assemblies will be held at the stall.
One of our elders, Sr. Urias, is still not well, but has been out at most of the meetings. He was sent to São Paulo regarding potential heart surgery and needs to return next month. God has miraculously brought Sr. Francisco, who was very ill, back to health and he is now present at all the meetings.
Thank you for your prayerful support in this vast land of Brazil.
Sao Joaquim da Barra
Wednesday 25th
ZAMBIA
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Rev 22:20
Kazungula
The close of another year is a reminder that time is never on our side. With so much that remains undone, our prayer is that we may ever be focused on what the Lord has allotted to each of His servants, that we may each discharge our responsibilities faithfully.
The year has been a busy one with normal assembly responsibilities, local visitation in the neighbourhoods with the Gospel and other assembly visitations for ministry and encouragement within the country and in some neighbouring countries like Tanzania and others.
It has been years since we last visited Malawi and our prayer is that, should the Lord tarry, we will be able to revisit. This is another door which is always open. We so much appreciate the work that our brother and sister Stephen and Gail Harper and the team are doing there.
• Pray for our assembly that the Lord may bless and prosper the testimony in the area so strategically located i.e. where four countries meet (Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe).
• Pray for the salvation of souls as we labour to make the way of salvation known, with so much spiritual and religious confusion all around us.
• Pray for wisdom, preservation and strength in our travels within the country and the region around us.
• Pray particularly for the many children we come into contact with in the few schools we visit during the terms, that our influence may be used by the Lord in exposing them to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of these children come from totally ungodly homes.
• Pray for continued peace in the Nation as the country heads towards elections in the coming year – that we may continue to lead quiet and peaceable lives and that the work of the Lord may continue to prosper (1 Timothy 2:1- 4).
We always appreciate the prayerful support of the wider family of the Lord’s people.
C. 1998 (Zambia) EVARISTO & ESTHER YAMBOTO 3/12/25
Thursday 26th
TANZANIA
We wish to thank you all for your fellowship with us in the Lord’s work here. Your prayers, interest and support uphold and encourage us along the way. Things appear to have settled back to normal in Tanzania following the violent protests around the Election period, but we sense that under the surface there is some simmering resentment and frustration, a feeling of injustice and anger at the reported loss of life and those still unaccounted for. We are now back in the UK for a short family visit, but we thank the Lord that most people heeded the call
not to support planned, but banned, anti-Government protests and stayed at home on Tanzania Independence Day, Tuesday 9th December. From information received, apart from Tuesday, life has continued uninterrupted for our fellow believers, workers and
those living in Kinzudi village. However, Dar es Salaam residents are now suffering from an acute water shortage blamed on drought, but other management and distribution reasons may also be contributing factors.
At the beginning of November, our enforced week in a safe haven during the unprecedented civil protests and unrest, caused a bit of a backlog, so great efforts were made to catch up with the many needs of the work. As Dar es Salaam began to reopen, Watoto Wa Thamani (WWT) was swift to restart, and the children were straight into making resources and rehearsing for the Christmas Nativity. The assembly was a lovely occasion, and the parents were so impressed with their children. We pray that the message left with them, and on items taken home, may have a lasting spiritual impression on their souls.
All the children in Class Two were provided with some help towards starting Primary School in January 2026, but the poorest 12 were kitted out with everything they need – backpack, school uniform, leather school shoes, exercise books and a filled pencil case. They were delighted and so were their parents.
The parents of Class Two children also received end-of-year reports, so that they could begin to register their children at Primary School for the start of the new year. One of the local headteachers rang Specioza to ask her to point the WWT children in her direction as our children are so well prepared. Some past children from WWT have jumped a year on entry because of the skills acquired, their attitude to learning and their behaviour. It’s so nice to receive independent confirmation that WWT is doing a good job and establishing a good witness for God and the gospel.
Class Two Graduation was held on the last day of the WWT year. The children turned up in their finery, and we all enjoyed a time of the children performing, singing and reading educational items, and reciting scripture and singing choruses. Class Two children were presented with a Kiswahili Bible Story book.
We rounded off both Kids’ Clubs for the year by giving out Christmas presents at the end of each meeting. Over 400 school-aged children received a filled pencil case, while more than 100 younger ones were overjoyed to get a cuddly toy. Many 2026 Calendars were given out. The people have very little on the walls of their homes, so are delighted to have something that will improve the decor!
We are thrilled to see Sara and Mama Selina together with their little boys, Peter and Daniel, respectively. Although born around the same time, Peter was 3 months premature. It is only by the Lord’s grace that both Peter and Sara survived. Mama Selina’s court case has been postponed for the umpteenth time and is now set for 22 January 2026 – it’s a most frustrating situation for all concerned. We ask you to pray for a positive conclusion to this saga soon.
C. 2002 STEPHEN & GILL DAVIES 12/12/25
POLAND
Writing from the USA
Thank you for praying for us – there is nothing we value more.
Last September, I was in Portugal for 10 days and Poland for 11 days. In Poland, I had an encounter with a young man (age 23) at a small assembly (Rydultowy). He came for the first time. I spoke about an angel speaking to Samson’s parents and after the meeting this young man told me an angel had spoken to him a few days prior and told him he needed to find God. He was working in Holland at the time. So, he quit his job, returned to Poland and his evangelical neighbour invited him to the meeting. He had been back in Poland only three days when he came to the meeting and heard me speaking about a man who was spoken to by an angel. I read for him Hebrews 1:1-3, John 1:1,14 and John 10:27 and he realised that you find God in His Word. So, he told me he would stop looking for signs and start reading the Word of God. Please pray for him (his name is Przemek, pronounced, Shemeck).
At another assembly (Lublin) I spoke a series of messages on Sanctification. There were several unsaved at the conference. One in particular was a husband and father, who has seen his wife and children transformed by the gospel, yet he himself has not shown much interest. He heard the messages and seemed genuinely stirred. Please pray for this man to find salvation in Christ.
There is much to be thankful for. Here is a small recap of 2025:
Poland and Portugal
Throughout 2025 I preached in many of the Polish assemblies (28) and also several Portuguese assemblies (8). Some I visited just once, others multiple times over the year. We were also involved in a youth conference in Poland where the topic was Sanctification. When not actually in the country of Poland, I was able to continue to teach the Word of God over Zoom throughout the year.
USA
Back in the summer we hosted a Summer Bible Bee in Pennsylvania and supported local groups around the nation. This is where children memorise scripture over the summer weeks (biblebee.org). Our family was also involved at Camp Iroquoina and Greenwood Hills, both in PA. It was a busy year of teaching the Word of God across eleven different states in the US and we trust the ministry given was beneficial to the saints.
Family
Joshua is a few months away from completing a PhD in Physics and is looking to do post-doctoral studies. Zachary is working at a local public school while he pursues a Master’s in Psychology. Elliot graduated from Grinnell college and started working locally. Joel has been given an opportunity to intern at a local bakery once a week. Daniel continues his online ministry to young people (Focus Ministries) and is applying to colleges. Moriah has developed a love for ice skating. Her health has improved much in these last few months. We are so very thankful for the prayers and interest so many have taken in her journey.
Finally, this was also the year the Lord took my father (age 88) home. I am so very thankful for his walk of faith and the eternal impact he has had on my life.
In January 2026 in the will of the Lord, I will be in Poland for three weeks of meetings. We appreciate your prayers.
C. 1998 (USA)
Saturday 28th
MARK & TAMI SWAIM 9/12/25
Deut 15-18
FRANCE Nantes
What a privilege to have you stand with us over the years! We want to thank you for your prayers. We are on this journey together and your prayers count! May you be encouraged to keep praying for us and others you know who are serving the Lord across the globe.
Please continue to pray for the two Discovery Bible Groups on Fridays. We currently have five people attending ages 27 to 57! As we move on, we need to pray for perseverance on the part of the seekers, and that the Holy Spirit would be at work in their lives, maintaining their desire to know more and that the outcome will be lives changed for the glory of God!
We would ask you to pray for a young couple in our assembly, Abraham and Eunice. Abraham has recently been recognised as an elder. We each try to take time individually with Abraham and Eunice to help equip them in their commitment. They have three young children plus Eunice works as an optician and yet she is keen to serve in the assembly as much as possible. They are both a beautiful example to other young families. We value prayer that our role as older folks who come alongside them would indeed encourage them as they set out. There are so many temptations for young families these days, and we praise God for those who resist the desire just to settle down in this materialistic society.
Dorothy still finds joy in one-to-one times with sisters in the Lord. Just to sit down with a cup of coffee and chat about their lives, service, various challenges and then to pray for each other. She still manages the bookshop and that is a role that brings her much joy. Of course it brings its share of challenges too, but we’re thankful for a great team of helpers. Recently we were able to provide an extensive stand of books at a ladies’ conference in the neighbouring city of Rennes. It was a joy to see many ladies go home with good literature to read and the feedback has been most positive.
The growing church represents a major challenge as well. It is a great encouragement to see a new generation of leaders taking responsibility. A lot of my time is invested in mentoring these new leaders and preparing the next steps in the life of the church and our ministry in general. The complicated world in which we live is reflected in the increased pastoral issues we are facing in the church - much wisdom and grace are constantly needed. The lack of space at the Beaujoire (we now have two identical services Sunday morning to fit everyone in) and the difficulty of finding suitable premises for the new church plant in Orvault (a suburb of Nantes) remain challenges.
C. 1985/88 GERRY & DOROTHY SEED 15/12/25
C=Date of Commendation
Published by:
LORD’S WORK TRUST 42 Beansburn, Kilmarnock KA3 1RL
