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Paul Gray |
January - March 2003
Greetings Beloved,
WOW, have I been encouraged since I got back! Some of our Bible Institute
students have been continuing to follow God in His leading and are using the
training that He has provided for them. Several of them have been continually
faithful in going to different towns and preaching in their bazaars. And some
of the other church members have been going with them to help pass out
literature and witness to people. Not only have all of our people been
encouraged and Christians that have walked by have been encouraged, but some
people are hearing of salvation by grace for the first time.
I was also encouraged by the dedication our young preachers have shown to the
other works that God has given them. On a snowy Sunday when hardly anyone was
traveling on the roads, two of our preachers hitched several rides, and then
walked more than 7 miles through the snow to go to the village that God has
opened to them. The people there were amazed when they arrived and asked them,
"How did you get here?" When they said that they had walked, the people were
even more amazed because the area they walked through has wolves. And this made
the people praise God even more for how God had protected his servants. And God
again encouraged me when I heard some of our younger preachers asking prayer
about opening up new services.
I want to thank everyone again so much for being so good to me while I was in
the States. I appreciate all that everyone did for me. It was a blessing and
encouragement to see everyone again. I hope to get to see everyone that I
didn't see this time the next time I come in. Many people and churches gave me
love offerings while I was in. I thought you might like to know how this money
was and will be used...1. $2,000 for the missionary trip to Siberia this summer;
2. $500 towards missionary trips in Ukraine this summer; 3. $1,250 towards Bible
courses; 4. $1,000 to ship to Ukraine boxes of donated clothes, shoes, scripture signs, etc.; 5. $850 towards
Bibles; 6. $500 towards a computer and printer to be used for the Institute,
church, etc.; 7. $400 towards medicine, food and shoes for those greatly in
need. Those going on the missionary trip to
Siberia are encouraged that God has already
supplied the money for the trip. I'm glad we already have some money towards
our bigger missionary trips in the summer. We were already out of some Bible
courses and this money met an immediate need. The donated clothes and things
have already arrived and the people are extremely thankful. We were already
borrowing Bibles so the money for Bibles came at a very needful time. The
computer and printer have already greatly helped me in the Institute.
While I was in America, God blessed me with one or two more churches who
promised monthly support. This is a great blessing because as God expands His
work here He provides for it. Letters have been gradually increasing in
number. One lady wrote that her mother asked the local priest about getting a
Bible. He said for about $10 he would be glad to get her one. This woman
cried for two days because she so much wanted the Bible and couldn't get one.
Her daughter said that often they even go without food for a day or two, so that
much money for a Bible was totally out of the question. She heard about us and
asked if we could send her mother a Bible. I can't find the words to describe
the joy with which we send such people Bibles. Thank you so much for praying
for us and for being a big part of God's work here. Please pray because our
adversary the devil is against this work, but if we'll just be faithful, God
will bless!
With love and prayers, Bro. Paul Gray John 16:33