Gospel Trips Report and Prayer Burdens – February 3, 2016
Düsseldorf, Germany – February 3
On Lord’s day, we had a sweet blending Table meeting with the saints and churches near Düsseldorf and also the churches in the Netherlands! The saints sang and enjoyed the Lord in English, German and Dutch. Many expressed how wonderful it was to be able to blend together in the Body and that we can all be one despite our language, cultural, or regional differences. About 177 saints were present and 22 children. As we ate the bread and drank the cup, we were all happy to declare joyfully the words of
Hymns, #1106:
Oh, what can we say now except “Hallelujah!” For such a reality given to us.Thy blood we’re employing, Thy Body enjoying; Thus Thou wilt have the church for Thyself glorious.
As we near, what is for many on the team, the end of our gospel trip, there are number of considerations that we have and items we are especially burdened for the saints to pray for:
• That the Lord would strengthen the local saints and encourage them in their endeavor to continue with all the contacts we have made and all the labor we have begun.
• For the follow-up courses being offered to many refugees – that they would be a means to help these ones learn German, have a healthy walk with God, and help them receive the riches found in the gospel of John.
• That the Lord would especially care for our translators and gain some of them as solid members in the Body for the gospel, the work, and the ministry.
• For the Lord’s blessing on all the incoming groups of saints over the next couple of months to Düsseldorf; that there would be a seamless transition in the continued labor and care of our contacts. Finally, we’d like to share a very sweet interaction that we believe represents much of our time there.
One of our translators joined a home meeting to help translate for another refugee that we had brought. But we believe that home meeting was also for him. As he was on the car riding home with the brothers, he shared how thankful he is to the Lord that he could meet us. He said joyfully with tears, “My brothers and sisters. I have found my family. I have found my home.” The night before we left, he spoke to a brother on the team and said, “This last week, you all helped me here (pointing to his heart).” The brother responded, “No, that was God.” He responded, “Yes, but you all gave me the keys to open it.”
Brothers and sisters, our report is, “Let us go up at once and possess it; for we well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30). We hope that these reports have encouraged you that what is happening here in Germany is truly the moving of the Lord. This is only the beginning; what will the Lord do in His Body over this coming year?
“And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole inhabited earth for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14
Lord, thank You for everything you have done in this past week in Germany. Lord, our eyes are set on You as we are expecting Your blessing all over Germany. Lord, gain whatever is on Your heart for Germany. May we, as Your Body, respond to Your need. May this gospel of the kingdom be preached to the whole inhabited earth for a testimony to all the nations! Then the end will come! Come, Lord Jesus!
The Team in Düsseldorf