Petersons’ Prayer Guide – February 2006

*Thanks for praying for the Wycliffe National Mobilization Conference this past week. It was the first time in the history of our organization that all the US Mobilizers (recruitment, church relations and specialty recruiters - like those working with various ethnic groups, Information Technologies, Children's Education, etc.) gathered to meet, pray, talk, learn and encourage one another. I saw friends I haven't seen in years, and made many new ones. We have been given the challenge to recruit 7,000 new members by the year 2014. This is to help fill in for the many in our ranks that are now well into retirement years (Wycliffe started in 1942 www.wycliffe.org/wbt-usa/WBT-hist.htm) as well as bring in the needed workers to help us get started in the remaining languages needing Bible translation by the year 2025. If the Biblically based churches in America would send and support one person out of every 5143 born again American Christians, we would have our 7,000 people. Is this possible? Join us as we ask God to make it so.

* Powerful storms pummeled California just after Gary left his mother to return to Florida (before the New Year). An electrical power pole behind her home was blown over. She has been without electricity for 4 weeks, and finally had it restored yesterday! Praise the Lord! She’s held up admirably through this challenge. Please continue to pray for her in these days of transition to widowhood and all she has to take care of.

* I’ve really been enjoying the Perspectives course each Tuesday night. If you haven’t done it, and would like to be challenged and encouraged and have your understanding of God’s work in the world grow, I highly recommend it! The class that Gary was to host at Wycliffe ended up being cancelled due to lack of participants. He will be teaching the class in 4 other locations around Florida in the coming weeks (Jan. 31, Feb. 5, 6 & 7) and would appreciate your prayers for adequate preparation time and that God would speak through him to each group.

* Feb. 2 Gary drives to Lexington, South Carolina where he’ll be running the JOURNEY program for a Presbyterian church there on Sat. Feb. 4th. Please pray for safe travel (he’s pretty tired with everything he’s had on his plate lately), the right staff for each role, the participants God wants to speak to, ethnic people to show up and do their part well, and that God would use this program to speak powerfully to these folk and excite them about missions in lasting ways.

*Feb. 3-5 Esther is going to a “Weekend of Champions” with the Christian group (FCA) from her high school. This is a camp for teens from all over Florida. Pray that she’ll have a good experience there and God would use this in her life as He desires. The friends she’d hoped to “hang with” aren’t going due to college interviews, so she’s disappointed about that.

* Feb. 11 Gary is helping with a Transcan here ( a one day taste of Translation for interested folk). Pray that he’d do his part well and God would use this in the lives of those who come.

* Feb. 23 & 24. Gary is taking some specialty training for recruiters. Pray that he’ll be able to put into practice the things he’s being taught.

* Feb. 25th. Our 22nd Wedding anniversary (:

* Josiah DID get his drivers permit and has had a couple of lessons with Dad so far. He has many opportunities to be a witness at school with teachers and students. Pray that the Lord will give him sensitivity as to how to do that well.

* There is such a lot going on right now, and we’re all feeling tired. Please pray that we’ll pace ourselves and get the rest we need.

Thanks for your vital partnership through another month. Love in Him, our Sustainer, Helper and Lord. Robyn & Gary Peterson

Peterson's Prayer Guide - January 2006

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning! Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord!”

By now many of our friends will have heard that Gary’s father entered his eternal home on December 16th. We praise God for His mercy as He released Pop from his earthly body with all its ailments. Although we will miss him until God reunites us in heaven, we are grateful that Mom is now relieved of the burden of caring for him as his health failed. We are so grateful too that it happened at a time when our schedule could be freed up for all of us to travel to California to be with Gary’s family and our supportive church family there for the memorial service.

Praise God with us for helping us to find flights over and back during this busy holiday season, and for those who have offered financial assistance to help us pay for them. Praise Him too for the excellent opportunities we had to spend time with relatives we hadn’t seen for quite awhile. Praise Him especially for the way He used Pastor Scott Peterson to help, encourage and minister to our whole family in particularly significant ways. We had to cancel our trip to North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia, but we hope to reschedule it a few months from now.

Praise God for more meaningful contact with our neighbours as we rebuilt our fence. Gary, Josiah and James (from next door) worked very hard to complete both side fences the day before we left for California. We still need to remove some shrubs and brick pillars and install gates on both sides.

The visit from Pastor Paul (Australia) went very well. It was truly a blessing to have him come. He left us feeling loved, cared for and bathed in prayer. I believe this was significant as we faced Pop’s death just four days later.

Esther got her class schedule worked out for the new semester. Thanks for you prayers for that process. After she finishes high school, she would like to do a 6 month DTS (Discipleship Training School) with YWAM (Youth With A Mission). She’d be grateful for your prayers as she seeks God’s direction as to where in the world she should do this. (It’s offered in many countries.)

Please pray for Mom (Betty) Peterson as she adjusts now to being alone after 53 years of marriage. We’re grateful that her other son and daughter live near her and she has friends from church who will support her during this time.

Total It Up, the 5 day taste of translation and literacy course will be held Jan. 2-6. Pray that those who come will hear God’s clear leading as regards their future participation in the task of Bible translation. Pray too for the staff (including Gary) to be used by God for His purposes. I will be preparing a Philippine dish for the participants one evening.

The Perspectives on the World Christian Movement courses commence on Jan. 10th. I will be auditing it this time and Gary will be teaching a couple of the lessons as well as hosting the one held at our Wycliffe office each Wednesday until May 3rd.

The Mobilization department that Gary works in is to hold its first ever convention from Jan. 23-26. Pray that this will be an encouraging, helpful time as mobilizers from all over the country gather for it.

Josiah turns 15 on January 10th. He hopes to get his driver’s permit soon, so we’d be grateful for your prayers for safety as he gains experience.

My mother is still awaiting an appointment for her bladder cancer biopsy.

We will launch into the New Year without having had a real break. Please pray for strength to tackle all that awaits our attention. Pray for daily refreshing and opportunities for rest when we need it. Pray that we’ll have the chance for a short vacation before too long.

May God bless and encourage all of us as we begin 2006. May we each make our relationship with Him our highest priority and experience His presence in real and wonderful ways.

Love and thanks for your invaluable friendship in Christ. Robyn, for the Petersons