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