Peterson's Prayer Guide - March 2009

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Cor. 9:8 (NIV)

As I type this, Gary & Josiah have just returned from their trip to visit The King’s College in New York. It was a full, but very helpful and informative trip for them, and a good father-son time as well. Believe it or not, I enjoyed having 3 quiet days all on my own! Josiah is feeling the pressure to make a decision about college soon, but needs to pray and process some more before he feels ready. Please continue to pray for him.

Gary & I leave on Saturday (Feb. 28th) for California. We’d be grateful for your prayers while we’re out there: for safe travels, good health during what will be a busy time, good connections with our supporters, family, and any new folk the Lord wants us to meet. Pray for wisdom in what to share in each setting, sensitivity to the Spirit as we interact with people, and that we would be a fragrant aroma of Christ. Please pray too for our kids during our absence. This will be Josiah’s first time to be home alone for a week, and Esther will be doing some travel to come home during her Spring break.

Esther has found a good option for her internship in June, helping friends of ours who work at an orphanage in Kathmandu, Nepal. I (Robyn) spent 3 years there as a child, so I’m really excited that Esther might get to see where I lived. There are many details to work out yet, so please continue to pray that things come together if that is God’s will for her.

Most of you are aware that Australia has been hit with catastrophic fires in the south east, and floods in the north in recent weeks. My family is safe, but they feel the stress of not knowing when fires may threaten them. There are still several fires out of control and more bad weather conditions just ahead. Join us in praying for God’s protection, for the hundreds who have lost loved ones, the thousands who have lost property, and all those trying to help. Our thoughts and prayers are with them many times a day.

Gary’s report: We’ve had lots of visitors to Wycliffe’s Discovery Center in February, some great kids and youth among them. As usual, the month’s schedule changed after we sent it out to you… I received a letter from a 12 year old today saying how much she enjoyed her time with us. She was very excited and has committed to pray daily for the Bibleless People group she adopted in Indonesia. Another class also adopted a people group to pray for until they get the Bible in their language. Wow!

This month we’ve had a lot of help in the kids program from Wycliffe Associate volunteers. These mostly seasonal volunteers, along with several locals have helped fill our staffing needs, and they have done it with great talent, commitment and passion. Most of them are retired teachers so relate well to kids. Half have been here previous years so know our programs. Though none had worked with the older students (the age groups I’m in charge of: middle school – college) and they were terrified of them, many of them have stepped forward to be trained, and they have done a great job. The problem is that most will be gone by the end of March. Pray that the Lord will provide more locals who can help out year round.

Gary’s Schedule

February 28 – March 16th in California for the Mission Conferences at Grace Church, San Luis Obispo and Grace Bible Church, Arroyo Grande.

Pray for the Wycliffe Discovery education team while I’m away. They have a full schedule of groups coming in, including two large groups on March 13th when they have 98 6th graders and 46 adults coming for a Mission Encounter (M.E.) program, and 30 Campus Crusade college students, also for a M.E. program. Pray that they find enough staff, but also pray that those who come would really be challenged and impacted.

18th Mini M.E. for Blue Ridge Bible Church (a youth group from out of state). They are here for their week of Spring Break to do work projects for Wycliffe.

19th A-Z Adventure and M.E. program for Lighthouse Home school Group (40-50 students + adults)

20th Special devotional for Wycliffe Associate volunteers on the center. Pray that I will inspire them and challenge them to take back the vision to their churches as they return home after a few months of volunteering here.

24th M.E. for First Lutheran School (20 students + adults)

25th Teaching on missions at First Baptist of Eustis, Florida. This is a bit of a drive and will be after work, which means I’ll be getting home late. But this church is trying to grow a mission vision, so I’m excited to be a part of it.

26th A-Z Home school group (details still coming)

27th A-Z program for Friends Academy & Living Waters Fellowship (43 students & 9 adults)

Petersons’ Prayer Guide - February 2009

And we can be confident that He will listen to us whenever we ask Him for anything in line with His will. And if we know He is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that He will give us what we ask for. 1 John 5: 14-15 (NLT)

Here are some items to thank God for:
I have been released by my surgeon and physical therapist because I’ve made great progress with my knee. I have full range of motion in it again, although it’s still painful with a hard flex. (I’m told it could take up to a year to get over that).

Most of you (everyone with e-mail) received a special prayer request from us on January 8th telling the sad news that the father of Esther’s boyfriend (a fellow Bible college student) had just committed suicide. We so appreciate the prayers and notes from several of you. Although it will obviously take a long time to get over such a difficult experience, Charlie is doing pretty well. The college community has been very supportive, and the practical details that need to be taken care of are gradually happening. We ask you especially to pray for Esther, who wants to be there to support Charlie as he works through things, but has a heavy study load this semester and has already been feeling overwhelmed at times. Pray for wisdom in knowing what’s important to do when.

We are keeping an eye out for good airfares for several trips coming up, and were recently able to purchase our tickets from LA to Melbourne at much less cost than we’d expected. Praise the Lord! We plan to be in the Melbourne area from June 2nd to Aug. 1st.

Esther is working out the details for her internship in June and we would be grateful if you’d pray for that process. Pray for clear leading as to where she should do it, diligence on her part in getting preparations done in a timely way, and provision of funds to cover the cost of travel.

In our last prayer guide, Gary mentioned needing to prepare to teach Perspectives classes in February. Well, to his surprise, he found out that two of the classes were scheduled in January, not February! So he’s had a very busy time getting his prep done so he could teach a lesson he hasn’t taught before (probably 30 hours in about 4 days!) The first class was on Sunday (my birthday), so I didn’t see much of him, except when he and Josiah made me a nice breakfast. He felt that the classes went well, so that’s a huge relief! See his schedule for when the other 3 classes will be.

We would like Josiah to attend a college preview weekend in New York City this month. Please pray that we’d find good airfares, there would be no bad weather to interfere with the travel, and that Gary can find accommodation with people instead of having to pay for an expensive hotel. Josiah can stay with the students. Pray too that this visit would help Josiah in his decision.

February 25th is our wedding anniversary! We are so thankful for God’s blessing of a happy marriage these past 25 years.

There are mission conferences at our two main supporting churches in California for the first two weeks of March. We haven’t made it to these in quite a few years, so feel it’s important to attend this year. Josiah won’t go with us since he will still be in school, but Esther will come home and keep him company for a week during her Spring break from college.

Gary’s schedule
2 & 3 Host in the Discovery Center and do the morning tour (Because we are short staffed I’m filling in).

5 Mission Encounter program for Sarasota Christian School. (45 7th graders & 13 adults)

9 Teach lesson 5 of Perspectives at noon for Pastors in Gainesville, Florida and from
6:00-9:00 pm in Ocala, Florida.

10 Teach lesson 5 of Perspectives from 6:00-9:00pm in Gainesville, Florida – then drive 2.5 hours home.

11 Special tour for a senior pastor from Sarasota, Florida.

16 Mission Encounter for youth group from New Covenant Church, Kissimmee.

19 A-Z Program for Orangewood Christian School. (42 second graders & 10 adults)

20 A-Z Program for Glencoe Classical Academy. (25 K – 5th graders & 5 adults)

19-21 Josiah and Gary visit The Kings College in New York City. (They meet in the Empire State Building!)

25 Our 25th wedding anniversary !

26 A-Z Program for Shores Christian School (30 second graders & 10 adults)

27 A-Z Program & Mission Encounter for Classical Conservation Home School Group (38 students grades 1-12 & 15 adults).

28 Robyn and I leave for California for 2 weeks of mission conferences.