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Pray that God will fill the Slavic believers with a hunger for His Word: "Desire the sincere milk of the Word" (1 Peter 2:2), and a spirit of prayer: "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Ask God to call many young men and women to serve Him sacrificially and sincerely in places of leadership. Pray that some will choose to serve in other Slavic countries as missionaries. Intercede for the Christian leadership in Eastern Europe that they will withstand the powers of darkness and remain stable in their spiritual roles. |
To Those Whom God Loves,
Greetings in the name that is above all names, our Lord Jesus Christ. We have just been through one of the coldest winters in a hundred years. This past summer and fall, while I was in Israel having good weather for outdoor evangelism, the weather in New York was unusually windy, rainy and cool. Then it turned quite pleasant when I returned. It happened that way with the trip as well. I don't have enough "hubris" to think that God centers the weather around my agenda, but I do know that the One who knows all things just might have me where He wants me at the right time. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go" (Psalm 32:8).
SPRING & SUMMER PLANS
Finally, plans have materialized. First, I will visit my mom, who is 94 and of failing health, in Idaho. Then, I will visit our kids and grandchildren in Texas. (Don't want those little ones to forget their grandpa. Marilyn goes down there three times a year.) When I return, I'll prepare for my trip to Israel on May 30.
I will leave Tel Aviv for Belarus on June 19. I will be in Minsk and Gomel for two ESL programs that attract hundreds of college students and others. I'd like to look around the corner to tell you how it will go, but God's way is "I'll go around the corner with you, and then you'll know!" On July 10, I return to Israel and the next day back to the United States.
In the meantime, we have had good ministry at Hope of Israel with opportunities for preaching, counseling and music. The folks at the Russian owned and staffed adult daycare center have been responsive to the weekly Bible studies with music. I believe our discipleship Bible study has been meeting needs. A number of evangelistic contacts have also been fruitful.
MOVING PLANS
A rather unsettling announcement was made by our landlord recently. We have lived in our apartment since 2001. A decision has been made to sell this building by the end of summer. Our contract expires at the end of August. At this time we have no idea where to go. Please pray with us about this matter.
In the span of a year, all of our supporting churches were visited. That has become less difficult to manage, in that, the number of churches is about half of what it once was. God is faithful and His calling is irrevocable.
When we started as young missionaries, almost all of our support came from people older than us. Well, now that we have become older, many of those dear older folks have gone to be with the Lord. Nevertheless, our support has grown over the years and is stable. We are grateful to God for His provision. We have trusted the Lord of the Harvest to put it on the hearts of His people to do what is pleasing to Him.
We thank Him, and we thank you for your interest and desire to participate. Please keep us in your prayers regarding the summer plans.
Following in His steps,
Steve and Marilyn Walden
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Pray that the Gospel will reach the millions in the Slavic countries that have not yet heard what Christ has done for them. Many small cities and towns still do not have an official place of worship. Ask God to help the Slavic churches be effective witnesses in their neighborhoods. Pray that souls will continue to be saved, baptized and discipled through the ministries of the church. Pray that the Holy Spirit powerfully and persistently will convict men of sin and lead many to believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. |