A foundation of prayer

"What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use -- men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men -- men of prayer." (E.M. Bounds)

The Lord has been reminding me through different means such as this quote from E.M. Bounds and through some other real life experiences the absolute necessity of prayer. Its one of those things that you know but for some reason or another tend to fail to give the attention its due. Thankfully the Lord is gracious and patient with us and gives us little reminders that He is wanting and waiting for His children to come to Him in prayer.

We are currently laying a foundation here in Paarl for the work that He wants to do here by building relationships with the people here and praying continually for them and for the whole valley. We have met many people some not so welcoming and others very welcoming. This is a very interesting and challenging place for a young American couple coming from our backgrounds to live and plant a church, but I am convinced that as much as this church plant is for the people of Paarl that God is equally if not more at this time using it for the molding and shaping of Misty and I. It's kind of hard to explain but anyway we are very excited at what is already happening here and we would ask you to if possible "turn up" the prayer for us now, it's a crucial time as we're looking for a venue to start a weekly bible study and we want to be right where God wants us to be and be there when He wants us to be there. So please pray.

My mom is coming next week for about three weeks so we're very excited to see her. Please pray that her visit would be blessed and for her travels. Also please pray for the Sexton family as they are gearing up to move over hopefully by August. Please pray for the outreach we have planned here in a local park, that the permit for us to meet would be granted to us. Please pray for the team from CC Tustin that will be here in September for the CC Africa Conference and for Barry our pastor and his wife Teri who will be speaking there. Please pray for CC Capetown and for Demitri and Karen that God will continue to bless them in all they do, and for CC Kommetjie and for Julian and Monica as well.

Misty and I thank you who are supporting us and this work financially. We do have many needs here and many expenses that need to be met every month, Please consider making a monthly commitment to supporting us while we're here in S.A. Of course prayer is our greatest need so either way please pray.

All contributions are tax deductible and should be sent to us through our sending church Calvary Chapel Tustin. Please write "Portland South Africa" in the memo.

Calvary Chapel Tustin
330 w. Sixth st.
Tustin, Ca 92780

We love you all and love hearing from you so please send us an e-mail when you have a chance.

ccpaarloutreach@yahoo.com

Blessings to you,
Mike, Misty and Michael