Mattix
Greetings,
Another busy month although I can't exactly pinpoint what all transpired . Overall things are well except for the occasional crisis. Although stressful at times thankfully none of these difficult situations has been overwhelming. In one case one of our more trusted youth had to leave home after extended pressure and often threats from his parents. In another situation a newer believer got involved in a romantic relationship with her boss who is married. That's just life in this crooked world and believers are often no exception.
CHURCH LIFE - Yesterday's church service was a little different. One of the national TV channels asked to film our service and present it as a documentary. Here recently the media has come out with a series of slanderous news stories regarding the Turkish Church at large. In the past the media has often attacked us too. In this situation we found ourselves between a rock and a hard place in that if we don't allow the media to film thus they'll collect their own footage and present us according to their own prejudices anyways. However if we allow them to film us and fill the program with our own explanations hopefully some of the truth will be heard - at least that's what we're praying for. So yesterday there was a camera in the service filming everything. Rather annoying and distracting to say the least but we're hoping and praying that it will be cast in at least a neutral light and be instrumental for people to at least see that we aren't about anything immoral or illegal. Besides that the church continues growing little by little. There are a couple of new families joining here recently. Last night we also had a couple of new youth in the meeting as well. We also continue to seek a way to start regular meetings in the city south of us with the small group of existing believers there. The possible obstacle is that there is a strong Assyrian Orthodox presence there that might feel threatened by our efforts. This past month we also took a quick trip north to Erzurum to meet with about a dozen interested people there. A couple of those we met were seriously interested and we hope to keep in contact. We keep praying that the Lord will raise up the right person or family to move there and follow up with these contacts more closely. Looking ahead we have some busy weeks coming up. This coming weekend several of us will be going to Istanbul to join in celebrating Tim and Aynur's wedding. Tim has been faithfully serving in our fellowship for the last year and is now marrying a wonderful Turkish lady, so we're excited to get them back here as they will be a great asset to the ministry. We're also starting preparations for the Christmas program and after that we have a the regional youth conference too. Appreciate your prayers in all these endeavors.
FAMILY LIFE - On the home front all is well. Sarah is getting rounder with our third child due in a couple months. The girls are eagerly awaiting the day and learning to get along better in the process. Sarah keeps incredibly busy inviting people to our home and discipling the young ladies. I mostly have to work at keeping up with preparing lessons for the Discipleship course and mentoring several of the young men. This coming week we're hoping to start visiting some of our neighbors. Also this past month we met with a couple who are childhood friends of one of the church elders. Their marriage is in shambles and he asked that we try to help them. Our first meeting went past midnight but they were somewhat receptive. Appreciate your prayers.
PRAYER REQUESTS: 1. For fruit from outreach to surrounding cities. 2. For a positive outcome from the TV documentary. 3. For continued growth and maturity among the believers.
Many thanks once more for your faithful support. Much love, Jerry, Sarah, Ishael , Tirzah and Gabriel