Merry Christmas 2012

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"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel". Is. 7:14

Thanksgiving then Christmas. Like day follows night, you can’t have one without the other. For me, it is a natural progression for we who believe. First, thanking God for the blessings in our lives, followed by thanking God for sending Jesus, who is, Himself, the source of all the wonderful blessings we enjoy. Ever being thankful.

But it doesn’t stop there. Thankfulness turns into joyful celebration, and we decorate this most wonderful season with overflowing happiness at the thought of giving to others, as we remember how generously God gave to us.

May your Christmas season be filled with more wonder, joy and love than ever before.

 
Activities Report
Bhalchandra Kamble with Mary Ann during his visit
to the US in October/November 2012.
We were so blessed last month to be able to host Pastor Bhalchandra Kamble from Pune, India, who is one of our main leaders in the work there. When we first met Bhalchandra in 1987, he was a twenty-two year old young man who had been a true believer for little over one year, and with a call of God upon his life for full time ministry. He answered the call, and we, along with others, poured into his life, and the rest is history. He pastors a church that he founded, with a membership of 350. In India, that is a large church. He also is the founder of a prayer ministry, Pray, Prayer Works, that has taken his ministry far beyond the boundaries of his local environment. Pray, Prayer Works brings pastors together from all church denominations to pray for their churches, their government, the lost, unity in the church and the increase of God’s kingdom – and it’s working. Our visit was very productive, as well as enjoyable, and a boost to the work in India. His wife, Leena, is also a minister and a very active partner with Bhalchandra in the work. Together, they make a powerful team. Mark was also able to visit Bhalchandra by Skype, and formulate plans for our India 2013 Conference.

Jennifer, Pastor Fred Kasule and Mary Ann with our
Introduction to the Bible Student Manual,
 Pinegrove, LA, November 2012
On November 16th, we were blessed to visit with Pastor Fred Kasule, of Kampala, Uganda, in Pinegrove, LA. In addition to his ministry as pastor of a local church, he also engages in evangelism outreaches, plants churches, overseas several other churches, and conducts a ministerial leadership training program. His wife, Robinah, is very active with him in the ministry. She ministers to the other pastors wives on a monthly basis, and assists him in the overall administration of the work. Together, they too, make a powerful team. During the few hours we spent together we discussed how LTI could augment the leadership training program, and that time was most productive. More details will be reported as events progress. We sent him home with a copy of our Introduction to the Bible Student Manual.

After saying our goodbyes, Jennifer and I traveled on to Baton Rouge where we were blessed to spend the next two days visiting with Ted and Debbie Wells in the new season of their lives, Pastors David and Bonnie Delino, the new pastors of Grace Family Church, and Pastors Dennis and Cora Blackwell, pastors of Lighthouse Christian Fellowship in Grand Isle, LA. It was wonderful to have these opportunities for fellowship and sharing the blessings of God in our lives and ministries.

Last, but not least, we enjoyed Thanksgiving Day with as many family members as could gather at my house. I thank God for my wonderful children and grandchildren.

God is good, we are glad, and we sing the little chorus:
Thank you God for sending Jesus.
Thank you Jesus that you came.
Holy spirit won’t you tell us
More about His holy name.
To you our dear partners,
We are so thankful to God for you and your partnership with us in the gospel ministry. You are family to us, and we love you. May your holiday season be a very special time for you and your family.

Because there are over 4.4 billion people in the world who still need Jesus, I remain

Yours in missions,

 
Mary Ann Cassidy

 


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