Our partners are called DOORKEEPERS, an expression that comes from 1 Chronicles 9:22 in the Living Bible, Ken Taylor's paraphrase. It speaks of 212 DOORKEEPERS, whose genealogy was right and appointed to do work for the Lord. We generally have active Doorkeepers in around forty states. A DOORKEEPER provides the prayer and financial support we need. For the Venezuela ministry March 15-30, we will provide 4,000 Spanish workbooks in addition to the travel needs. As of today, we need $153 to meet the established budget. In addition, our DOORKEEPERS made regular contributions for the day-to-day needs. Since we are a faith ministry, we never charge for our work. We have provided a prayer seminar workbook for each participant regardless of whether a contribution is made for the workbook (suggested contribution is $5) or not. We have seldom asked for support beyond prayer seminars. In January, we asked for HELP FOR MARTIN to get his ministry reestablished in Kenya after he lost everything during the post-election violence. The DOORKEEPERS and other friends gave almost $14,000 and achieved the goal we had set. Martin is back in place and his ministry has been reestablished. What a privilege to be the missionary/minister for so many godly men and women around the nation.

It is important to eat properly to ensure good, vitality on a daily basis. Not only is this true of physical food, it is true of spiritual food. Jesus Himself said that "man should not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." I am firmly convinced that a major secret of good, spiritual vitality is the daily time in the Word of God. By reading three chapters a day and five on Sunday, a person can go through the entire Bible, reading devotionally, in a year. I encourage any person who is concerned about his spiritual health to give much attention to the Word of God even to the point of meditating on it.

We have sent funds to Venezuela to pay for the printing of 4,000 Spanish workbooks. On Friday, we shared the financial need with our Doorkeepers and other partners in the international ministry. By faith, we commit ourselves to provide the prayer seminars in other nations. We provide everyone who attends a workbook in their language and pay for traveling/lodging/food. There are times when we must provide food for those attending, but it will not be necessary in Venezuela since folks will be coming from their homes and will not need to stay overnight. I firmly believe where God guides, He provides. We continue to wait upon Him in prayer. He is the one who touches hearts to stand with us.

There is a controversy brewing in Latin America than concerns our plans for March 15-30. President Chavez of Venezuela has ordered troops to their border with Colombia. Colombians are reported to have killed a Colombian drug lord in Ecuador violating the sovereignty of Ecuador. Ecuador has sent troops to their board with Colombia. Knowing the stands that Chavez has made on many issues, please pray that this will not be a factor in the seminars in Caracas and Meriba. At the same time, Kenya seems to have worked through its conflict. There continues to be good news from our coordinators for which I am thankful.

Yesterday morning, we received word that one of our dearest friends, Carter Mylam Baynes, was in Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte. She is ninety-two and has been one of our best friends over forty years. Sue and I drove the 200 miles to Charlotte from Lynchburg VA on Saturday afternoon and has some quality time with Carter on Saturday night. We were able to talk with one of the specialists working with her. We read Psalm 91 together and prayed. By the time we returned to her room this morning, she was greatly improved. We were surprised when we arrived back home to talk with her and find out she would be released tonight. Truly, God is good. Since she lives in Carmel Place, a care facility that prepares her food and provides other services for people who are independent, we are concerned for Carter during her readjustment period. For example, she has to go to the dining hall on her own. We are praying for strength and will be grateful for your prayers for her as well.

The one person that God used to clarify my understanding of the purpose and power of prayer was Dr. Armin Gesswein. For almost seventy years, he was an active minister. In fact, he was one of the ones that invited Billy Graham to Los Angeles for a crusade that launched his career. He listened to the Lord, wrote it down, and then passed it on. He died on March 10, 2001 at the age of ninety-three after a brief illness. Since I used his articles from time to time in the Reflector, I was reviewing them yesterday. His monthly newsletters were full of helpful insights on prayer. He kept us updated on his traveling ministry--which was extensive. His last monthly letter was March 2001. He shared details about his upcoming ministry in Drammen & Skien Norway. He was scheduled to leave just two days before his death. When Armin prepared copy for the newsletter, he had no idea what God's schedule was for him. He was robust and had been in very good health. He had a number of things that he was doing or planned to do. But in God's timing, He had completed his work and was ready for Heaven. I am in my 54th year of ministry. I do not know if God will allow me 69 years, as He did Armin. I do know that one day I will write my last article. Hopefully, it will be one that shares details about conducting a prayer seminar someone in the world. Reading about Armin reminds me that we must do our best each day with the opportunities the Lord gives.

After two months of turmoil (over 1,000 dead and 350,000 dislocated), the leaders of the different parties have agreed to share power. Many believe the present president stole the election. The voters voted in a majority of the opposing party for the legislature. Tribal rivalry reared its head which has made things so difficult. Our Doorkeepers and friends provided funds to help Martin Shikuku and Andrew Sakaria (the leaders of our prayer seminar ministry) to get reestablished. God has answered our prayers, now, for a semlance of peace to resume, thus opening up the way for their continued ministry. God is good.

Most of us remember that Paul taught that we should pray without ceasing. It is obvious that he meant that we should walk in a spirit of prayer and be ready to turn to God at any moment. Intercessors are those who stand between God and others. Sometimes there needs to be intense praying; at other times, however, we can send out what I call "arrow prayers." For example, that is what Nehemiah did when he asked God's help at the spur of a moment. We, too, have numerous needs that elicit prayer. Simply watching newscasts is an excellent call to prayer. Today, I was touched in my heart to see the tornado damage in Carrol County, Georgia, completely unexpected. My heart cry to God was that He would use this for His glory and that many would turn to Him. It is not only a reminder to pray, but a reminder that we never know what a day will bring forth--just like the Bible says.

When Sue and I were contemplating giving ourselves to the prayer seminar ministry wherever and whenever the Lord opened to the doors, we were quite aware that we could never accomplish anything on our on. Early one morning, the Lord awakened me and I began to read slowly and prayerfully the chapters designated for that particular morning. I was using Kenneth Taylor's paraphrase called The Living Bible. As I read 1 Chronicles 9:22, the Holy Spirit impressed upon me that here was the answer. "There were 212 Doorkeepers, whose genealogy was right, whom the Lord gave responsibility." There it was--organize a Doorkeeper program and let the Lord impress upon people to become Doorkeepers. We have operated strictly as a faith ministry--never charging for seminars or books or the prayer seminar workbook, but depending on contributions. The Doorkeepers have been responsible for 40% of our income for most years.  Now it is even more. Every day I thank God for the Doorkeepers whose gifts make the prayer seminar ministry possible

During the past few months, most weekends I have been on the road. This weekend, I am home and have enjoyed every minute of it. Yesterday (Saturday), our daugther and granddaughters (Melody, Emilee and Kimberlee) took Sue and me to Red Lobsters for a belated birthday celebration for Sue (her 70th birthday took place while she was in Thailand). Both Sue and I were impressed with the granddaughters, their interest in life, and their maturity. Melody has done a great job with them. When we got home, our grandson, Beau, came over and help me replace the big U. S. Flag that flies on the hill in a prominent place. The old flag had been torn into shreds by high winds (70 mph) when I was in Florida and Sue in Thailand. A strong breeze made the new one beautiful as it fluttered in the wind. I clean out bird feeders and filled them up with wild bird seed. I watched our Kentucky Wildcats win a basketball game over Arkansas and Tennessee beat Memphis last night.
Today was one of those days in our church where the Sunday school class and the worship service were both anointed. The morning worship service was heartwarming. Our orchestra becan the service with "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" The hymns focused on the Cross of Christ. Pastor Tyler Scarlett's message preparing us for the Lord's Supper was sane, Scriptural and spiritual to the highest degree. Before we observed the Lord's Supper, two young children from a family of leaders in our church came to Christ. Then we celebrated the Lord's Supper.
I have pretty well caught up on desk work and am looking forward to a new work week. God is good.