In a little over one month, I will be returning to Venezuela. The seminars last year were well received. The initial planning called for 2,000 Spanish prayer seminar workbooks. Then it appeared that we might need 3,000. Today, Adam Nathanson, our Spanish coordinator said the number might reach 4,000. We had planned to have the workbooks printed in Lima and shipped to Caracus. A question has been raised about whether we could get them through customs since one missionary reported that items being sent in from his ministry have been held up in customs for months and months. Adam has found a local printer who has given a reasonable estimate. By using him, we will avoid the shipping costs and the customs challenge. Having gone into fifty nations, it has been amazing how the Lord has opened doors for us. The key to success is having a competent coordinator who will plan the schedule, secure the sites, enlist pastors/churches to participate, and get out plenty of announcements that all Christians are invited. One week will be in Caracas and another in Miriba, a resort city, that has many large churches. I am excited. We need prayer support above all else.

During the busy weekend in Bonita Springs (prayer seminar, evangelism clinic and preaching at Vision Baptist Church), I had the privilege to speak to the Baptist men at a breakfast at First Baptist Church on Sunday. One fellow shared that he was present for a prayer seminar at First Baptist December 6, 1987. He said that one of the books that he used often was his Prayer Seminar Workbook and indicated that this had reminded him how important prayer is in his life and the work of the Lord. That was the seventy-nine page workbook that we used for many, many years in each seminar in the U. S. In 2003, I decided to use the thirty-page workbook that we had used in the international seminars (easy to translate into other languages and covers what I teach in a seminar). I could see in the brother's face that the points that I made were familiar to him. Over tweny years have passed since he sat under the prayer seminar teaching. It is encouraging to hear how that event had influenced his life. He is a staff member, now, at First Baptist Church.

During the busy weekend in Bonita Springs (prayer seminar, evangelism clinic and preaching at Vision Baptist Church), I had the privilege to speak to the Baptist men at a breakfast at First Baptist Church on Sunday. One fellow shared that he was present for a prayer seminar at First Baptist December 6, 1987. He said that one of the books that he used often was his Prayer Seminar Workbook and indicated that this had reminded him how important prayer is in his life and the work of the Lord. That was the seventy-nine page workbook that we used for many, many years in each seminar in the U. S. In 2003, I decided to use the thirty-page workbook that we had used in the international seminars (easy to translate into other languages and covers what I teach in a seminar). I could see in the brother's face that the points that I made were familiar to him. Over tweny years have passed since he sat under the prayer seminar teaching. It is encouraging to hear how that event had influenced his life. He is a staff member, now, at First Baptist Church.

Sue left for Thailand on Tuesday, February 5. It is a long, long flight from Dulles, Washington D.C. to Seoul to Bangkok. She is in Pattaya, a resort city frequented by Chinese tourists. She is involved in what is known as the Southern Cross Project, which is basically distributing carefully prepared packets to the tourists. The packet includes a Chinese Bible, a Jesus film, and other helpful materials. Thousands upon thousands have been distributed. The team has learned appropriate Chinese words including a phrase that says "I have a gift for you." Tim & Merry Gregory (our former Missions Pastor in our local church) are now living in Pattaya with an appointment from the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. Sue has been a special friend to this couple. One significant point is that she will reach her 70th birthday on February 9 while on this mission. I will have to give her special care after she returns. After all, 70 sounds pretty old. But I am older! I leave at 6 in the morning for a flight to Ft. Myers, Florida, where I will be working with Vision Baptist Church in Bonita Springs for a prayer seminar (Friday night and Saturday) and then an evangelism clinic and preaching on Sunday morning.
Yes! Sue and I are on the road again!

Kenya has been looked upon as a model for other nations in Africa with governmental stability, some degree of economic progress, a meca for tourists, and a nation that has many Christians. Further, it has been open to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then came the December elections. Post-election violence erupted since the election was disputed. For weeks, the violence was tied to the election. Sadly, it is no longer a political issue but tribal hatred. Evangelist Fred Indangasi, Mombasa, reported yesterday that he had been counseling six women who chased away from their homes by their husbands just because they are not from their tribe. Over 800 have been killed. Villages have been burned. Martin Shikuku, our main coordinator, reports that in his area five Baptist churches were destroyed by fire. Thousands have been displaced. JGHM shared the urgent need for financial help for Martin and his family with our Doorkeepers. The response indicated that daily prayers are going up. Further, financial resources have been provided to enable us to help reestablish the work. What is the future? It will be determined by prayer. God is able, willing, and waiting for us to call on Him. Don't forget to pray for Kenya.

It is 5:30 a.m. Paris time, 11:30 p.m. Lynchburg time. After a wonderful, fruitful six days in France, we are packed and ready to head for the Charles de Gaulle airport to begin our flight home. Once again, I can say without equivocation, it could not have gone better. Both Sue and I (along with our fellow travelers Don & Joyce Warpoole, Doorkeepers from Murfreesboro, Tennessee), have a greater appreciation for Paris. The very beautiful, vibrant center on the Seine River throbs with millions of people. It is reported that the percentage of evangelical Christians is very low, but these are salt and light because of who they are. At the Emmanuel International Church, there were folks from many nations ready to receive the Word of God. Pray for the people of Paris. Would it not be wonderful that the spiritual awakening we are praying for in our world would begin here?
Thanks for praying for the folks in Kenya. Martin and Andrew, our coordinators in western Kenya, are doing everything to encourage God's people. Martin has visited many villages/towns where the Baptist churches have been burned (5 total) and houses destroyed. We are seeing God at work in the midst of the chaos. God is still on His throne.

Sue and I are spending the week in Paris, France working with Emmanuel International Church. It was my intention to write for My Blog daily. Unfortunately, I had not written the web address for the Administrator section, something I had not thought about because I just open it from the my lap computer without accessing the administrator section. I am still learning how to maximize our web site. The Evangelism Clinic was well received -- unhurried with the Holy Spirit's anointing. It was obvious that the ideas presented can be used in the French culture. Since there are so few evangelical Christians, the need is great. The word from Kenya is that things are settling down. I have had reports from both Martin Shikuku and Andrew Saharai how the funds transmitted are being spent. While I really wanted to help the pastors and their families, they are buying rice, meal, cooking oil, salt and other staples and sharing them with their people. I am grateful for our partners who have shared their resources. What we are doing is making a difference.

First Baptist Church, Madisonville KY, helped us launch a new year, 2008, in a great way. What loving people belong to this great church. Their pastor, Dr. Joe Leonard, has a goal to evangelize Hopkins County. It is said that there are 25,000 unsaved men, women, boys and girls in this one county. Dr. Leonard and his staff clearly understand that the work that must come before all other work is prayer work--and are willing to do something about preparing their people to be prayer warriors. It was a great joy for Sue and me to be guests of Bob & Jewell Bouchard, Doorkeepers since our ministry was launched. There has been a oneness of mind with this couple for thirty years. Since Sue and I drove through the snow and ice storm all day yesterday and have been busy getting our affairs in order to leave for Paris France Sunday, we are a little tired. It is good at this point to remember Nehemiah 8:10--"the joy of the Lord is my strength." We need your prayers.

Last night was a blessed session of the four-day prayer seminar at First Baptist Church, Madisonville KY. Attendance was excellent for a Monday night with around 130 present. I dealt with the sections of the prayer seminar workbook that had to do with salvation (how to know you are saved) and the problem of carnality. My conclusion was to remind God's children that they do not have to be defeated, but can walk in the Spirit in victory. A number responded to a public invitation coming forward to indicate that they had made decisions about their spiritual lives. Without fail, when God's Word is faithfuly taught, the Holy Spirit brings that Word alive. The Holy Spirit brings conviction (consciousness of sin) by holding up the Word as mirror in which we can see ourselves. Until conviction comes, there is never a life-change.

Yesterday was a busy day at First Baptist Church, Madisonville, Kentucky. During two morning worship services, I taught the same material and termed this time the "Getting Started Phase." Due to limited time, I introduced the prayer seminar and began to help the participants become familiar with the prayer seminar workbook, our basic teaching tool. I have found that I need not be anxious when the time to teach is brief since the Holy Spirit can take what work is shared and begin to prick hearts. I felt that He did that very thing yesterday morning. In the afternoon, one of the men worked with me to begin the taping of a new DVD edition of the seminar, which will feature twelve thirty minute segments (format to make using the DVD individually or in a small group easy). We tape three sessions and have nine to go. I think everyone was surprised at the large number who returned for the evening teaching session. The Holy Spirit was at work in a discernible way. Today I will continue taping. The evening session begins at 6 p.m. This is a four-day event. First Baptist, the largest Baptist church in Hopkins County, was founded in 1870. I was in the church in the late 50's attending a convention. Their building is beautiful and spacious. The best thing, however, is the burden Dr. Joe Leonard, the pastor, has for spiritual awakening. He wants to reach the 25,000 unchurched men, women, boys, and girls with the Gospel. He believes prayer is the work that must come before all other work. I'm excited about the prospects and what God is going to do during these days in Madisonville.