Dec. 28, 2006

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Greetings once more from Iquitos. I trust that you are being blessed during this Christmas season. Once again we are privileged to proclaim Christ’s birth and the reason He came to earth. Praise God for our wonderful Savior! May we follow our Lord closely in the new year 2007.

We make our plans, but God is the One Who brings them to pass. After planning and requesting prayer for our Jan. 4-14 mission trip, we began to see God write in His changes. Pastor Abraham hurt his left index finger about a month ago, possibly tearing some ligaments. Because of the pain and limitations on his signing, he finally decided that neither he nor Patsy would be going on the trip. When our speaker, brother Lee Johnson, learned of this, he said it would be best to put off the trip until we are better prepared with a more complete team. I had already paid for the launch rental and fuel, but pastor Carlos Gallardo said he thought a later date would be better as well. The owner of the launch would undoubtedly be willing to postpone the trip. One by one folks have said that the later date suits them well. The only ones who are not happy with the postponement are some of the deaf who were going on the trip from our church. Kids will be in school in Aug., some will be working, etc. Pray for the deaf along the river who were looking forward to this trip. Perhaps having more time will enable us to look for more deaf in that mission field.

One answer to prayer are the weddings of the deaf couples this month. Two couples were married Dec. 7. Another couple had their civil ceremony on the 27th and their church wedding is tonight, the 28th. Please ask the Lord to bless these couples – Diomedes and Teresa, Reinerio and Carmen, and Claudio and Maribel.

2007 will be here soon. What does God have in store for the coming year? Please pray as we plan that we will know the mind of our Lord. Right now we are beginning our summer vacation. The school account is almost empty, with support coming in only sufficient to pay utilities and maybe one teacher. With kindergarten and 5 grades to teach, we would like to have at least 4 teachers. Please pray with us for the supply of the funds needed. If you would like to help with this need, please send it to ABWE for the “Iquitos Deaf Work” (account # 0744413). Thanks!

Please pray, too, for Efata Baptist Church and for my part in the ministry there. We are going through some difficult times in the church and need the wisdom of the Lord in knowing how to proceed. Pray I will know how to best teach the Source of Light Bible lessons to the deaf who want to study.

May God bless each one of you as you plan for 2007 as well. I thank the Lord for you and for the encouragement you are in my life. Keep looking up!

Your sister in Christ,
Lynn Porter