NEWS LETTER
June-July 2005Dear Fellow-Servants of Christ:
What a busy summer! Jerry made trips to Bulgaria, Mexico, and Brazil to continue the work of MANNA. In addition, he traveled several thousand miles by car reporting to churches and presenting the ministry of MANNA. Except for a few missed connections, lost bags and having to wear one pair of pants 5 days
, there were no traveling problems.
We went with a small group in June to Sofia, Bulgaria to visit the feeding center led by missionaries Steve and Janelle Swan. We held an English camp to reach new children and their families. Bro. Steve has reported that since our visit 3 new families have begun attending church. Also while in Bulgaria we visited a Gypsy village. It was quite exciting to see the openness of these dear people, yet heartbreaking to see their poverty. We met missionary Jeff Stewart who has been ministering among Gypsies in Eastern Europe 15 years. There are 30-40,000 Gypsies in Sofia and there has never been a Baptist work among them. MANNA is working to partner with Bro. Stewart to plant a church and open a feeding center targeted at Gypsies. This is a real first!
In July we led a group from Capitol City Baptist Church to Brasilia, Brazil. The group held VBS in the afternoons to kick off the opening of the Feeding Center and church. The first day there were 80 children. When we arrived the next day, 100 kids were waiting outside the gate! By the last day, 180 children came to participate, surpassing the building's capacity. The children were told to bring their parents back that night for a meeting in the courtyard (no room inside). About 250 parents and children were there that night. I preached a simple salvation message from John 11:28, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Dozens of hands were raised indicating interest in salvation. Some openly wept. When asked to come forward to receive Christ, 20 responded, each personally dealt with by a soul winner. A woman said,"Anyone that loves my children, loves me and I’m coming to this church!"MANNA is making a difference, one life at a time!
Yours for the Harvest,
Jerry and Ruthmary
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