"See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord." --Colossians 4:17

Paul's words, addressed to one Christian worker, are also applicable to today's church. God aims at closure, finishing the task of world evangelization. The job may sometimes seem too large for us to complete, but God intends that it be finished. When He declared to Abraham that "in you shall all the peoples of the earth be blessed," He indicated that the task would be completed-all the families of the earth would hear. Today, as never before, we have the knowledge of what completion of the task may involve.

Father, fill our minds and hearts with faith so that we may press on to finish the work You have given us.

The above came from the 30-June edition of the Global Prayer Digest and served to remind me of the task before me. Knowing that you are undergirding us in prayer makes this God-size task do-able, and I thank you : -)

Last week...

(1) You continued praying that God's apartment for us would be found... we've been able to work with colleagues on the 'inside' who will be seen as 'big brothers' who will vouch for us. We believe your prayers have been answered : -)

(2) You asked God to use this week's volunteers to be His instruments as they distributed food to needy families... I had opportunity to escort those dear folks to the border where they would eventually cross, and some of them helped us move electrical items out of the Gaza house to a more secure (?) location after our house had been broken into one evening. I didn't think *that* would be a way they'd be used as his instruments :*-)

(3) You prayed, too, that I would quickly recover from exhaustion related to long road trips. I thought all that US travel would prepare me, but things seem so different here... well, the first day this went into action I felt like my old self. Thanks for making such a difference in my life!

This week...

(1) Join us in asking God for the right paperwork to go through that will put us in our new home by month's end.

(2) Pray, too, that our household goods would get loaded up and sent safely across the border to our new home.

(3) Begin asking God to work in us and our future neighbors for what will be an eternal relationship.

Love and grace,

Scott

* CALENDAR UPDATES *

26, God’s direction on where to live

* We're making phone calls and renewing contacts of folks who can help, but we know from whence the True Help cometh : -)

27, nationals to reach lost people

* I was able to speak with a beloved friend who is giving indication that he's reaching folks. May his tribe increase as we pray together.

28, Pastor Hanna’s wife’s return

* Would you believe? I rec'd an email from Pastor Hanna regarding the situation:

Greetings to you this time from Amman-Jordan. I came here 10 days ago to do wedding for one of our young people from our church in Gaza whoes future wife from Beith-sahour in the west bank. They could not do their wedding in west bank and very difficult and expensive to do it in Gaza because travelling is very complicated in our region and in the same time I attended a short course for councelors for theological education by extension which will be helpful for some students in Gaza and in the same time visiting my wife in amman.

I know you are concern and praying for Suhad's situation and you are wondering what is happening. I feel we are united together concerning this problem and this makes it little easier for us because of your care. Few days ago our lawyer told us that Israeli at Eraz area refused to give Suhad permission to cross to Gaza without giving any explanation for their rejection, this becomes very painful for me and Suhad( it has been more than 8 months for Suhad to be away from her home!). At this time our lawyer planing to take our case to the Israeli high court in Jerusalem.

Please let us continue to pray that Suhad will return back to her home in Gaza soon.

Thank you again for being good frind who care and satnd with us in this very painful time in our life.

Soon I will give you update about our ministry and work in Gaza.

PS. I am already back in Gaza but I wasnot able to send this E-mail to you from Amman .

Peace in Christ

Hanna & Suhad

29, stamina to keep packing

* We rec'd word on this morning that our home in Gaza had been visited by thieves. Today we'll make the hour-long drive, 30-min crossing to inspect damages, make a list of what was taken, and repack strewn boxes. We're glad you're praying : -)

30, Jasmine, 37 mos.

* She did well making the long walk across the border after having lunch with a wonderful group of volunteers. Thank you for praying for her : -)

1, focus on main thing for this month

* Hmm, my usual preference for this is one-on-one Jn 3.3 type conversations; however, it seems that the main thing for us this month is getting our belongings out of Gaza and finding a place to live. Those things are, of course, temporary and our hearts' desire is to focus on Jesus *as* we go about these tasks.

2, open to God’s appointments

* This was the day I thought I'd run into someone new in Gaza. Well, we certainly kept His appointment with a friend of a friend who has been looking for "strong believers" to rent a downstairs apartment. God is so good : -)