Well, the big event in our life this past week was Jasmine's first day of preschool. Wow, where does the time go?!

I've started receiving "Undeliverable Mail" as a result of the latest w*rm v*rus; apparently, someone who has me in their address book has been infected. Their e-mail client is sending messages to everyone in their address book, obviously to people I don't know, so the "Undeliverable Mail" messages I'm receiving are, how shall we say, annoying <g>. So goes e-mail, eh?

A big chunk of gifts received for the IPCJ went toward installing a security fence. The next phase will total $27,000 as we seek God to provide: $6,100 for 2,691 sq. ft. (250 sq. m.) of stones; $2,500 for seven (7) tiles of the world; $18,400 for concrete, steel girding, and labor to install the stones and tile. A volunteer team would, of course, save us a lot of money we don't have : -)

Each regional set of tiles will cost about $357, and I think I'm going to buy the Asia tiles in Jasmine's honor (shh, don't tell her). She loves China, and I want to encourage that love.

Some co-workers in Middle America are sharing an innovative way for 21st century churches to pray

+ You prayed for Paul and Marie to have a safe, uneventful flight back to the US and asked God to make sure their luggage arrived when they did... an e-mail gave a reassuring answer: "We arrived safely at LAX Thursday with all our luggages. PTL. Thanks again for your kindness to us when we were there and we felt pretty much like home." Thank you for praying!

+ You continued praying that we would receive the call from the Ministry of the Interior announcing the extension of our visas... well, it seems the "don't call us, we won't call you" syndrome is lingering (sigh).

+ Shirin and Jasmine were going back to the orphanage last Wednesday and you asked again that God would show them where He is at work there and how they could join Him... they learned about the needs and are praying for God's direction in how they can help. They plan to go back later this month for more information gathering.

+ You asked God to grant me travel safety to and from the airport... the drive both ways showed His handiwork, and I thank you for praying!

+ You prayed for the workers who would be checking the cistern for cracks and damage to come under Holy Ghost conviction in realizing their need for a Saviour... they came on Sunday while we were in worship, so we missed them; however, they did discover why the cistern wouldn't hold water: none was coming in! They may be back to help us "unstop" the blockage so precious winter rain will drain into the empty cistern.

+ You asked God to grant us a time of fellowship with the one helping us with the Garden where we could share extensively about His forgiveness... large chunks of time may not happen now that his children (and our daughter) are back in school, so I'll need to make use of the brief moments I have with him.

+ Jasmine began preschool Monday, 1-September and we asked that you pray with us as Jasmine experienced many new things as God gives her peace and a love for learning. You prayed for all of us as we began adjusting to a new routine this month... "mixed emotions" describes Jasmine's first day. The excitement of new Barbie shoes and a new backpack offset the cacophony of semi-frightened children leaving their parents for the first time. Shirin and I are waking up between 4-5 to take care of morning Quiet Times and routines, and I can see where an afternoon nap can fit in!

Jasmine could still use your intercession for peace in a new environment and holding her own in a complete Arabic language environment.

+ A co-worker who has been living in Gaza these past few days called last week asking for prayer to easily cross the border last Wednesday. You also continued praying for the believers there who have been sharing the truth in difficult circumstances... the crossing was easy and thanks is given for your intercession! Your ongoing intercession for your brothers and sisters is deeply appreciated.

<T H I S  W E E K><

<>< Continue asking God to give Jasmine a deep peace and excitement about going to preschool. She's expressing the feelings of "I had a great day, but I don't wanna go back tomorrow."

<>< "I want to believe" is more than the writing on Fox Mulder's poster as it describes my feelings about requesting prayer for our visa renewal. Sunday marked a full year since our airport visa expired. It would make life a bit easier if we had legitimate, renewed visas. We've submitted all the appropriate paperwork, above and beyond the normal requirements.

<>< A few years ago we received VHS tapes of "The Animated Stories from the New Testament" put out by the Family Entertainment Network. They're well used and on their last leg, so we'd like to get them on DVD; unfortunately, this site sells them for $569.05 plus s/h. We believe that someone in the Wednesday Weekly Wintercessor family has 'inside' connections to help us find this DVD series at a lower price. Please let us know if you do. Thanks : -)

<>< Pray that the work with the cistern repair will fall into God's hands from start to finish.

<>< Join me in giving thanks to God for having a week of relatively few computer challenges.

<>< Several friends are having birthdays or anniversaries this week, so pray that our e-mail system will stay functional in order for us to communicate our well wishes.

>< Pray for the Tu of China. >

CALENDAR UPDATES

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27, more workers

* Oddly enough, two volunteers left today creating a bigger gap.

28, Jasmine goes to pre-school

* Oops... not until Monday :*-)

29, Yasser Arafat’s salvation

* Not yet and, wow, would it help!

30, Jasmine is 51 months!

* Where does the time go?!

31, believers to be encouraged

* Tonight was a time of encouragement. Thank you for praying!

1, Pray that we be His faithful followers.

* Jasmine is learning the words Jesus uses to call his followers, and we want to be good examples.

2, May God use Jasmine to share with local children as she adjusts to being in school.

* Wow, are the opportunities there!