Fall has come upon us, and the regular season of baseball is winding down (sigh).

I still remember that April day in 1974 when a bunch of us trailer park kids went out to the sandlot next to Marumsco Creek in Woodbridge to chase Hank Aaron's newly set record of 715 home runs. We all took turns smacking the ball as far as we could and then said, "Aw, it'll never happen again." More than thirty years later the record still stands, but now there's "hope" on the horizon that by next year San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds will not only pass Babe Ruth's 714 home runs but will also catch and surpass Aaron's 755.

Apparently the secret is longevity; I mean, you don't hit 700 homers overnight. As I continue to struggle with the "fields are white unto harvest" and the relatively low number of Palestinian Muslims in that harvest, I'm encouraged to know that hitters like Ruth, Aaron, and Bonds also have astronomical numbers of strikeouts. I pray that you, too, will "stay in the game" sharing the Good News with those still needing to hear.

Way to go Louisiana!

For those of you encountering Jehovah's Witnesses at your door, I thought you might benefit from this website.

Finally, "Baptist Press launches Web-based election resource guide."  The actual site can be found at www.bpnews.net/vote

Matthew 24:14

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+ Shirin asked, "Please pray for our fun day on Friday at the girls home. Join us in praying that the girls and staff will be open to the message as they hear about Jesus' life on earth. Pray that the road to Bethany will be open during the (upcoming) Jewish holidays." She then said, "Thank you for your prayers as they went before us to make our 'fun day' great. We continue to plant seeds in the girls hearts and know one day they will follow the truth."

+ I was to have met with the gentleman who designed the tiles for the Prayer Garden later this week, so you prayed that the final design and manufacturing of the tiles going on the Prayer Garden walls would go smoothly. You prayed, too, that this venture would demonstrate our commitment in sharing the Good News... your continued intercession is needed as things are not as "final" as I had hoped. I was, however, able to show him the area where the tiles will be placed and emphasized the main reason behind them; prayerfully, his heart will be receptive to those words.

+ A faithful volunteer with friends was due to arrive last week, so you prayed that their arrival would be safe and uneventful... as far as I know, things went smoothly. Thanks for praying!

<T H I S  W E E K><

<>< Please pray with Shirin about her involvement in the bi-monthly Bible study in the Old City. She has been asked to be more involved in helping facilitate the meetings and go on visitation with the other leaders.

<>< Join us in asking God for news of progress on the Prayer Garden.

<>< Cover Shirin and Jasmine as they begin the Jasmine Elementary Home School program this week.

>< Pray for the people of the Lubuskie, Dolnoslaskie and Opolskie Provinces of Southwest Poland. >

CALENDAR UPDATES

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15-16, Pray for the ladies Bible study in the Old City to grow in number and in the Spirit.

* Shirin says that the meetings continued during the summer and is excited to see evidence of their growth later this week.

17-18, Ask God for a prayerwalking team during the Days of Awe.

* You prayed, and people came! Thank you!

19, Ask God to give us a day of worship.

* The three of us were together and rejoiced over Jasmine's construction paper design of the water jar from John 2.

20-21, Pray that Jasmine will understand her friends and teachers as they speak Arabic to her.

* Your intercession is going a long way, and we deeply appreciate it!