Several times when I pick Jasmine up from school she'll have a sticker on her forehead for doing something well or being kind during school. Last Wednesday was no exception, so I asked her about it. "I took Beeba to school, and my teacher asked her to stay so she could practice to be baby Jesus," she explained. (Beeba is one of Jasmine's sixteen children, and sometimes Beeba is an imaginary friend along with Pawna and Poosa.) When her teacher came out, she made it a point to let me know that Jasmine would be playing Mary in the upcoming Christmas play.

But it was more important to talk about Beeba playing baby Jesus. At times like that, I feel like I'm getting through to her :-)

It wasn't long after that day that the "winter bug" knocked me flat on my back and through the weekend. I'll spare you the details, but suffice it to say that my head felt like a heavy sponge in a river. "Time" was the only thing that took care of it so, if any of you have it, you have an empathetic ear with me!

Brigada Today offered the following in a recent newsletter:

EVANGELISM FOR THE TONGUE-TIED -- Burdened for evangelism but not gifted? Chap Bettis writes for the 94% of us who have difficulty talking about our faith. Key points include: understanding biblical evangelistic prayer, what genuine relationships are and aren't, and two question that will open up spiritual conversations. Chap has field tested this book in secular, resistant New England. The author is offering a free pdf copy to ministry leaders who will prayerfully consider using it as a resource to equip those around them. Check out this resource, endorsements and first chapter at http://www.tonguetied.org

(And while there, check out the new worship song, I Will Trust Him, written for those in the midst of trials.) No web? Email chap(at)tonguetied(dot)org asking for the book or song pdf. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

IGNITE YOUR PASSION FOR SOUL WINNING -- A new website has been launched to get you trained in sharing the Good News with boldness and confidence. Whether you are new to witnessing, or a pro at reaching the lost, Jamie Morgan at http://www.evangelize.com helps you take your place in the end-time harvest of souls. An extensive How-To section is available, as well as an evangelism resource page and a product guide. She also has information on seminars she can conduct for your church or organization. As you apply what you learn, you will decrease the size of hell and increase the population of Heaven -- leading someone to Jesus Christ is the most exciting thing you will ever do! Jamie also has a monthly Soul Winner's Devotional (via email) in either English or Spanish, designed with one purpose in mind: to encourage soul winners. You can reach her at evangelize(at)evangelize(dot)com to subscribe.

Please feel free to recommend the 'Wednesday Weekly' to other like-minded intercessors in your circle of friends. Invite them either to send me an email at scoterry31684-subscribe@topica.com or to subscribe at our Wednesday Weekly website.

Matthew 24:14

* Be sure to sign up for the Wednesday Weekly.

+ Plans continued to get the International Prayer Center of Jerusalem (IPCJ) on a "phase-by-phase" plan that would enable future donors to see progress, so last week we met with an architect who had blended some of our ideas and visions with his expertise. You joined us in praying that we would continue to hear and follow God's voice... this request is an ongoing need, and today I believe we could tell He was moving us forward. Agreement and continuity go a long way, so thanks for praying and continuing to pray. The design is really taking shape!

+ In addition to the prayers Shirin had requested for last week's Christmas activities, I asked that you pray for Jasmine as she continued preparing for her "Away In A Manger" solo. You asked God to grant her His peace as she practiced... I can hear His peace in her voice as she practices before falling asleep. Also, last Friday Shirin, Jasmine and some co-workers put on a Christmas party at the Lazarus Home for Girls. Thanks to your prayers the party went over without too many faux pas. The girls and staff once again heard how Jesus come to earth with a message of love and forgiveness. A highlight for Shirin was when the girls wanted to sing "This is the Day " as well as some other Jesus-centered songs. God is planting His Word in their hearts.

+ Many of you have been praying over the IPCJ library computers, and some of you are even contributing parts! I'd been "fine tuning" a couple of them last past week and, wow, was there more to be done! The best part is that they will become, uh, fool-proof (?). You prayed with me that I would have clarity of thought and concentration as I focused on this task... I think this is a microcosm of the IPCJ: too much for one person. While I received clarity of thought and concentration, I didn't get as far as I'd hoped (oh, for the day when a computer doesn't have to reboot!)

<T H I S  W E E K><

<>< Another "language misunderstanding" is yielding unnecessary tension with the Prayer Garden, so I could use some pointed intercession to see the issues faced and resolved.

<>< The architect, however, has a design that's starting to look better and better! Pray that his design and "3D walk-through" will be finished before the end of this month.

<>< Jasmine's Christmas play is in a few hours (1pm local time), so pray with us that He will shine through her.

>< Pray for Gagauzi Turks.>

CALENDAR UPDATES

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15-16, Pray for work to progress in the Prayer Garden. www.prayer-center.org

* The meeting with "Gary" the architect gave me a feeling of seeing more progress coming in the days ahead! While we agreed the total estimate for the Garden alone would easily be a six-figure amount, I knew in my heart that it would be a chance for God's people to join Him at work around the world!

17-18, Pray for Ali’s salvation.

* How I look forward to the day this happens!

19-21, Pray that we would keep growing in the Lord.

* Jasmine is another fan of Keith Green, and his music continues to stir me to personal growth.