For those of you who have been receiving our snail-mail newsletter I hope by now you've received the May-August edition. The folks who send our newsletter do a great job, and we're grateful for their diligence :-) Thank you, J and DA!

Seventeen volunteering tourists showed up at the airport Sunday night and have been enjoying the guest facilities at the Bethlehem Bible College. The college's choir will be on tour in the US between October 20-November 13 and have open slots to lead you in worship. They'll be in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Washington DC, and New York. Those of you in those states, wanting to host the choir, please e-mail info (at) bethlehembiblecollege (dot) edu

[So as to avoid sp*m for them, please replace the (at) with an @ and the (dot) with a, well, . ]

Also, the college is providing a special 2006 International Student Program from June 3-23 with an optional week at the end for touring Biblical sites. They say the course objective is to introduce international students to the Palestinian Church and to the challenges she faces. More information and directions for registration can be found online. I'm sure the April 30 deadline can be, uh, extended :*-)

Anyway, the "touring volunteers" have had numerous schedule changes (or so it seems). Your intercession has been appreciated :-)

A church that meets in the auditorium of where I enjoyed my freshman and sophomore years of high school is beginning a series on the Da Vinci stuff, and you can access the sermon series online. In the meantime, be sure to read through these articles to help answer questions of people more inclined to believe Hollywood than the Bible:

* The Da Vinci Code: What you need to know.

* Most Americans believe Bible over 'Da Vinci,' poll shows.

* 'Da Vinci' full of errors & inaccuracies, Union profs say.

* Preparing for The Da Vinci Code.

* 1 in 5 Americans has read 'Da Vinci,' poll says.

* Was Jesus married?

* Author says ‘Da Vinci’ doesn’t stand up to history.

* McDowell novel sends students on ‘quest’ for Da Vinci answers.

+ Scott had reached that fine line between keeping one foot here helping with touring volunteers and the other foot with Stateside Assignment (STAS) speaking preparations and, wow, did he need your intercession on discerning between the urgent and the important...more and more does he realize the importance and vitality of having people pray for him; in fact, he's asking the Lord to provide us with an additional 250 prayer partners by e-mail during our upcoming eight-week STAS.

+ Shirin had similar 'splits' between a new speaking opportunity and focusing on Jasmine's final homeschool lessons, helping her with the local school, and various ongoing ministry opportunities, so you asked God to give her His discernment...again, your intercession proved pivotal in Shirin's life, and she expresses her thanks for you prayers!

+ Jasmine was (and is) all excited about the final weeks of school, knowing an airplane trip is coming up in about four-five weeks. You prayed that her excitement would be contagious and that she would get a good feel for the "final days" before leaving...she's doing remarkably well handling local schoolwork and trying to stay on task to finish her 170th A Beka lesson by her birthday, a goal she set for herself!

<T H I S  W E E K><

<>< Scott is asking for an extra measure of grace as he juggles volunteers' changing schedules with things "already in stone," especially that conflicts would be minimal.

<>< Shirin asks that the volunteers would supplement her witness to the girls at the Girls Home in Bethany, especially that there would be discipling opportunities from their witnessing in word and deed.

<>< Jasmine asks that you'd pray for her classmates to come to school so she can tell them more about Jesus.

<* Pray for the Manchu of China.><

CALENDAR UPDATES

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10-13, Pray for local church leaders to be deeply rooted in the Word.

* I can see this to be an ongoing need and appreciate your intercession.

14-16, Ask God to keep a volunteer group safe as they share His good news.

* The first three days have gone well! Thank you for praying.