The end of another year is rapidly approaching, and this will be our final newsletter of 2005. Because of your prayer and financial support, it has been a year of tremendous progress in fulfilling Christ’s command to take the gospel into all the world. There are great expectations for these remaining weeks.

In Sierra Leone plans are being completed for the annual retreat, the largest event of the year, it will take place December 23-26. It is anticipated that 1000 thousand adults or more will be attending, plus children and youth. Lord willing, I plan to be there. Also making the trip will be my wife, our son, Ralph, and his wife, Becky. (Ralph and Becky were missionaries there in the 1980s.) All of us are scheduled to speak during the retreat.

The Sierra Leone work has been steadily expanding, and plans for even greater outreach are in place. This includes evangelists using the bicycles some of you helped to provide, to go into the remote areas and start congregations where there is no Christian witness. The work there includes day schools, pastoral training, agricultural projects as well as regional meetings, evangelistic crusades, and new churches. This is an amazing accomplishment in one of the poorest countries in the world. A recent report stated that annual income is only $500.00

Brother Jimmy Collins was the speaker at the annual Holiness Convention in the Philippines. Seven others, including his wife, traveled with him. The Petits report it was an outstanding convention, with the tent overflowing. Extended times of prayer around the altar resulted in changed lives. All 49 of our pastors were in attendance, and some brought 30 or more of their congregation with them. We so much appreciate those ministers who generously give of their time, and travel at their own expense to share their ministry in our overseas conventions. May they be richly blessed of God!

Our national leader in Ghana felt led of the Lord some few months ago to go and start a work in the country of Guinea.

Most of the population there are Muslims. Brother Paul reports he has about 70 in this new congregation. The work in Ghana is in charge of his assistant. They report a total of three congregations in Ghana.

Most of you have heard news reports of the deadly earthquake that was partly in India. I am happy to report that our mission is located a considerable distance away, so no report of damage is expected. The most recent reports are among the best in many years, with conversions, and a move of the Holy Spirit. India must be considered one of the nations that most need the good news of the gospel.

Faith Bible Institute, in the Philippines often experiences loss of electrical power, during storms, or for unknown reasons. The outages may last a few hours or several days. An important need was two generators to use on such occasions. A generous gift has made it possible to install one of these. It will provide lights for one side of the campus, and water for the entire campus. The Petits report it will make their lives much easier when the power fails. Two other very generous gifts have already furnished a motorcycle and sidecar for one pastor, and a second has been promised. Far more can be accomplished when a pastor has a means of transportation. One of the pastors has a 5 a.m. prayer service and reports that the young people come to pray before they walk to school!

Some have inquired about the expense of the trip to Africa. No missions’ funds are being used. A few folks have sent money toward our fare, and that is greatly appreciated. Please do not send us anything you would normally send to missions. It is true that the cost of fares, required inoculations, visas, etc is higher than every before, but God is faithful! We do covet your prayers for a safe trip that is spiritually helpful to the work.

With Christmas just weeks away, let me remind you that we can forward gifts of money overseas for missionaries etc. Please send any cards directly to their overseas address. It costs eighty cents for airmail. We do not encourage the sending of parcels because of the likelihood they may be stolen. We can deliver money gifts within 24 hours at no cost. Please send to the address on this letter and enclose a note clearly stating that it is a gift, so that it will not be mistaken for support. Missionaries are notified promptly about the gift and who has sent it.

Our deepest appreciation is extended to everyone that has prayed and those who have given in any amount to the support of our missions work this year. Without you this mission could not continue. May you have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful year in 2006, filled with blessings from our Heavenly Father.