eNewsletter » April 2009

Dear Brethren,

Along with the news that it is ‘Income Tax Time’ (for those filing near the deadline), I thought that I would bring you some good news.  So … here goes

Next month (Lord willing) we have a young lady named Beth Brandt going out to Asia for a ‘study trip.’  It is required for her major in college. As a young girl, Beth has felt called to missions; this will be one of the first steps in her journey in that direction.  We are excited for her, as if she was not excited enough (she is)!  All of us in the office have known Beth and her entire family since Beth was a child, and we think that Beth is special (like all of our missionaries!).  She is flying alone however, and needs our prayers.  This is an active example of 3 John 4, where the Apostle says “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth.”  We get to see it.

Is there ever ‘bad news’ for the believer?  Difficulties and trials are certainly part of the life of every believer – they are. Nevertheless, Rom 8.28 and many other biblical texts assure us that there are no accidents, and that everything that the Lord brings into our lives is for our good.  As a mission board, GFF has had a great deal of blessing these past years, but we are not immune to problems.  Neither is this United States in which we are headquartered.  For some, tough times have already come; they may be coming for many of the rest of us.  Yet we praise the Lord for His Goodness – God is ALWAYS Good.

Recently, I visited a local church and I heard a missionary speaker tell of his home and church being burnt down during a political campaign in another continent.  The Lord brought blessing out of that.  We do not anticipate that kind of trial here, but it is a reality in some places.  The enemy is out there, and with the Coming of the Lord drawing nearer, Satan and his hordes seem more active than ever.  Events in Africa, Asia, and Europe are a concern to some, but they need not be.  The ALMIGHTY is Sovereign.

This time of the year, I (Bruce) am out of the office a great deal, as also other ‘GFFers’.    Pray for us, particularly for safety.  We are VERY thankful for all of your prayer, thoughtful support, and concern for all of us.  PRAISE the LORD for you!

Bruce P. Busch
General Director