eNewsletter » September 2008

My Dear Brethren,

Time marches on. That is a profound statement, isn?t it? With September, the children are back in school (or college); for many of us, the schedule fills up quickly. As a grandparent of a school-age child now, I find that my daughter cannot travel so easily. So we cherish the time that we have, but indeed time marches on.

Some things are getting closer. Lord willing, Jared and Rebekah Stevenson will soon be on their way to France. Their goal is the end of 2008, which is fast approaching. Others have some distance to travel: Dave and Jane Claar (returning to South Africa); Nathan and Karen Frizzell (also to South Africa, with four children); Peter and Charo Torres (to Spain). This upcoming year will also see some missionaries returning to the United States, and (Lord willing) some new Appointees getting started! We are so thankful for what the Lord is doing, even if sometimes we may feel hurried in all that has to be done.

Some current things also help us. We are delighted that the price of oil has come down; this impacts those overseas even more than those in the United States. Virtually ALL of the areas that The Gospel Furthering Fellowship serves outside of the United States have much higher gasoline prices than America. France & Spain (for instance) have a price more than DOUBLE the American price. Africa and Asia are also higher than America. Finally, GFF as a Mission Board simply does not have funds to ?adjust? for the cost of living. Like missionaries, we are entirely dependant upon God?s people for our financial existence.

What does the future hold? Higher energy costs and inflation may come (again). Correctly, it is said that the future is as bright as the Promises of God. We certainly are counting on that! Perhaps (but only perhaps!) the more immediate future for us is a lot of travel and public contact. While we long for the coming of the Lord, there is a great deal to be done until we see The Blessed Hope. I (Bruce) will be in or through thirteen (13) states between now and mid-November for a variety of ministries. Pray for me as I go; I will be driving rather than flying. Safety is of the Lord, certainly. There ?remaineth yet very much land to be possessed? (Josh 13.1); while the church has no part in God?s specific promises to Israel, much remains to be done. THANK you for your full support.

For the cause of Christ,

Bruce P. Busch
General Director