eNewsletter » October 2007

Dear Brethren,

One of the joys of Administration is when it is possible to introduce new missionaries. We are pleased to commend to you for your faithful prayer and loving thoughtfulness Patrice and Julia (Stevenson) Niveaux. Julia is the sister of Jared Stevenson; the Niveaux and Stevenson families are planning to work together in France. Patrice and Julia have four boys. Welcome Niveaux family.

Two years ago, when I (Bruce) and my wife (Ruth Busch) visited our missionaries in Spain, the country of France was not in our thoughts. We had heard the statistics: less than one percent of the sixty MILLION French were sincere believers. While in Spain, we went as far north as the French border, and were challenged anew with the utter and complete lost condition of that great country. We began to pray. Two years later, God has delivered two couples for this work. More than ever I am convinced of the value, the indispensable need of prayer! We can't do without it. We cannot.

The logical question that arises is "what other strongholds can we take down with prayer?" There are many; allow me to suggest just one.

The burden of my heart, and my prayer night and day, has been for missionaries serving without help. It is too soon to be certain, but I believe the prayer for co-laborers in Africa may be on the way to solution! It has been demonstrated over and over again - not that it needs to be - that the "effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (Jas 5.16b). Prayer 'works', IF we meet the conditions. So many times we "have not because we ask not", or we "ask amiss" (Jas 4.2,3). If our world is to be reached for Christ, the one indispensable element of that effort will be prayer. Methods and strategies may change, prayer will not. Let us 'roll our burdens' on the Lord, and leave them there.

There are many other things that I could mention. We praise the Lord for the health of the Fellowship. My wife (Ruth) appears to be stable for the moment, and for that we can praise the Lord. The prayers of God's people have brought many victories, some of which cannot be named here, but all of them are recorded UP THERE. We praise the Lord for each & every one of you, for your faithfulness in so many ways.

Full of Praise,

Bruce P. Busch
General Director