Lessons from Old Dead Guys – Week 1
Mark Vance
Biography of Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
Lessons From Old Dead Guys 1
Sunday Night Adult Module
Matthews - January 2011
Caroline’s Doctors Appt
We wanted to update you on Caroline’s doctor’s appt. with the pediatric cardiologist. If you remember last year, Caroline had been diagnosed with a development of tissue on one of the valves of her heart. It causes a slight leakage or murmur in her heart. The specialists at the time stated there was no concern at that time and we would need to come in for an evaluation each year. If there is any growth, she would need to have surgery.
Come to find out this condition only occurs in approx. 2% of people and usually needs surgery. Our cardiologist has had to operate on all of her patients that have this condition in the past.
It has been a year since Caroline was diagnosed with this condition. She has not had any ill effects since the diagnosis. She was a champion at the doctor this week. After looking at her heart, the cardiologist saw no growth in the tissue and did not see the need for surgery at this time. Caroline even said, “I like going to the doctor, ” as we left the office. What a trooper. We will need to go back for another evaluation in 12 months. Thanks for your prayers.
School
A big day for all on Monday, all of the kids start school at the Australian Christian College (Colleges are the schools prior to University in Australia) Yes, our school year starts in January, after summer in Australia. Quite an adjustment from homeschooling for Cathy and the kids. Please be praying they all adjust well to the transition.
Panel + Series
City Bible Forum is changing the format for the Forums for 2011. It is exciting changes, but not without its challenges. We would appreciate your prayers for it. Details about City Bible Forum at www.citybibleforum.org
Format: Each month the Forum would begin with a Talking Point issue. We would have a panel of 3-4 ‘experts’ on the various topics. Then from the panel, the following weeks would be a series answering many of the discussion points from a Biblical perspective.
eg: Imagine series: Panel discussion would utilise the lyrics from the John Lennon song and discuss the idea Imagine there was no religion, God, heaven or hell… Then Al Stewart would do a series for three weeks on the Biblical perspective of these implications based in the New Testament. Our panelists are Dr. John Dickson (biblical historian), Jane Caro (Writer/Athiest) & Dr Tanveer Ahmed (Writer /Clinical Psychiatrist/ Moderate Muslim).
Panel format: Three to four individuals would be willing to discuss their view on the topic. It is not a debate, but an interactive discussion with a moderator and the audience. We would have key people set in the audience who have a specific view on this topic to set in motion the conversation. We are following the model of SBS ‘INSIGHT’ for the format. Time: 1:10-1:50 (Wednesdays and Thursdays) First week of each month.
Panelists: We would like the panel to be a mix of differing view points. We have a mixed audience of approximately 200+ each week. The experts we are contacting are not desiring to recruit for their own cause, but willing to intellectually discuss their view with an audience and others in a panel atmosphere.
Panel and series topics: Imagine no religion, Crossing Over: Is there anything after this life?, Why do we do what we do? Analysing the Human Condition, 2012 and end times: A look at the book of Revelation and others. All will follow with a series based on a biblical perspective of the topic.
We would appreciate your prayers for this format change and that many non-Christians would come to hear the panel and the series.
Thanks for your support and prayers.
The adventure continues…
The Matthews Family
Leonard - February 2011
Prayer Team,
Greetings from warm, tropical, Brazil… OOPS! We should say… Greetings from COLD, WINDY, SNOWY, IOWA! Yes, that is right, we are here in the States trying to stay warm, and it is NOT easy! As we look out the window, we see lots of snow and the thermometer is reading 8 degrees!! We praise the Lord that He has brought us safely here for our furlough. We are getting settled into life here in the U.S.A., enjoying seeing family and friends, and scheduling meetings. Our responsibilities begin on February 25th. Please pray with us for safety and health as we travel, and most of all that God will use us greatly as we minister.
Yes, the last time we wrote, we were in Brazil and getting ready for the Christmas season. Jerrod and Jonna took advantage of their college Christmas breaks and came down to be with the rest of the family and help with the move back. Being together as a family was a special treat. How grateful we are that the Christmas celebration in our home was well-attended. Forty-nine people were present at this great outreach opportunity. We enjoyed the singing of traditional Christmas carols, and John gave a challenge which included the clear Gospel plan. We are grateful for your prayers and want ask you to continue to pray for those who heard how to be saved, but have not yet responded. As a family, we were also able to go “caroling”—something that is new to most Brazilians, but they were so appreciative!
One more HUGE answer to prayer…the Christmas program at Sao Pedro was held in our new, unfinished church building!!!! God used the presentation to touch many lives including several visiting families from the community. The following day, we celebrated by having a special Christmas meal also in the auditorium! Such an exciting time for us all! But no one was more excited than John and the four young men who usually had to carry John up and down those 20 steps to the basement where we formerly held all meetings!! Thank the Lord for His goodness!! And most of all, prayer team…thank YOU once again for your prayers!!!
It has been quite some time since we have given you an up-date regarding our former work in Jundiai. Our son, Joshua, who stayed in Brazil, gave us a report regarding last week’s Vacation Bible School. An average of 90 children were in attendance each day. During the children’s activities, the mothers were also invited to a class just for them. And best of all, there were at least five children who accepted Christ as Savior!! We also received good reports from the work in Gato Preto and the rest home ministry. It is exciting to see the national believers and their new pastors carrying on the work. Thank you for praying for the ministry in Brazil!
May the Lord bless and keep each of you.
Sincerely in Christ,
John and Bev Leonard
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