Men's BSF Prayer group

Every Tuesday night we meet to pray for the success of BSF in Athens. Here are the faithful members of our men's prayer group. From left to right: Guenter Wadewitz (USA), Dr. Tosh Adeleke (Nigeria), Gary (USA), Sam Onuoha (Nigeria) and Tony (aka Shahin) Eghbalian (Iran).

While the numbers of men who join us each week vary, these men above are very faithful to come each week. During tonight's short Bible thought, we talked about Daniel 1:8; "Daniel resolved not to defile himself..." Since this was the 1st week of 2008, it was appropriate to talk about new years "resolutions." As a result of Daniels "resolve" he was protected, blessed and used by God. This can be applicable to us as a prayer group if we are "resolved" (with firm determination) to be faithful in our calling to serve Him in this "good work."

Our prayer requests for the men's group:
1. "Resolved" in our faithfulness...even if it takes a long time to establish BSF
2. Patience for the group
Rom 8:25 "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we will wait for it patiently."
3. Additional men to join us in this "good work" God has prepared in advance for us to do.

Your prayers are greatly needed and appreciated!

Blessings go to the Faithful!

Gary

Update: Women's Prayer Group

God is doing a great work in Athens, Greece !

For almost two years, a group of women known as the Bible Study Fellowship Womens' Prayer Group, met weekly and prayed that God would provide Athens with an established BSF Bible study.And now...in His perfect will... God is answering the prayers of those faithful women.
In September, the eight members of the prayer group began to invite other women to small group gatherings called "BSF presentations". Presentations are informational gatherings where guest are introduced to BSF and given the opportunity to register for a BSF study. Between October 24th and December 4th, 17 presentations were held in and around the Athens area. A total of 54 women registered for the Philippians pilot study. As we return from the holidays and begin to refocus on the task of starting this new BSF class, I would like to ask for your prayer support in some specific areas.
1. Gods' provision of more women who will register for the Philippians pilot study.
2. Gods' provision of a host church... where the class will meet.
3. Gods' direction in identifying and training class leadership.
4. Gods' perfect timing in starting the class.

Thank you so much for your continued interest and prayer support.
~Claudia~

Shake, Rattle and Roll...Athens hit by earthquake

Sunday morning, January 6, we were awakened at 7:20 am with the bed and house shaking. We were a bit in a "fog" about what was happening, but it didn't take long to figure out the whole apartment was shaking. Fortunately, and thankfully, it didn't last long and there was no damage. Below I've posted a news article stating the quake was a magnitude 6.5 and was felt over all of Greece and part of Italy. The epicenter was about 150 km (about 90+ miles) SW of Athens.
Claudia, immediately after the shock, said that the fist thing that came to her mind was how Powerful God was to shake the earth like that. God is indeed so powerful! What a reminder it was of how small we really are and how Powerful HE his.

Praise and thanks to Him no one was hurt.

Gary

http://considerations.wordpress.com/2008/01/06/earthquake-in-greece/

Happy New Year (Καλη' Χρονια'!)...Just returned from London

The day after Christmas (after Erica left for the States) we boarded a plane for London to spend some time with our newly found European friends. Actually, we met the Loves' in Tulsa last Christmas who were visiting for the holidays. In a very short period of time we have become really good friends.

As part of our trip, we flew through Germany so we could get our passport stamped in Germany rather than Greece. It just keeps the Immigration officers more confused as to our status in/out of Greece. As it turned out, the trip back through Germany was a uneventful and a success. We now have 90 more days before we'll make another trip outside of Greece.


What's more English than eating "fish & chips" on a park bench in a quaint little English beach community? The above picture was taken during our outing with the Loves' to the North Sea coastline where we took a wonderful (but cold) walk on the beach. We then had a bite to eat before heading back to the Love's house. The couple we are with are Andrew and Belinda Love who live to the north of London in Brentwood (about an hour+ northeast of London).

PS. Doesn't Andrew look so English...and I look so American! Next time we go to London, I need to get a cap like his to blend in better. The only problem is when I open my mouth...then it's a bit obvious I'm not British (ha!)


Dinner at the Loves' with some our new British friends. The dinner party was where each couple (not with your spouse) prepared a different course of the meal. It was a great success and a lot of fun. From left to right in the picture; Carol, Ian, Jo, Andrew, Belinda, Collin and Claudia (still wearing her cooking apron).


Caitlin and Felicity before riding trail bikes in the English countryside.