Dear Praying Friends:

Yesterday Gladys and I went on an errand in the central part of Wales. We took advantage of the trip to pay a visit to a couple that moved into the area about this time last year. They came in obedience to a call from the Lord, trusting that He would guide their steps. And so it was good to meet and hear their story and have some prayer together.

On our way home we took a route we had not traveled before and were once again delighted to discover more of the beauty of this land. These little geographic "discoveries" seem to be a good picture of what it's like to meet new members of the Body of Christ. There are are no two people alike, and the variety in personalities and perspectives is such a gift.

I've been reading in Acts this week and in chapter 9, verse 31 it says, "The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement [comfort] of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers."

It is that abiding of the Holy Spirit in one another that can provide the encouragement and comfort that we discover, and make our faith stronger. We can't always explore in our physical surroundings, but discovering "Christ, the hope of glory" in others is always rewarding.

Today was the annual Cardigan Show, which displays much of the locality's best in livestock, agriculture, handling and riding skills, etc. After a cold, windy and rainy start to the day, it cleared up this afternoon and so we went across the valley to stretch our legs and have a look around. Again the variety and beauty in God's creation is amazing and inspiring. We wish you could have been with us.

We managed to catch the tail end of the flower exhibits, and the colors and shapes were beautiful to see. Also I was able to make a video clip of the afternoon cattle parade which you can view at this link. It will give you an idea of the variety and sizes of the many different breeds. What glorious evidence of a loving Creator who desires for people to know Him and discover His eternal treasures.

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." Romans 2:20.

Please pray with us for blind eyes to be opened and hearts opened to Jesus the author and giver of life.

Dick & Gladys

Dear Praying Friends and Saints:

There is something about this small land of Wales that is just so inspiring to us. One might think it is the natural beauty everywhere you look, yet that would be only part of it. We've just returned from visiting some really beautiful places in Guatemala and the USA but there is definitely something different here.

Or it could that we feel this way because we were called here specifically to pray for this country and its people. Well, I'm sure that's part of it too, however it's something more than that because it's not just us. Believers from many parts of the world visit here also, and most would agree that there is something special about Wales.

That something special is the reason why Wales has been called the "Land of Revivals" over the years. Repeatedly over the centuries God has visited this country with wave after wave of the reviving influence of the Holy Spirit, bringing salvation to multitudes, restoration and activation to a languishing church, and touching the nations of the world in its wake.

Among other tiny nations of the world of course Israel has had the most profound effect - it totally changed the course and the timeline of history. God chose to reveal Himself to Abraham and so gave birth to the Hebrew people. And then He perfected that revelation and fulfilled His promise to bless all the nations of the world through His own son Jesus Christ. What a story of amazing grace!

That very amazing grace has been the seed of all revivals, both here in Wales and around the world. And it is the promise of another coming Welsh Revival that seems to hover over this land and make it stand out. This is becoming more and more apparent to people around the globe, and hence the interest in, the visits to and the prayers for this nation. And there is a link between Wales and Israel that is very interesting also. Some people have received the impression that once revival breaks out here it will have a direct impact on Israel and that the revelation of Jesus as their own  Messiah with bring revival to the Jewish people - the story of God's most amazing grace fulfilled!

I think it will be like the story of the scorned Joseph later revealing himself to his brothers as their new master and saviour. "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone." That was a shadow of what was to come with the birth of Jesus. And now in our day we look to see that story amplified far more as God once again touches the earth, openly showing His divine plan of reconciliation through Christ and invitation to all who will come into His eternal kingdom.

The clouds in this recent photo to the right seemed to paint a picture of the coming revival. Like fluffy white sheep, first there were a few scattered ones, and then more and more passed by overhead until soon the whole sky was filled with a massive flock running to Jesus, the Saviour and Shepherd of their souls. Yes, Lord, bring it on!

I love the Lord's response to Jeremiah's prayer in chapter 16:19-21:
"O Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of affliction,
The Gentiles shall come to You from the ends of the earth and say, "Surely our fathers have inherited lies, worthlessness and unprofitable things."
Will a man make gods for himself, which are not gods?
"Therefore behold, I will this once cause them to know,
I will cause them to know My hand and My might;
And they shall know that My name is the Lord."
This is wonderful inspiration that adds hope and assurance to our own prayers as well.

After being visitors ourselves with so many people during our recent travels, we now resume enjoying a stream of visitors here in West Wales. As I've mentioned before, this is a special side benefit jof our intercessory mission here. It is always a wonderful and mutually encouraging as we take part with the Body of Christ "building itself up in love."

Our friend Lesley spent a day with us recently while attending a local conference, and we had a fantistic time sharing a meal and praying together in the chapel. Welsh born and having returned with her husband to finish raising their family in Cardiff, she is preparing for ministry in a bible college where the Lord has led her. She too firmly believes that God has amazing plans for her homeland, and wants to be an integral part of it along with her husband. Please remember to keep them in your prayers.

They are among many people throughout Wales that the Lord has called here for such a time as this. We count it a treasure and a privilege to be in contact with so many wonderful and godly saints. As we watch and wait and pray, we know the Lord is steadily on the move, preparing the ground and working in deeper ways than we can see or touch. But we are among great numbers of people who can sense it in the spirit. And that is what is making Wales a special place today.

We persist with you in hope and in prayer. When the time comes, we will all rejoice to see the fulfillment of God's word,
"... I will cause them to know My hand and My might; And they shall know that My name is the Lord.

Dick & Gladys