Dear Friends and Prayers:

Last week we had the opportunity to spend some time on the campus of the Bible College of Wales in Swansea. It was a profound joy to be there to pray on the grounds again and to connect with the prayers of the saints over the past nearly 100 years. As I walked out into the gardens at night I was overcome by the presence of God and the depths of His yearning for the lost that has propelled intercessory prayer here for so many years and with such great power and anointing.

So much good seed of both students and staff was birthed and nurtured in prayer. It has gone out from here to the nations during all this time and is still bearing fruit, and its ongoing influence is still tangible here. We can actually transcend our earthly limitations add the cry of our hearts to the"...golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." of Revelation 5:8.

On another walk around the grounds I noticed this interesting old tree. It immediately brought to mind about how the Bible college is now in a new phase of growth after an apparent dying back. Once again we are thrilled to see how the Lord has done such a wonderful new thing here. I was reminded of the verse from Isaiah 11:1 which declares,        "Out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. "

Roughly 300 students from many nations have now graduated from the 10 three-month-long courses of intensive studies that have taken place here since the college re-opened in 2015. And the beat goes on. After a forced shutdown due to the pandemic, they are hoping to be able to start up again In the spring. Your prayers would be much appreciated for this matter. This is just one more of so many things going on in our world today, and I'm sure that we all desire to understand God's timing through it all.

As we carry on with our specific prayer assignment here, it is always a very special blessing to come to the chapel and connect with the prayers with so many that have joined us from the nations to pray with in this special place. At times we still find it a hard to believe that we have been given this astonishing privilege be here praying for revival. And the lack of visitors this year has given us a wonderful opportunity for reflection and appreciation of God's faithfulness.

We just found out on Sunday that there have been some cases of COVID-19 right here in our area. In fact, the school here in Cilgerran has had to close for two weeks because one of the staff had tested positivesadly there have been some indiscretions in our area and over 60 cases have now been registered locally. for the virus. Sadly there have been some indiscretions in our area and over 60 cases have now been registered locally.

Thank you so much for your continued interest and prayer support of our work here. Especially in the current situation there are so many uncertainties, including our search for a new home which is ongoing. But again in all of this, we know without a doubt that God is working in incredible ways around the world today in the church and beyond. What a blessing and strength are the words from Isaiah 30:15, " For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.'"

May the prayers of the saints be your joy and strength,

Dick & Gladys

Dear Praying Friends and Saints:

I had to laugh this morning when I found this picture that I took at Cymdonkin Park in Swansea on Wednesday, because I had jotted down the title and theme of this update on Monday morning. I didn't have that in mind when I snapped the photo but it seems like too perfect a fit to not share with you!

Our Monday readings included Philippians 4:8-9 that says,
       "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
        whatever things are noble,
        whatever things are just,
        whatever things are pure,
        whatever things are lovely,
        whatever things are of good report,
        if there is any virtue and
        if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
        The things which you learned and received and heard and saw
        in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."

With all the hoopla about Tuesday's U.S. Presidential Election and attention drawn to it from around the world, the Lord impressed on me the centrality of these verses. And now we find ourselves four days later and things have gotten even more disjointed. Speculation, distrust, and confusion reign supreme, and the importance of these words is even greater. Jesus Christ is our rock and stronghold.

Some doubters of the faith might say, "Aren't you Christians just brainwashing yourselves?" Well actually, it says in Ephesians 5:25-27, "…just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her  to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."

So yes, it is important that we keep our soulish impulses and brain-powered judgments in check by measuring them up against the truth of the word of God. It is so important in times like these to keep our focus on the big picture, and to remember that we are like the grass the springs up in the morning fades away in the afternoon. But the word of our God abides forever.

When we stop breathing at last in this life, that is not the end of us, but it is the end of the world full of vanity and foolishness. That will indeed be an awesome day, but meanwhile we need to not only keep ourselves sane, but speak sanity into a world that is falling apart. Kings and kingdoms, politics and politicians, theories and philosophies will  all pass away but there's something about the name of Jesus.

He is our bedrock and unmovable foundation. Let's keep that truth and living hope in the forefront of our day-to-day experience. And let's also do our best to make that evident to those around us who are swept into the free-for-all of ideas and theories and expectations so totally centered on the things of this world.

Our prayer during this time of uncertainty is that people come to discover the solid and eternal foundation for our human experience. Jesus said in John 14:6, " I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." And in John 6:37 he says, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out."

May you know His peace and living hope, and be a beacon of hope and stability to those around you,

Dick & Gladys