Dear Friends of Wales Awakening,

Reading Psalm 61 Monday morning, I found myself swept up into a glorious cloud of recollection of God's unfailing mercies. Verse 1 says, "Hear my cry, O God, attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry unto Thee when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." It was like King David was telling my story all over again!

52 years ago, nearly to the day, I was on the rocky coast of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State camped out with some friends. I was desperately seeking for God at the time. And alone on the beach that first night, I literally cried out because my heart was indeed overwhelmed—I cried out to God, and He heard me. Then about eight days later on the 23rd of September, I got radically saved at the Lord's Land near Mendocino, California.
Verse 3 continues, "For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tent forever. I will trust in the covert of thy wings."

Reflecting over the last 52 years, together with Gladys now for more than 47 years, and all the incredible adventures on which God has kept us and and covered us with his grace and protection, we have continually experienced God's amazing faithfulness, His being a shelter for us and a strong tower from the enemy.

Last week we returned home after a wonderful week away in North Wales. It was an especially precious time because we hadn't had a vacation since June last year when we visited family in the U.S. We know the area quite well because we've traveled countless times to prayer-related events over the years. This time, however, we only had plans to relax and enjoy exploring the area around Snowdonia. We saw such beauty everywhere it was pure joy.

We did manage a couple of meals with dear old friends, but the Lord had control of the rest of our wanderings. We had many wonderful encounters and conversations with people in unexpected places, and just had to marvel at how He ordered our steps and timings. One particularly memorable event was meeting a young couple on a once intensely mined slate mountain high above the Lakes Padarn and Peris across from Llanberis, near where we stayed. Gladys struck up a conversation with a young cross-cultural couple, he from Tasmania and she from Rumania. After hearing of  their failure to have a family, we wound up praying for the Lord to give them a child, along with tears and embraces. Please help us pray for N. and L.

Another special highlight was my late birthday gift from Gladys. We rode the narrow gauge steam railway from Caernarfon to Beddgelert and back through amazing mountain and woodland scenery. We opted the first class Pullman Coach, and what a treat. As you can see in the photo, the woodwork was elegant and the furnishings very posh. And across the aisle from us was a French couple with whom we enjoyed lots of laughs, using Spanish, English, and French in 3-way translations to add to the humor. People frequently assume we are here on holiday, and so are curious about what brought us to Wales when they learn that we live here permanently.

Because of this we always have open doors to share the Good News of Jesus. And so we try to make the most of each opportunity as we are encouraged to do in 1 Peter 3:15, "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense [explanation] to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." For all of us as believers, it is our privilege and joy to share our faith with as many as we can. We never know what reaction we may encounter, but the Lord has His ways of directing our steps and words.

We barely had time to catch our breath after coming home before another joyful aventure began. This threesome of amazing intercessors had been on a prayer assignment to the Isle of Lewis, the well-known site of the Scottish Hebrides revival, and several other key places for prayer. Their last stop was West Wales, and we had the privilege of taking them to the chapel in Blaenannerch and then sharing sweet fellowship at our home. Once again the Lord was far ahead of us and gave us an exceptional time together.

We want to encourage you to press hard into the plans that God has for each one of us. We all have an important part to play as we see the ugly fruit of godlessness in the world around us. And may we always remember and boldly proclaim that God is a strong tower for all that run to him. So our prayer is today that thousands would run to him and be saved.

Dick & Gladys

P.S. Just a reminder of my 3-minute podcast Welsh Morning Moments available at: dfunnell.podbean.com.