'Cross the Ocean

This is an update from the Graves, missionary family in South Africa.

My family had the opportunity of knowing the Graves for the years they spent
here in Greenville. They are some of the most gracious and sincere people I know and I'm sure they'd appreciate prayers.

Dear Friends,

We thank you for praying for the ministry here and for us. We have seen
answers to prayer that we want to share with you.

In our last letter we requested prayer for continued use of the community
hall. The Lord answered that prayer, and the rental rate remains the same.
Our congregation learned much about prayer as we prayed regularly for this.

We now have a new prayer request in regard to this. We are now praying that
we can purchase a plot of land. Currently no plots are available in our
community. However, some vacant land in a good location is being discussed
by the council for re-zoning. Jessica, a new believer in our church, is on
this community council. Please pray that the Lord will provide the right
land at the right time for us according to His will.

We continue to see spiritual growth in new believers, and we have had the
opportunity to explain the Gospel to many people. Erwin is a young man whom
Mark met at the shopping center in Northpine. We later visited him at his
home. That day he had just heard a man preaching on the commuter train that
if a person was not a believer, then he was an enemy of God. Mark was able
to take him to Romans 5 to show that this was true and that Christ died to
reconcile us to God.

Pray for Heidi and Theo, who also need salvation. Heidi came to several
services and says she is giving thought to what she has heard from God's
Word.

Continue to pray for Douglas, who occasionally comes to services and listens
to Mark explain the Bible in his home. Pray for Allison, who needs to be
saved.

My co-worker, Gary Yoder, is teaching our winter Bible institute class in
the month of July. He is teaching on the Gospel and Epistles of John. One
of the men in our congregation is taking this course as his first. We are
thankful for his desire to learn the Word.

We have many activities in the coming weeks for people to hear the Word of
God. The Bob Jones University Africa team is coming at the end of July. We
are looking forward to many ministry opportunities while they are here. We
plan to have an assembly in the primary school, as well as an afternoon
Bible club at the community hall. We are planning literature distribution
and a youth meeting as well. It will be a busy time. These activities are
also ministry opportunities for the folks in our congregation.

Also, pray for Dr. Greg Mazak, our pastor from Greenville, South Carolina.
He is coming for a one-week visit on 30 July. We look forward to his
fellowship and preaching. Andrea Albert is the GFA short-term missionary
who teaches our children and ministers at church. She is planning to return
to South Africa soon. Please pray for her as she is in the process of
purchasing her tickets and obtaining her visa.

Thank you for laboring with us with your prayers and support. Please pray
that God will glorify Himself by enlarging His kingdom.

In Christ,

Mark, Sally, Andrew, Bryant, Elizabeth, and Lauren Graves