Encouragement from Brian and Doris, Edmonton

Melody* is in her 20s; her son Dave* is about 10. Rick,* her dad, had twisted both of their lives with his malign influence.
The dictionary defines a curse as: an appeal or prayer for evil or misfortune to befall someone or something. The Bible promises freedom from such things: John 8 :31-38 and Romans 8:2.
“My dad’s an atheist,” was Melody’s reply when we invited her to do a Survey. It was like she was saying, “This can’t be for me. This is not the world in which I have been brought up.” The curse Rick had imposed on Melody and Dave was, “I’m an atheist and you are too.”
Being part of a visible minority family, Rick was no philosopher. In his vocab atheist simply meant, “I intentionally exclude God from having anything to do with my life.” Who knows? His thinking may well have been caused by experience with “organized religion” i.e. folk Christianity, Canada’s popular religion.
So Melody said No to the Survey. She was afraid; just like I’d be if someone invited me to a seance.
Then we offered her an evangelistic booklet. She reluctantly agreed to take it. Curses never take away a person’s ability to choose, they just pervert a person’s interests and desires.
The further we proceeded in the conversation the clearer the conflict became. Her heart said one thing; her upbringing said something different. A battle was taking place on her doorstep between the Holy Spirit and the forces of evil.
Her outside lights were not working so communicating was something of a challenge, but God is in control even of burnt-out light bulbs. For our interview with Melody semi-darkness was the divinely ordained perfect ambience. We praised God for the semi-darkness.
After she’d accepted the evangelistic booklet we offered to show her the Life Circles. She agreed.. This may well have been the very first time in her life that Melody had heard a summary of the Good News.
“What’s in this for me?” is always the first question that pops into a listener’s mind. “This circle here represents those people who are enjoying pardon, peace and purpose in their lives. Is that something you’re interested in?” we asked her.
If you’re created in God’s image you’re interested in those things; so everyone is. “Yes, I guess so,” Melody replied.
“Maybe we can give you a brief summary of what’s in the rest of the book?” She agreed to that suggestion. We read the Great Invitation to her. We reminded her that those enjoying pardon, peace and purpose in their lives are those who have said Yes to Jesus’ invitation.
Melody wasn’t prepared to say Yes to the Great Invitation, but the curse was broken. She’d listened to a brief presentation of the Four Fantastic Facts: love, guilt, forgiveness and choice. In her heart she knew all of them. But she’d never heard God’s view of them.
Later we were able to leave her a Children’s Jesus DVD for Dave to watch. It’s a fascinating presentation; our guess is that Dave and his mother have already watched it many times.
*=not real names

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Eva's November 2007 Update

Hello again from Greece,

Most of the time, I am spending on a one to one basis
with trainees/co-trainers that will continue the work
once I leave Greece. Our time involves visiting thier
other friends, outreach, praying by the mountain,
devotionals, and lots of souvlaki tasting.

Prayer Requests:
1. Elgin, one of the first trainees here works part
time. We meet Monday-Wednesday AMs for practice,and
outreach. She asked me if I could teach her more. LAst
Monday, the boyfriend of her boardmate was visiting.
She requested him to sit down beside her and listen to
the Gospel presentationas she practices before we
would go out that affternoon. Sure enough, Philip
prayed to receive Christ during the practice. Elgin
was even able to do the first follow-up meeting on
assurance of salvation.

2. Geraldine is a young Grade One teacher at the
Philippine School here in Athens and a teacher of
Elgin's daughter. I met her when we picked the kid to
school and had a short conversation. When I told what
I do, she was so keen to listen. I am taking her out
for coffee on Wednesday after school. Pls. pray that
she will welcome the Jesus DVD for Kids in Greek that
I brought and eventually connect with the Filipino
principal of their school to show this film.

3. Nini, Shirley, Elgin, Analyn, Maria and Lily are
the key leaders that I am eyeing to do the job here.
Thank you for praying for them.

4. Aloha whom I mentioned before with snatched bag. To
get another passport and working permit is in the hand
of her lawyers but no action has ever been done since.
She walks around uneasy when she sees a police
approaching.

Thank you for your patience with my plain viewing
update that's unedited and no attachments as I do this
in the internet cafe: I have to be quick as it is so
smoky, loud music, and since I only work with my left
hand and right's point finger due to my right arm's
dead nerve. I am rejoicing for sustenance God is
giving.

Love and prayers,
Eva