New Year

Sorry for getting distracted and failing to give you more information about our work here.

As the earth rounds the sun, and we tilt back toward the sun
the days are getting longer! It was even warmer on Sunday!

This is not the main focus of my day, but it has been the biggest distraction.
Norway's got it real hard and I am finished moaning about it.

People serve in Afganistan, Iraq, Sudan, Alaska for crying out loud!

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The ministry:
Acts 2:42
And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

• The Gospel is taught weekly
• More and more people are staying around for tea and biscuits and making plans together
  
• Folks are gathering in each other's homes;
  others are planning a meal together at the church to just mix and chat on an off night
• We are praying corporately, weekly.

A 21st Century expression of the Body of Christ!

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We recently had the first Deacons meeting in two and a half years.
There will be a new selection of deacons/elders for the first time in a decade!

Churches in the Scottish Baptist Union are very 'flat' organizations.
When there is direction and focus, the people do the work of the ministry.
There is a suspicion of a hierarchical eldership/presbytery born of history's past abuses.

In this church there is the concept of congregational leadership. In practice however, there are only votes for electing deacons, spending large sums of money, and 2/3 vote for hiring/firing the pastor :|

So far the first church meeting has been difficult as about five people talked the issue of funding a newspaper add to DEATH! So many things to discuss, preempted by a petty accounting line-item. At least they are committed to being good stewards of God's funds. And we are poor right now so every penny counts.

The good news is that church meetings only happen quarterly and the ministers get lots of work done in between without asking permission for every decision. The church meeting is a good accountability measure and we trust that Jesus is the head of this church, guiding us, however we organize the government of it.

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David was invited to write an article for a local paper at the end of January
He has been asked to speak at a regional Youth camp on the subject of 'Friends and Heroes' at the beginning of February.
He will also be preaching at a community Easter service the day after Palm Sunday.

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This Sunday we will meet in out home for tea with several church leaders in Alva to discuss how we can reach out to our community.

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PLEASE PRAY FOR US OFTEN
ANYWHERE PRAYER HAPPENS IN YOUR LIFE

for time devoted to the personal relationship with God
For family needs met (Spiritual, emotional, physical, financial)
for priorities in ministry and not just busy-ness
for focus on Prayer and Preaching of the word
for a vision of the ministry to the community


This is our life being lived out on behalf of the Lord.
I pray we can hear from Him and serve the true calling of God.

It is hard.
It costs.
Time. Energy. Other opportunities.

We go through this constant revision of priorities
resolving conflicts between family time and ministry concerns
Praying, Preaching and Doing
Wanting to make the most of every moment.
Trying to communicate with you our missionary support

Your role in this work is crucial.
Please don't forget us.
You participate as you PRAY and encourage us.

In His service,
The Frasers