PRESTON´S PRAYER POINTS FOR MARCH

Hi everyone. The year seems to be marching along as this short month has just disappeared. It´s been a good one, working with the group of new workers, celebrating Coralie´s birthday and meeting for the last time with the current leadership team. Lots to give thanks for and more to look forward to in the coming months....

POINTS OF PRAISE:

• Praise God for these past three years with the current leadership team. It has been a privilege working with these people and we do thank the Lord for each one and the positive experience we have had working together. Please pray for the up coming elections at conference, that the Lord will put into place the people he wants for this role within the mission here in Spain, for the coming 3 years.
• Praise God for a time of ministering with the new workers. Yesterday we lead the service at Usera and it was great to work together and worship with the people there. There are some good things happening in this small fellowship and the arrival of a missionary couple from another organisation and another young man to work with the church is a great encouragement for Frank and Martina, the leaders.
• Praise God for the return of our money. Some of you may be aware that on Christmas day our savings account was completely emptied due to internet fraud. It wasn´t a good time as we were in England and upon returning, we knew we needed to pay for our tickets back to Australia. We´re thankful that 2 months later the bank has repaid it in full and it was just when we were about to pay for the tickets. Thank you to those who offered money and support during this time. We are very grateful and continue to see the faithfulness of God in providing for our needs.
• Praise God for some good times with our colleagues over the past month when we got together for the prayer day, the Madrid men´s breakfast and a number of "catch ups" with different workers. It is always an encouragement to hear what the Lord is doing in each one´s lives and to support one another when challenges arise.
• Praise God for the opportunity Steve has had recently to begin some coaching sessions with a trained coach, addressing areas related to leadership he would like to grow in. This is timely as there will be a focus for some of the WEC conference in May on coaching so he will have had some first hand experience.

POINTS OF PRAYER

• For our annual team conference at the end of this month. As well as the elections, would you please pray for the speakers Andoni and Shane as they prepare what the Lord puts on their hearts, the worship and prayer times together, the business sessions, workshops on coping with conflict and the times of fellowship and fun. Please pray too for the children´s workers and the children, that conference will also be a special time for them, and also for the 4 babies of the field, that they will be settled and content with a change of environment and timetable!
• For a good time with Coralie´s father who arrives next Sunday (7th). He is coming in time to celebrate Lucas´ first birthday (12th) so please pray that it will be a special time together. This will be the first time Michael has met Lucas, other than through skype! He comes with a travelling companion so it will be a full house.
• For preparations for our time back in Australia. The timetable is slowly coming together and most of the flights are now booked. Please also pray for inspiration as we begin to prepare talks etc so that we can share what the Lord wants us to share and be an encouragement to those with whom we connect.
• For a women´s bible study which Coralie is starting up with some of the women from the mission. It will be in an area south of Madrid where several of the workers live. Please pray for a good time of studying the Bible in spanish together and that the group will grow and be an encouragement to many.

Thanks for your support. We really are looking forward to seeing many of you soon.

With love,

Steve, Coralie and Lucas