Thomas

Hi!

We trust you had a thankful Thanksgiving! We had a real nice one, and look

forward to what the Lord has next. We're learning that thankfulness shouldn

t merely come when all goes well, but even when their are struggles. We're

looking forward to our time in in San Jose, especially with our commending

assembly. We plan on spending the month of December there, and look forward

to some rest and family time. Although we'll always have plenty to do, and

thankful for the opportunity to serve. We're looking forward to seeing a

number of dear believers, and even fellowship in a few different assemblies.

Please pray for us.

Pray for;

Our preparation as we plan on leaving next Friday. We have quite the list of
"to dos"
Our safety and happy family time as we travel.
God's leading and grace as we fellowship with the believers of Ave. 54 in
Los Angeles
Our house and animals etc., as they will be cared for by one of the interns
and his family.
The conclusion to the first stage of the intern program, that all would
finish well.
God's leading regarding the next stage of the program, both for teaching
help and for the students who are considering joining the current class.
Our time visiting in San Jose, wisdom with commitments and visits,
fulfilling His purpose for the visit.
Our family time; we really need Him in this.
Pray also for our time with both saved and unsaved relatives.
Praise the Lord for all of His care. We are very thankful for each of you
individually.

In His Care and Service,

Bryan Thomas

Romans 1:16-17 For l am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of

God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 7"The just shall live by faith."

What a great reminder of the power of the gospel for us to be saved from the grip of death and hell, and much more. Notice that it doesn't merely speak of a ticket to heaven but living by faith, the victorious Christian life! Also, the good news is to be shared. If we look at the rest of the chapter, it speaks to the pagan who knows nothing of the message and stands condemned! That's where we come in. God is calling us to live and proclaim the gospel. It's hard work but it's to be done in His strength and not ours.

We're really enjoying God's grace in the midst of a lot of fruitful hard work! The intern

training program is going quite well, with some tangible results already, but with a lot of

seed work in the lives of the 5 students and in the assembly. Pray for each of these

students as the load continues to be heavy. With the interns doing more and more

ministry under evaluation, the need for God's grace is more and more evident. Pray for me

as I need some help with teaching the classes so that I can get on top of the coordination of

the activities that are part of their training.

Our neighborhood has a lot of poverty, and some crime, and lots of kids! We are quite content living here. The kids in the neighborhood are always at our house, we just need Jesus to lead and guide as He wants to reach them and their families. Please pray for protection and safety for our family. We really need God to clearly guide us in leading them by the heart and not just addressing the externals. We are starting with the BJU home schooling satellite program, and need wisdom in the startup and the long run. Pray for Joy's strength, peace and Joy in this.

The assembly as a whole is showing some real positive signs of growth with more looking forward to being baptized. Pray that all that's done would be done with much discernment for the best of His kingdom.

Requests:

• The students, who are all working full time while taking the training. Some have some bible college background, but all are taking in things that are quite new.

• As mentioned, I need God's provision in many ways, including teachers, and wisdom in organizing the intern activities.

• I also need prayer for outside speakers to come at the end of each module. I've got a couple of brothers tentatively scheduled, but would like much more as the Lord leads.

• We really need God to help us as we look to raise our kids in Christ. Pray for our family to grow in Christ.

Hello Dear Brothers and Sisters!

What a great privilege we have to not only know the Savior, but to be called to serve Him. Do we always remember that all believers are called to serve Him, bearing fruit for His good pleasure? John 15

We are further encouraged by the Lord's hand in our lives and in the ministry. It's a real blessing to work with people who are open in various ways. There are some who are willing to make deep sacrifices to take part in a recently started leader training program. The neighborhood kids are open to us as a family. We need the Lord to work in these needy families. Families in the assembly are open to us so we are able to counsel where needed. Probably most important of all, we find encouragement in the fact that our kids are open to our love and instruction. Unsaved acquaintances are open to ask for help, so we rejoice in the answers God gives us. Thank you for being open to praying for us. There is much to be thankful about, and much to pray about. Praise God that He is at work all over the world, and that He's inviting us to join!

The many small children in our neighborhood; their salvation and that of their parents.

On that note, pray for the AWANA program and the upcoming Vacation Bible School

Our family; the homeschooling continues to be quite challenging for Joy. The three oldest will be attending a kids camp at Koinonia.

Our leader training program; it's a discipleship based program, although the five students are all working full time while still taking the program. Pray for each of these brothers and their families. Although the program is in the nature of the intern training program from the bay area, it is a work in progress.

The Sunday School classes as they are starting to really bear fruit, but more help is needed.

Thanks again for your support in prayer.