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Alan Buterworth Family Update
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Newsletters - click "Get Resource" to see complete PDF version with photos and more
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Entries from
June 2004
June 2004 Newsleter
ENDURANCE by Alan Butterworth
OK, I ADMIT IT... I am afraid! My only son, Josh, is in the Army, on his way to the most dangerous part of Iraq. My wife, Pam, still struggling with Lyme disease, is on active duty in the Army Reserves. Will she go too? Steve’s wife Jan continues her struggle with Huntington’s Disease. Each Apple of His Eye missionary is facing trials and fear. But we are enduring! Will you keep us in your prayers?
We all experience the consequences of this fallen world in our lives. Would you let us know how we can pray for the things that are causing you to be afraid right now?
Mostafa, my Iranian brother-in-law, recently asked, “What have you got to show for what you do?” It is easy to get discouraged in Jewish missions, and to fear that we are not doing the right things, or doing enough.
Fear is one of Satan’s most powerful weapons. Immobilized by fear, we say, “Maybe I will have another opportunity to tell my unbelieving friend about eternal life.” Will this time ever come before it is too late?
Moses was the greatest leader the Israelites ever had. When he was no longer able to lead, the Lord told Joshua, “you will bring the Israelites into the land”. Joshua had some huge shoes to fill and the terrifying task of facing countless enemies! Joshua had every reason to be afraid....
Why is Audrey smiling?
Because she edured with us in our
summer outreach. Come, share in the joy!
Endurance
By Steve Cohen
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Thessolonians 1:3
Recently, I was the guest speaker at a church not too far from St. Louis. In my conversation with the pastor before the service begins, I usually ask how we in The Apple of His Eye can uphold the pastor and his ministry in prayer. The answer that came this day was from a seasoned minister, “Pray for endurance in the ministry.”
As I thought on his response, I was reminded how, over my 27 years as a missionary among the Jewish people, the quality of endurance is vital to any sustained mission effort.
Just what is endurance?
1. the ability or power to bear prolonged exertion, pain, or hardship
2. an act or example of toleration of prolonged suffering or hardship
3. the survival or persistence of something despite the ravages of time
I have heard it said that just about anyone can start an endeavor, or has initiation. But it takes perserverence, guts, determination, stick-to-it-ness to complete the effort. I like to call it “finish-iation”!
There are over 13 million Jewish poeple in the world today. 99% are unsaved. There are over 6 billion gentiles in the world today. 80% are unsaved. The work of evangelism is far from over, and the sad reality is that too many peopel are dying daily and entering into a Christless eternity.
The Christian life is one of endurance. It is not always bowl of cherries, sometimes it is a bowl of cherry pits! We must endure the hardships of indifference and rejection – even by those closest to us. We must intentionally persist in our efforts over time! We can not survive long on zeal or enthusiasm alone, but on God strengthened genuine determination to reach the lost before it is too late.
May 15, 2004
Shalom Brother,
Thanks so much for your card. I am sending two pictures; the one alone was taken a few years ago. The other was taken a few weeks ago. I don’t have a picture of myself alone. I feel very honored to be asked to send a picture. I had the joy Sunday evening to sit and talk with the lady who brought me home. She knew absolutely nothing about the Jewish people. All she knew, she told me, was that the Jews and Arabs were always fighting. Another member of the church, who is the Mayor of Blanchard, told me she never knew anything about the Jews and would like to learn about their customs, especially the Old Testament history of the Jewish people. I wanted to shout “oui vey” [sic: Oy Veh] (don’t know whether I spelled that correctly, but I remember hearing it so much in Chicago). Also a few members of the church told me they didn’t know the Jews were expecting the coming of the Messiah, — and Oklahoma is in the United States???? Seems like a foreign country to me. I ask myself, “Is this why I am in this place?” I was also told Wednesday night they never knew anyone who could say the scriptures by memory like I do. And I think I am lacking and I told them I was taught to memorize scripture from the time I could talk. And still I don’t know that much. But I want to keep on learning and telling everyone that the Jews are God’s chosen people and what a history they have. I am called “Hadassah” by a number of my Jewish friends. It began when I used to attend the Jewish Voice meetings in Phoenix, Arizona. I met the Wurmbrands here. This is a very lonely place, but today, when I received your card, my heart rejoiced that I am able to contribute something to telling everyone the Jewish people need our love, prayers and support to tell their own people that Y’shua has come.
Because of Y’shua,
Esther
The above is from a dear sister in the Lord, Esther Dahl, 94 years young. We first came in contact with her in Bowmanville, Illinois in 1976, the year I began my missionary career. Esther has written to us, prayed for us and supported us just about every single month since 1976 and we wanted to share her latest communication with you to encourage you to endure with us, too!
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