ndescribable – that’s the word that comes to mind as I write this latest prayer letter from an airplane. We are at the tail end of our deputation trip to the Carolinas; and God certainly blessed! Since our last prayer letter, we have had several churches join us in support, and have had the privilege to travel throughout the southern states, passionately sharing our vision for Cape Cod. The Gospel is the answer!

Praise the Lord, I was able to win my protest and I was allowed to receive a new medication. I started taking it the last week of February and it takes a few weeks to start working. I am trusting this one will get me back to my old self again. I am thankful for your prayers in this matter.

We have had many great meetings both in Michigan and in NY! As you know, we were in a difficult situation with the government shutdown and not able to close on our house. In spite of that, the LORD has worked all things for good on our first month of full-time deputation.

God has been so good to us, like always! Since our last letter, we have had many great meetings across the country, and several churches joining us in support. I trust that you and your church families had a wonderful Christmas season; I know we did! One meeting I remember in particular was in early January in Webster, MA. I had the privilege to preach on Sunday AM, and preached a message on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Praise God, we had one young man saved! How exciting to preach a message on the Gospel, and have someone understand and believe it!

It is with great joy that I am writing our first prayer letter for 2019 from the Jungles of Papua New Guinea! So much have happened since our last update. We have emptied our house, packed our lives into six fifty-pound suitcases, and traveled to the opposite side of the earth to have the blessing of seeing the field where God has called us to minister! What a privilege to finally call Papua New Guinea, home.

God has been so good to us this past month, and we’re excited to share some of the things God is doing through us on your behalf. The second weekend of January was very exciting. It started on Friday morning with Hannah waking up after having a nightmare that the “Snake” (Satan) had gotten her and that she could not leave Hell. My wife and I went through the Gospel with her and told her that in Jesus she would never have to fear the “Snake” or Hell. We then prayed through the sinner’s prayer with her, and she asked Jesus to save her. Praise the Lord!

Prisoner Letter

Once a year, Lorella travels to Congo to see teachers using these lessons and to confer with Congolese staff for training, evaluation, strategizing, and most important, prayer! John has officially “retired” from ECM, but volunteers actively and lifts much of Lorella’s household load to give her more time for developing lessons.

Dear Pastors, Churches and praying friends:
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” Hebrews 6:10 God has been so good to us these past 43 years, Amen! The faithfulness of your prayers and financial support that has sustained the work here in Porcupine Plain is amazing, and to God be all the Glory!

We have finished another year!! In April 2019 we will celebrate 22 years in the prison ministry. Praise the Lord. In the month of December, I preached in eight facilities and lead 26 inmates to the Lord. I also worked 118 hours in the Upper Midwest Bible Institute. We sent out 873 lessons and enrolled 38 new students. In 2018 we had many blessings and a few disappointments. I lost two full-time workers in 2018 but was able to move my schedule around to be able to do the jail and prison work.