Special Request

Dear Friends,

Vickie and I pray that you have good health and continue to prosper as we enter this New Year and a new season.

Most of you are aware of the serious accident we were involved with on November 5th, 2014. We are very grateful that things turned out as well as they have, and we know that your prayers, love, and support have played a large part in helping us to overcome!

There is still a very real need that we have that I’d like to share with you. It appears that matters are handled somewhat differently here in the Dominican Republic concerning auto accidents. We have been informed that it could take up to two years for insurance and legal matters to be resolved. Of course, and as you can probably tell from the pictures, our vehicle was a total loss. At this time, it is very unclear what the final outcome will be. Even though it is clear that the other vehicle crossed into our lane and caused the head-on collision, there is no indication they will be found guilty. It is doubtful that we will receive any compensation.

With all of this being stated, I am asking you to please consider helping us. We are never comfortable sharing personal needs. However, we really need to purchase a replacement vehicle as soon as possible so we can continue serving effectively.

A decent used vehicle will cost the equivalent of approximately $10,000. In light of how much we have already shelled out to the hospital and doctors in addition to the extreme need for such a high-ticket item, we are sincerely asking for your financial help and partnership.

As a side note, many have given for various projects such as getting children back in school. Vickie and I want you to know that any designated funds will not be used to meet our personal needs.

Whatever you are able to send will help greatly. Some may send $20 and some might be able to send $2000. Funds can be given through our Gospel Team Outreach website, or checks can be mailed to our Fayetteville address listed below. All donations are tax-deductible and very much appreciated. Please take a moment, pray, and do what you believe God wants you to do.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support! God is moving on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve Him here (even with the crazy drivers). :)

Grace & Peace,
PG

USA Address:
Gospel Team Outreach, P.O.Box 25355, Fayetteville, NC 28314
Website:
http://gospelteamoutreach.com

Listen to the Spirit

This past weekend I experienced something that needs to be shared in order to encourage believers to listen to the Spirit. Christ sent His Spirit to dwell within and to lead, guide, and teach us. His Spirit communicates directly with our own spirit in order to feed information to our soul (mind, will, emotions). Our body is then subject to the authority of that which is leading.

This past Friday night I had an intense stirring in my spirit to pray in regard to the storms that were headed in the direction of North Carolina. It is a rare occasion for me to feel so compelled in regard to weather conditions, but I obeyed the prompting and prayed rather intently. The focus was primarily on protection for my home/family, neighborhood, and church family as well as my community. It specifically centered on a petition for God to protect peoples' lives.

The next morning, as my wife and I read and prayed together, I again felt this intense stirring to pray about the storms. We joined hands and prayed for God's protection on our home/family, neighborhood, and church family. We once again felt compelled to pray for protection on behalf of our community in regard to preservation of life.

By now most folks know about the record number of tornadoes that hit this part of the country. One of these came right past our own home in Raeford, NC, causing very minimal damage. The rest of our neighborhood was spared as well. However, areas of the city of Fayetteville and the surrounding region suffered utter destruction.

The amazing thing is that great numbers of people were not killed or seriously injured as a result of what took place. It is one thing to view a news broadcast on television. It is something else to see firsthand the destruction caused by these storms.

As our church work team went to offer aid in the aftermath of the tornadoes, I was reminded of that stirring to pray for protection against loss of life. This has encouraged me to pay very close attention to the promptings of the Spirit in the future.

We may never know the full effects of our prayer and fasting. However, we can be assured that prayer can and does change the course of history. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have the Spirit of Almighty God dwelling in us. May we honor Him by remaining sensitive and attentive to His voice.

~ PG