Van Straatan Prayer Letter

Dear Prayer partners,

Act 28:15" And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came
To meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage."

Yes the churches; Villiersdorp Community Church, Monte Vista Presbyterian Church, The Free Church Continuing of Scotland, The Evangelical Christian Fellowship of Bellville, Frontline Fellowship and so many other Christians come to meet us as far as Zambia, to meet the needs for that great work,
and I took courage, (as Paul said), yes we took courage. The involvement of our Christian friends and supporters give us courage and we press on.

There was a time we were able to thank God in detail for all His provisions, but I must admit it reached the stage where we were overwhelmed - the list became so long, that we sometimes just responded with a general thanks to our great God. The Lord provided to such an extent through His children that we can say there is nothing that hinders us to proceed and march on. Today (28/02),the great moving to the north began, as Neville and Margaret Rasmussen started to travel towards Eastern Zambia with a loaded mission vehicle and trailer. Two men; Cammy Macleay from Scotland and Geoff Bailey from England, will join on the 3rd of Feb. at Lusaka - the work of 2004 will commence at Covenant College, as they will begin to get things in order for the opening of the College on the 2nd of March. They will have a remarkable task. The news came through, that the planned African - style lecture hall, was not build as contracted ! Well the College will open on 2 March, Lord willing, even under the blue sky of Our Father. May we ask your prayers for:

1. The preparations on the mission station by the three men, for the opening of the College.
2. Neville's, wife Margaret, that she will not have heart problems while in Zambia - she joined her husband ( she has the same problem as my wife Fransa - just more severe)
3. Traveling grace, and easy going through the border posts for Neville and Margaret.
4. Fransa is, Lord willing, going to have a small heart operation which will correct the defect causing the heart palpitations, - 24 hours in hospital. Pray that the doctor will be able to detect the spot/place in the heart from where the wrong signal is sent out which causes the problem, that he can defuse it - her problem will then be solved permanently and the daily medication stopped.
5. That the news will be spread of the opening of the College on 2nd of March and new students will enroll.
6. Thanks giving: a) My work permit for Zambia is approved. b) The Free Church Continuing notified us that the running cost for the College is approved. Frontline Fellowship paid our air fair, provide the traveling cost for Neville, printed all my lectures - well there is just no end in a joyous participation by all parties. It is like a triumphant fanfare which signals the marching on of the Gospel.

We believe the Lord is doing a great work and what a privilege to be included in it - what are we - it is a humbling experience !

In His service,

Jan and Fransa van Straaten