February/First half of March 1999

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

" Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me."
Isaiah 43:10

Things have been humming around here since we wrote you six weeks ago. The "big news" was our February letterbox drop. In 3 ½ days our people put an anti-Jehovah's Witness pamphlet in the mailboxes of all 9,000 homes in Blenheim. We have tried many different types of tracts over the past eight years that we have been in New Zealand and have seen the Lord bless them all in different ways. The JW's are very strong here in Blenheim and this particular pamphlet keyed in on their false prophecies as well as giving the gospel. We received a number of positive responses from Christians in town who appreciated a bit of truth going out and several angry JW letters. One of our church members has actually been able to give the gospel to an 18 year old JW that he works with as a result of this latest outreach. Please pray for Brandon - after initially being very upset, he has been listening to gospel and asking many good questions.

.......The Rest of the News:

1) Last month we mentioned a Roman Catholic lady named Flo who had professed Christ as Saviour. We have still not seen her come to church and she has been reluctant to get into our discipleship program, but yet she continues to listen to the two ladies in our church who are attempting to work with her. Keep praying for Flo.

2) We asked you last month to pray for Ken - he is still coming along to most of the services, but has yet to make up his mind what church he should be in.

3) This month we saw a fellow from Christchurch named Kevin trust Christ as Saviour through a tract placed in his letterbox almost two years ago. When you cast your bread upon the waters, it does indeed turn up after many days! Please pray as attempt to get a sister church to follow up on Kevin.

4) In mid-February we had our Bring a Friend Sunday. Our people invited every thing that breathed and we had hoped that many people would come, but in the end, the Lord brought us three teenage ladies. As it was, we were able to deal with one of them (Josee from a Pentecostal church) about why we are not charismatic and subsequently about the eternal security of her salvation.

5) Please pray for a fellow named Mac and his wife Janice. They are the lost friends of one of our church members. Bro. Ant got to witness to Mac and Janice this month and they are extremely close to salvation.

6) February was also the beginning of our fall term of the Blenheim Bible Institute. I am teaching Church History this term and Bro. Simon (our Kiwi Associate Pastor) is having his first go at teaching a class - Bible Doctrine. Seeing various people in our little mission church grow and mature in the Lord has been a real blessing!

February and March were also a blessing with several international visitors. My parents from Maine were able to visit for a few weeks and were a real encouragement helping the church to letterbox and with Dad preaching to the folks one Sunday morning. Our home pastor's wife - Mrs. Judy Lagoe - was also able to come over for a visit and I know she was a special encouragement to Debby.

We continue to appreciate your prayers, support and the many sacrifices you make for the cause of Christ in New Zealand and for the Williams' family. Thank you and God bless!


Only Because of His Grace,


Jeff, Debby, Caleb, Luke, Grace & Beth




Return to the Williams Homepage