Dear Brethren,           

We appreciate all of you for keeping us in your prayers, we want you to know that you are in our prayers too. We have been encouraged throughout the year by many of you through cards, letters, and phone calls and even through your responses to our newsletters. They all mean so much to us and we really enjoy reading and hearing what you have to say. And so we thank you for wanting to learn more about the work we are involved in and for encouraging us on.

Harsh Winter Sets In

We pray that you are all coping with this cold winter season. This year we did not get as much snow fall as last winter, but it has been super cold. One week the temperature dropped down to 22 below and during the afternoon it would only warm up to about 5 degrees.

At the moment many are dealing with frozen waterlines. In the last two months I have been doing more physical work trying to help people get ready for the winter, especially the older woman who don’t have the strength and who live alone. When I ask what needs they have, most say they don’t have enough wood to get them through the winter. So giving up our own pile of wood and taking time to go to their homes to chop wood is one way we are able to reflect God’s love and kindness. It’s always a great feeling just to see how happy and appreciative they are when we have given up our own time to help them.

On the other hand, we have had our own share of problems. Our waterlines were frozen and I did everything that I could think of to get the water flowing but nothing was working. Crawling in and out from under the trailer, getting advice, having my uncle come over one day, running heaters under the home, and building temporary walls with cardboard around the water pipes trying to get them thawed out, but still no water. After ten days I felt that I had exhausted all my options and the only thing left for me to do was to call a plumber ($$$).

 After troubleshooting the waterlines he said the water was flowing up to the home but did not understand why it wasn’t flowing through the house. The next day I found water flowing from under the home and realized we were now dealing with a broken water line. It was flooded under the trailer and so I dug a trench to drain the water out so we could locate the broken line. That evening the plumber returned and found the broken waterline about 4 feet under and that night we worked until 11pm to repair it…… it felt so good to have running water again.

Hosting the Matthew Class

This month was our turn to host the monthly preacher/teacher training class. Ending the year by completing the first five books of the Old Testament, we now have begun the new year with the book of Matthew. It was great to have Denny Petrilo, (President of the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver) come and teach the first class. We had some new people attend and they said they really enjoyed the teaching.

More Training

The “LOGOS Bible Software” is a tool I use to help me with by Bible studies. Since I was first introduced to this awesome tool while attending Bear Valley, the program has had some major changes and updates. On January 17-18 LOGOS put on a two day training seminar in Albuquerque, NM. It was well worth the time and I’m looking forward to taking the second half of the training class (Camp Logos 2) in Phoenix, AZ. sometime in March, 2011.

The church

Our average attendance has dropped some, but this is far more than we had last year at this time. They are very loving and encouraging to one another. Sheena Currier and Jessica Lee our new sisters in Christ are doing very well and are making every effort to continue with their Bible studies.

I’m also studying with a couple of men who have found these personal Bible studies to be very interesting and they say they need our prayers to overcome their personal struggles that are holding them back.

Consistency is still a major struggle for most and home visits seem to be the only thing that helps to encourage them to come and worship. You all remember Verley Dan who obeyed the gospel a year ago and moved down to Phoenix, AZ for several months then returned to Fort Defiance. He is requesting for our prayers… Dealing with his marriage and still not able to come to some agreement to visit his kids has caused him to lose sight of his purpose in serving God. Please keep him in your prayers daily. We talk weekly and I hope to restart our Bible studies soon.

Final Words

In these last couple of months I have kept myself busy trying to do more home visits with those who have worshiped with us at one time or another. Some tell me they will be back but just have so many things to do such as; hauling wood, repairing a broken window or doing roof repairs, car problems and dealing with health issues and so on. I try to help where I can and pray they will return soon.

I feel real good about the work here even though we still have a lot of work ahead of us. The Bible studies are always an eye opener and the most touching. At the moment I have four individuals that I am Bible studying with and we need your prayers to continue to be lifted up to the Lord.  

We love you all for your dedication that allows us to spread the gospel. We would not be able to do this without your loving and generous support. We pray that we will live a life that that is worthy before the Lord so we can be a great example to others. May God bless you all.

 

With love in Christ, Terry & Pam Laurence

 

 

 

Fort Defiance church of Christ

PO BOX 556

Fort Defiance, AZ 86504

Phone 928-729-2165       Cell 480-634-0124

 Email Address:      laurence_terry@yahoo.com