Donnie and Blythe Mason

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Prayer Letter/Ministry Update

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE:
OCTOBER 2011 PRAYER LETTER FROM THE MASON FAMILY

Sept. 1 holiday-
On September 1 we, along with people from our church, went to markets, construction sites, subway stations and other places where C.A. people gather, and we distributed thousands of packets containing Bibles and invitations to church. (see picture) For the most part, people received the packets eagerly and some immediately began reading their Bibles, saying that it had been a long time since they’d had something in their own language to read. For many of these people, this is the first time they have actually read a Bible, let alone owned one! Pray that God’s word would take root in their hearts and bear fruit. Ironically, the only person who actually attended church from this outreach was “Henry”, a man who found an invitation in the trash! He has come 4 Sundays in a row and is asking a lot of questions. Pray that Henry will realize that Jesus is the Answer to all he is asking and seeking.

Donnie also gave a Bible to “Greg”, the man we talked about in our last prayer letter. Just a few days ago, we learned that he quit his job at the store near us and is looking for a new job. Pray that we will be able to keep in touch with him, and that he will read his new Bible.

An Exciting Possibility!
We’ve been asking God to show us how we can meet and build relationships with more C.A. people. Soon the cold weather will make it difficult to just go out and meet people on the streets. Through one of our partners, we have learned of a Russian church which has been given permission by the government to use some property free of charge to meet needs of immigrants living and working in Russia. This church has the location and the permission, but not necessarily the ideas or the personnel to utilize this opportunity. We have both ideas and personnel! What an exciting possibility! Seems like a God-thing to us. Our partner is already offering some medical and legal help to people there by setting up consultations with professionals. Pray for us to be led by the Holy Spirit as we explore other ideas, and that we will know the best way to connect with C.A. people through this possibility.

English Course Begins
As we have mentioned in the past, one part of our ministry role here is to help out with the Community Center our C&MA team has established. English Courses are an important part of the community center strategy, both as a way to build relationships with unbelievers and as a way to generate income to pay rent for the Center. Last week, Blythe began teaching a 12-week beginner-level English Course. 12 people attended the first class. Pray that Blythe will be able to find the time each week to prepare well, and that God will use the relationships built through this course to connect people to Himself.

The Kids
Isaiah and Katya have had a great first month of school at the International Academy of St. Petersburg. Katya has also begun attending a Russian ballet school. We are quickly learning that Russian ballet is serious business, even for beginners, but so far she’s enjoying it a lot! Isaiah is learning to read Russian at school and enjoys sounding out things he sees on signs and billboards when we’re out driving. Levi isn’t walking yet, but he sure can get into everything! He brings so much joy to our home with his constant smiling.

May God bless you this month, and may you see His kingdom at work in your life in amazing ways.

Love, Donnie, Blythe, Isaiah, Katya and Levi Mason

Finances
If you are interested in supporting our ministry financially, here are 3 options to choose from:
• Give to the Great Commission Fund (GCF) in our name. When you do, 100% of the money goes toward our support! Checks can be sent to the C&MA, PO Box 35000, Colorado Springs, CO 80935-3500. Write “GCF- Donnie & Blythe Mason” in the memo line. You can also give online at http://www.cmalliance.org/give/ (scroll down to “Support an International Worker”)
• Give to support our Community Center: Send a check to the above address with “St. Petersburg Community Center” written in the memo line. Or, click here to give online: Invest in Community Center
• Give to support our Central Asian ministry: Send a check to the above address with “Central Asian ministry- St. Petersburg)” written in the memo line. Or, click here to give online Invest in Central Asian ministry

Prayer Requests/Answers to Prayer

See update above.

Russia

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