Dear Friends,

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”
Psalm 107: 8-9

The plane ride home was exceptionally long. Lahore, Dubai, Shanghai, Dubai, Chicago with trains, buses, and taxis in between. I had departed Wisconsin on a lingering summer day in early October, and returned to a blustery fall day just a handful of weeks later.  The usually long transition, from a summer to a fall mentality, happened this year in a matter of moments.  As I drew in a few breaths of crisp air and admired the changing color of the leaves on the trees, my posture turned to one of gratitude.

This time of year can be a “coming home” of sorts.  We are called indoors, drawn to family, cooking warm and heartier meals, watching football games, and trying to slow down the pace after summer.  It can also be a spiritual “coming home”.  A time of reflection and remembrance, a personal recounting of how God has moved in your life and the lives of others.  Psalm 107 reminds us of the way God is ever present through our circumstances, His steadfast love our sustenance and anchor.

BrookLink is in an intense season of ministry. The time in Pakistan, followed by serving with China Partner in three provinces, was amazing.  Nearly 1,200 Pakistani believers attended this year’s conferences in 2 cities.  These leaders are serving in terribly difficult places and thirst for His word and encouragement in their faith.  Attendees were genuinely absorbed as we moved through leadership messages from the book of 1 Timothy and Titus. Leaders of the Full Gospel Assemblies (FGA) have asked me to consider returning next year to teach.

China was rapid-paced, including stays at five different hotels, air and rail travel, all within 12 days.  A massive country with dizzying activity, many argue China is on its way to becoming the largest Christian nation in the world. With many precious souls who hunger for biblical knowledge and guidance in handling the growth of the church, I conducted training for pastors and church leaders, as well as teaching nearly 100 theology students in Huangshi and Changsha. In Jiangsu Province I visited Amity Press, the world’s largest printing press for bibles in all languages.

Among the many things I am thankful for in this season, is a sense of encouragement seeing God’s hand at work with our brothers and sisters in Pakistan and China. He is satisfying them, and filling them with good things.  I invite you to join me in thanking God for the people in these places, and for the opportunity BrookLink has had to serve among them.

I thank you for your faithful partnership in prayer and financial support which sustain our ministry and allow us to continue this work.  I pray that you may also find yourself in a season of remembrance, holding a posture of gratitude to the God of unfailing love.  “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:15

With gratitude and thanksgiving,

PS: In mid-November you will find us traveling once again, this time back to Africa. I will be traveling to central Ethiopia where I will facilitate a weeklong preaching seminar.

For more information about our ministry, please visit our website www.brooklink.org.  Also, if you have not already done so, please visit us on Facebook and “Like” our page, and share our updates!