Pray for Joy Corson as she helps program a way of enabling those who have done a basic Bible training course to do more. Classes will probably be held on Friday nights and all day Saturday for those who can’t do the weekly study program. Praise the Lord for the great blessing this study program has been.

Praise God for 5 people who will be baptised on 21 February! The church is growing so rapidly they are hoping to rent a larger building in Liege. Pray for negotiations with the city council regarding use of the building as a church.

Following threats from Muslim nationalists, a Turkish Bible Society bookshop in the southern city of Adana was vandalized for the second time in a week on Thursday (Feb. 12).

Security camera footage shows two youths attacking the storefront of the bookshop, kicking and smashing glass in both the window and damaging the door frame.  During the first attack on Feb. 7, the glass of the front door was smashed and the security camera mangled.

The employee who discovered the damage said that these are the first such incidents he has witnessed in the 10 years he has worked there.
"We sit and drink tea with our neighbours and those around us; there are no problems in that regard," he said, though he did acknowledge that local opinion is not all favourable towards the bookshop.

Pray for protection of this and other Christian bookshops, for ongoing good relationships with neighbours, and for a positive heart and attitude toward Christians in this land.

Bian Tan, a missing Betel missionary is now assumed to have perished in the bush fires raging through parts of southern Australia.

Betel UK Director Kebt Martin writes:

Bian Tan served faithfully and sacrificially with Betel for many years in Spain and Australia. We know she is safely with the Lord. Please remember her family, and the team in their courageous efforts to rebuild. 

Betel assistant director, Lindsay McKenzie writes:

On the evening of Saturday 7th, the Betel Australia team was forced to abruptly evacuate the Betel Australia property in Marysville, Victoria, when massive bushfires suddenly appeared on the forest-covered mountain behind the property. It appears they were given no prior warning of the close proximity of the fires, although most had packed a bag.

The giant flames rapidly and mercilessly razed the entire township to the ground. Our dear friend and co-worker, Bian, along with possibly over 100 other men, women and children, (one fifth of the population), is believed to have died in the inferno that swept through Marysville. The town is still closed off as a crime scene and authorities have warned that it could be weeks or even months before any official confirmation of deaths can be given.

In view of this, Bian's family have chosen to hold a private memorial service for her family and close friends. Lindsay McKenzie, daughter Rebeca and the Betel Australia survivors will attend.  

Links: 

• Betel International
• Betel Australia 
• WEC Australia
• BBC News mentions Marysville tragedy 

 

 

One of our workers in Spain writes about the day to day reality of church planting there:

I met Andreas last summer when I was fishing in the river Eo. He really appreciated the Good News as I shared with him. May this friendship with Andreas and his wife grow and bear the fruit of salvation.