Jesus told his disciples, "When the Holy Spririt comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." At GFC we believe that these words apply to us to-day - at home, on the continent, or wherever else we may be - and by the time you read through this letter we know that you will agree and be just as excited as we are!

AT HOME - Terry Hurst reports that he has become a Trustee of the Buckinghamshire Gypsy/Traveller Project. In December 1996 he went to Aylesbury for the launch of a special Health Pack for travellers which allows them to keep their own medical records to pass on to the next doctor, and provides telephone numbers of doctors and hospitals, and health care advice. The event was a great success. There were pictures of Gypsies and Travellers on display and GFC was publicised. Terry was interviewed on BBC Radio Three Counties and on local radio 92.6 FM. He is busy visiting church groups with talks on Gypsies and has many preaching engagements at which he always wears his GFC badge. He and his wife, Lin, continue to visit neighbouring sites and make friends with the Gypsies there. They take young Alfie along with them and we hope he will grow up to follow in his father's footsteps! Please keep Terry and his family in your prayers as he builds bridges and preaches the gospel to Gypsies and Gorgios alike. GFC has been approached about taking the marquee to a site in Essex for a mission in May. No details are available at the moment but please pray for the plans and organisation of this event.

FURTHER AFIELD - Valdemar Kalinin and Christina visited Gypsies in Ireland during their Christmas break and had an enjoyable time. He continues his liason work in schools in London and translation of Scriptures into Gypsy languages. In April he will be attending the UBS translators conference in Vienna and he would value your prayers for his work and his family in Minsk, Belarus.

UPDATE FROM SLOVAKIA - Malcolm Blowes writes that there have been conversions in the church and that Holly's work with the children and teenagers is going well. A Gypsy baby has been dedicated and a Slovak doctor has been baptised. Sam and a 21 year old Gypsy man are translating the gospel of John for the Vlahi Gypsies. Malcolm is now President Slovakia of the FGBMFI and will be taking a group to Bercy, Paris at the begining of May. Phyllis is busy with the women's work, so there is plenty for prayer and praise. We are looking forward to visiting Partizanske again in April and we will be away from 14/04/97 to 01/05/97.

ROMANIA - We will also be away from 30/06/97 to 31/07/97 travelling to Romania so please keep us in your prayers as we make these long journeys across Europe. We have received a good report about Alina Carmen who is doing well at school and also took part in the Christmas play at church. Please remember her and and her family (she has two little sisters) in your prayers. And don't forget the slogan "CHANGE FOR A CHANGE"! Please save your loose coins for Project Alina and if you would like a collecting box just let us know and we will send you one.

PAKISTAN- Basharat Ureem spent the final months of 1996 in Karachi visiting the churches and sharing the vision for evangelism among the Gypsies. Our Special Christmas Project raised £140.00 extra for his work and we hope your support of Gospel Cards in 1997 will enable us to increase support for Bash and the team. Congratulations to Bash and Sheba on the birth of their daughter Durwah (which means 'pray') on 08/12/97. She is a very bonny baby. Please keep them all in your prayers.

MORE CONGRATULATIONS - are in order for Clive and Beryl Johnson on the birth of their daughter, Anna, on 11/03/97 - a sister for Peter and David. Praise the Lord that mother and baby are doing well!

BYWAYS - The latest bulletin is enclosed so please make use of it. Every prayer is a powerful weapon to bring the strongholds down. And if you would like to pray daily for the work of GFC please let us know and details will be sent to you.

AND ON THE AIR - Our friend from CBF in France, Rev 'T' Thomas, sends greetings and news about the radio programmes in Romanese which started twice a week last October on TWR from a station in Albania. They will go out three times a week from 01/04/97. Later this year it is hoped to extend the broadcasts to every day of the week as other organisations partner TWR. This is an enormous project but it has the potential of reaching gypsies in Europe and eastern Asia with the gospel. You can become involved in this project by praying earnestly for everyone who is in any way part of it.

NOW TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH - We have been invited to a church in Chita, Siberia, which would like to start an outreach to Gypsies in the area. Initial talks have taken place and we are planning to make the trip (not in the Gospel Waggon!!) in 1998. We are excited at this prospect as you can't go much further than Siberia! It will be an expensive journey but we are sure that God who has called us is faithful and will provide for all our needs. Please pray with us that everything necessary for the trip will be provided.

THANK YOU to The Way-In Christian fellowship, who enable us to send out our Newsletters. With Christian love and Easter greetings from everyone on the GFC Team.

The Lord is Risen Indeed!

STOP PRESS - Please pray for the recent situation in Pakistan, where Christians are being killed and persecuted.

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