"I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission." (Isaiah 48:15)

1998 has been a year of change for us and in times of differculty we have kept this encouraging verse in view. Our Father promises us success because He has called us and brought us to the place where He wants us to be. Whatever we do, we labour in partnership with Him and He expects us to work hard and be single-minded. We hope that this promise will encourage you and that 1999 will bring you success in whatever your personal mission may be.

SLOVAKIA, HUNGARY & ROMANIA - We were away from home from the 31/7/98 to 28/9/98 and at the end of that time we were glad to get home. It was a long time to be away. During the five and a half thousand-mile trip we had the usual quota of problems and accidents to cope with (including a shattered windscreen two and a half hours away from Calais when we were coming home! However we praise God that He is always a very present help in times of trouble! We had been asked to return to Partizanske in Slovakia and Szajla in Hungary to help with the children's summer camps and these went very well although there were always more at meal times than we had counted at the begining of the day! We will continue to support this work in the future. In Partizanske Pastor Stano and Sonnie took the children swimming and by the time we got to Hungary Sonnie was sufferring from a very painful ear infection. Pastor Imre  had to take him to the hospital in Eger three times. The treatment was excellent but expensive and made us realise how much we take the NHS for granted. Pastor Imre also took us to the cave-dwelling Gypsies in Sirok to give them the gifts of food and clothing we had brought for them. We wondered if we could find those we had met on our previous trip and were amazed that they were in the street when the van drew up as if they knew we were coming. It was a wonderful re-union! We were invited to join the Gypsy churches in Szajla, Kerescend and Verpelet going to the Agape Convention in Tata and as Pastor Andras wanted to take everyone along we were glad that GFC was able to sponsor some of those who would have otherwise been unable to attend. Fortunately for us the main speakers used English so we benefited from the teaching and the fellowship. Imagine the surprise of our group when we were called up on to the platform during the final meeting. You could see their self-esteem and confidence rising as Sonnie, one of their own people, was given the opportunity to speak to the assembly. In addition Rosemary was the only woman who addressed the gathering - on a favourite theme: 'Unity.'  Our next stop was at Caran Sebes in Romania and as it is not far from Petrosani we took time to visit Alina and her family. (Our Project Alina is named after her and we are still collecting funds towards it under Tom Dawson's slogan "Change for a Change." So please remember to save your small change and send it to boost the fund.) They were happy to see us and receive the gifts we had for them. Alina is growing fast and is doing well at school. When we were rested from the journey our host, Marian Zanfir, took us and a family of gypsy musicians to the Pentecostal church in Turnu Severin where they played and sang to the people. He also took us to visit Gingova where some Christian gypsies were making their own bricks to build a church for themselves. We had met many of the group when we visited last year so were able to encourage them and share in their fellowship. We continued on our journey to Bucharest and on the way we saw many groups of gypsies travelling along in their horse-drawn waggons or camped in the fields by the roadside. We were disappointed that we could not stop and make contact with them but time was short. When we got to Bucharest Sonnie's ear infection flared up again so we were not able to do much work there. Thankfully our hostess was a doctor who was able to give him the treatment he needed and when he was sufficiently recovered we carried on to Tirgu Mures where we spent the final weeks of our stay. We were delighted to be invited to the official opening of the Gypsy School in Valea Rece which we have supported and encouraged since our first visit in 1994. The school has received funding from Holland for two years and we had discussions with the manager of the project when we handed over the stationery and Christian literature in Romanian, Hungarian and Gypsy languages we had brought for the children. We returned another day to distribute toys and it was just like Christmas! This provided a good opportunity to explain that Jesus is "God With Us" all the time and teach them to sing "The Love of Jesus is so Wonderful" in English. They already knew it in Romanian. On the three Sundays we were in Tirgu Mures we went to the nearby village of Chirileu to evangelise in the gypsies quarters. Here the people had been affected by the floods and were living in appalling conditions. They responded to the gospel and asked us if we could find a Pastor for them. We were pleased to find three Pentecostal women there and one of them had a Bible so they were encouraged to form a Study and Prayer group in their home. Clothes and food were taken to the village and with the help of the Orthodox priest  a larger distribution was organised. He also told us about their desperate need for clean water as their only source is some five kilometres away. We are investigating ways in which this need may be met and we would value your prayers for this. We were delighted to find a lively church and to make some very special contacts in Tirgu Mures this year - already involved in working with the Gypsies in the area. They have agreed to add Chirileu to the three villages they are already visiting and arrange for a Pastor and Gypsy evangelist/musicians to visit too. When our spirits and energy were flagging, the Lord led us to people we can communicate with and trust and who are one at heart and mind with us. Praise God for this wonderful provision! After all the travelling and our many adventures and glad to be home again to tackle all the work that had accumulated while we were away.

PAKISTAN - Basharat Ureem's last letter gives news of the worsening situation for Christians in Pakistan and the dangers they face on account of the blasphemy law. But in spite of this he and the team continue the work with confidence. Bash had been in touch with the Scripture Union and received a consignment of free literature for distribution during October. Please pray that this scattering of seed will bring forth an abundant harvest and that the courageous team of young men and their families will be protected from every kind of danger. Congratulations to Bash and Sheba on the birth of their son Diam on 2/7/98. Durwah loves her little brother very much! Bash and the family would value your daily prayers for their safety.

HOME NEWS - Terry Hurst and Rosemary now serve on the Advisory Committee of the Churches Commission For Racial Justice and this has given Terry many more openings to speak about the work of GFC at meetings and on local and commercial radio. Did you see the write-up in the New Christian Herald of 17/10/98? He was responsible for that! If you did not see it and would like a copy please get in touch with the office. He is also working hard to bring more Gypsies into fellowship with us and hopefully they will share the ever increasing workload. As ever the harvest is plentiful but there are too few workers.

Terry has had to give up his job for various reasons and has been short listed for a pastor's job near oxford. and has had other interviews. Please pray for Terry and the family that god will provide for all their needs.

GREETINGS FOR CHRISTMAS & THE NEW YEAR - This Newsletter comes to you with the very best wishes, love and prayers for everyone at GFC for Christmas and in the coming year - God bless you richly every day as you walk with him.

Thank you to all at the Woodford Christian Life Church who support us with their love, prayers and make the distribution of this Newsletter possible. We appreciate you all!

With love from all on the GFC Team.