CHURCH PLANTING IN AUSTRALIA

DR. & MRS. DAVID C. BENNETT

PO BOX 1241, DUBBO, NSW 2830 - PHONE/FAX - 011- 61- 2 – 6884 – 2846

EMAIL – Bennett@BibleForToday.org

JANUARY 2004

Dearly Fellow Believers,

Colossians 1: 2 "To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ…Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." The year 2003 left its mark with the continuing of hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan, the tragic earthquake in Iran and on the last day of the year another suicide bomb attack (they should be called suicide murderers) in Israel. What will 2004 bring? Perhaps this is the year we will hear that shout and "the voice of the archangel" and "the trump of God"! Whether 2004 brings Jesus Christ in the air or not we continue "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." Titus 2:13.

We want to welcome Northstar Baptist Church, Duluth, MN, as a new supporting church! Dr. David Sorenson is the founding Pastor of this church and we look forward to serving the Saviour with him and Northstar Baptist for years to come.

We want to thank all those who remembered us at this time of the year with cards, letters and emails. One letter from Iowa spoke about the snow and cold there. We grew up with the Iowa winters but after twenty some years here we are adjusted to the seasons being reverse. The first day of summer was 1 December and as of this writing it is almost 100 degrees outside. The humidity is also very high which is unusual, for Dubbo as a rule has a very dry heat. We have some sweet corn planted so we should be eating some corn on the cob in a week or so. December and Christmas in Australia is (just) a little different from where we grew up in Iowa to say the least.

As most of you know David has sought to use the Letter to the Editor section of the local paper to proclaim the Gospel. Some have responded negatively to what he has written but not all. We came to know Frank and Dulcy through David’s letters to the editor. Frank called David one day after reading one of David’s letters and talked for quite awhile. We went out to visit them and have made it a custom to visit since. Frank and Dulcy are in their eighties and last year celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary. They are both saved and were members of the smaller of the two Baptist Union churches in Dubbo but are unable to get out of their house now except for visits to the doctor. Pam makes Christmas boxes of biscuits (cookies) and chocolates for various ones. We took Frank and Dulcy’s box to them two days before Christmas and had a good visit. Frank is not doing too well having recently had a heart attack. Frank was in good spirits but he did say when he dies David is to have the funeral. David reminded Frank he could be attending David’s funeral instead and Frank agreed. James 4:14 "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow." We also distribute several Christmas boxes to unsaved people we have come to know. In each box we also enclose a tract. We ask you to pray with us that these unsaved people will read the tract and for God to work in their hearts.

David became terribly sick Sunday afternoon 14 December and was unable to go to Gilgandra for either the radio programme or the preaching service. The preaching service had to be cancelled but Pam for the first time did the entire radio programme. Several people have commented on how well she did.

Thank you for your faithfulness in prayers and support throughout 2003. We look forward to serving the Lord with you in 2004.

Your Missionaries to Australia,