CHURCH PLANTING IN AUSTRALIA
JULY 2002
Dear Prayer Warriors,
Psalm 78: 35
And
they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.
The
Treasury of David comments on this verse saying A sharp strokes awoke their
sleepy memories. Reflection followed infliction. They were led to see that all
their dependence must be placed upon their God; for he alone had been their
shelter, their foundation, their fountain of supply, and their unchangeable
friend. What could have made them forget this? Was it that their stomachs were
so full of flesh that they had no space for ruminating upon spiritual things?
And the high God their redeemer. They had forgotten this also. The high hand and
outstretched arm which redeemed them out of bondage had both faded from their
mental vision. Alas, poor man, how readily dost thou forget thy God! Shame on
thee, ungrateful worm, to have no sense of favours a few days
after they have been received. Will nothing make thee keep in memory the mercy
of thy God except the utter withdrawal of it?
Is this not like us in so many ways? On whom or what are we depending?
Last
month David received a phone call from Mr. Frank Downie. He and his wife live
out near the airport. Frank is 84 and his wife, Dulcie, is 83. They both know
the Lord and were for years members of the Orana Baptist Church. This is the
smaller of the two Baptist Union churches in Dubbo. Frank said he reads with
interest David's letters to the editor
and wanted to tell him he agreed.
Frank and Dulcie are not able to get out on
their own much due to age and health. We went to visit them and found them to be
a very friendly couple who love the Lord. They have some friends from the Orana
church who go to Queensland each winter and when they come back this spring may
visit Western Plains Baptist Fellowship. Frank said these friends were not happy
with the way the Baptist Union is heading. We will see.
Reg Cavanagh (the man
David recently counseled) came to the service Sunday morning 16 June.
He hadn't come before because he has
been going to Sydney week ends and this was his first week end to stay in Dubbo.
As we said in our last letter Reg is unsaved and has been to the charismatics
and Jehovah Witnesses before. Pray with us for the Lord to do a work of grace in
his heart.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Parents:
1. David's father who
has dementia. He is not getting any better and as we said in the last letter
he misses David's mother terribly. With winter now past there in Iowa he can
now visit her grave more often. He knows the Lord for which we are thankful.
2. Pam's mother who is
87 continues in good health for her age. She does not know the Lord.
Grandchildren:
Taylor, Jeremy,
Robbie, Corrine, William, Abigail and Dana.
Others:
1. Mark for salvation.
2. Nathan for
salvation.
3. Robyn for
salvation.
4. Bob and Elizabeth
for salvation.
5. John for salvation.
6. Reg for salvation.
7. Jonathan and Lynne
for spiritual growth.
8. Jim and Margaret
for spiritual growth.
9. Abel and Phyllis
for spiritual growth.
10.John and Rose for
physical health and spiritual growth. They live at the Jack Towney Hostel in
Gilgandra.
Ourselves:
Pam has pretty much gotten
over the flu. David's back continues to bother him even taking medication. Thank
you for your continued prayers.
In closing we recently
read this and believe it is worth repeating. And when we turn from earth and gaze
upon the glorious prospect that is before us; when we see what rich provision is
made in the gospel for such poor sinners as we are; when we see Jesus at the
right hand of God waiting to receive us home; when we realize that but a very
few steps we have to take and then we are done with time, and a vast eternity
burst upon us with all its solemn and glorious realities; oh, how does the
world, with all its tinsel and toys, its emptiness and nothingness, sink into
the dust beneath our feet! The present world is but.....weariness,
disappointment, and vexation of spirit. Take it in whatever form you may, it
brings its troubles and its sorrows.
Your
Missionaries to Australia,
David and Pam Bennett 
