Missionaries - Gary & Kathy Opfer
September 2008
Dear Prayer Partners and Friends,
The summer is quickly coming to an end and so is our last week of English preparations. We had high hopes of completing many more weeks of instruction but the start up demands and challenges were well beyond our expectations. We are going with only five weeks of teachings. When we return the first of October we'll be "back in the saddle again" producing as many English 2 teaching sessions as possible. But, for now, the paraprofessionals and students can at least get started on schedule. PTL! BTW, the class sessions have come out in an excellent fashion and the DVD's, coupled with the English textbooks, we believe, will definitely accomplish their intended purposes. Thank you for your PRAYERS.
We still don't have confirmation about the two other new English schools. We will go prepared. Please continue to PRAY for this that if God is in it, they will start this September.
Since our last PPB, some have contacted us about the start up costs for a new English School. To run a School of English for the first year, the cost in Kosova is $5800. This includes a salary for the paraprofessional, desks/tables, chairs, a large TV, DVD player, generator, wood for heating, and a locking classroom cabinet the classes meet in the local church facility so we do not pay rent or other utilities.
If you or contacts you know of would be interested in funding a first year
School of English, please email us. We will provide the details.
We leave early Monday morning, Labor Day (September 1), from Denver and arrive in Kosova the following day. Please PRAY for safety in travel; that we will make all of our flight connections; there will be no delays (unless Divinely appointed); all of our luggage will arrive intact, without being searched (always a mess), nothing will be lost, damaged, or stolen; and our flights will be uneventful.
We go over, not only with the English materials, but also with teachings from the Word for church services, children's' program, and Bible classes. Please PRAY that we will be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and speak only what our Father wants. PRAY for souls to be saved, lives to be changed, and open and receptive hearts to receive the Word of God.
We tentatively plan to install Gj officially as pastor over the church during this visit. It's been over two years now that he has assumed the leadership responsibilities for the church and from every indication he has proven to be a faithful shepherd. We will confirm this with others and then, Lord willing, begin the installation process. Please PRAY for this.
Our plans for Croatia are still tentative. Please PRAY for God's leading in this process. Our friends initially welcomed us to come, to teach, and to bring the children's' materials. We trust this is still the case but again, need confirmation and sufficient finances to make the trip.
Ryan will write soon about his mission's trip to China. Kathy and I had the privilege to see his pictures and get a first hand report. It was just amazing what God did...shutting the eyes of the Chinese officials and giving them unprecedented access to minister God's Word. PTL!
Thank you for your PRAYERS as we go.
In Christ's bond of love,
Gary and Kathy
