Missionaries - Paul & Georgia Drake
December 2008
Dearly Beloved,
The new President has been elected and will be installed next month. You have been elected, given a job description and installed as Ambassador of the Kingdom of God. Glory! You can review your responsibilities and position in 2 Corinthians 5:17-20.
This has been a great year with no serious illnesses for these two octogenarians and with blessings as God's children who are daily seeking His will. Paul led the Marine Corps Recruit ministry for seven months while Gene Smith was on sabbatical. We saw weekly first-time decisions and a multitude of Christians built up in the faith. Gerogia continues mentoring some women and leading two in a study. Both of us have seen those we are mentoring lead others to Christ and help some of them lead others. PTL!
Wesley and Johnena took a sabbatical, and God led them to continue their ministry and increase their responsibilities with The Navigators. Great news... Johnena and husband Joe are expecting a child next year. Joshua graduated from college and is leading the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Dartmouth, New Hampshire. What grace. Daniel will attend college in Missouri in January.
Jason and Holly continue to lead studies as he works for Samaritans Purse in Boone, North Carolina. Brian is a skydiver and recently joined with 70 others in setting a world record formation, jumping in California. Jordan hosts his own Radio Talk Show in North Carolina. Jonathan and wife Sara live in Decatur, Illinois where he attends college while Justin lives at home and is in high school.
Kirby and Karol live in Orange County, California where he is a high school teacher and is the faculty sponsor of the Christian Club where student receive Christ and grow in the Lord annually. Daughter Chelsea graduated from high school this year and is attending the University of California. Jeremy graduated from college and is working on a CPA while working for the County of Los Angeles.
Marshall and Kelly moved back to California where he is a Worship Pastor in Placentia. We are overjoyed to have them back. Lauren graduated from college, is living at home and works for Apple computers. Michael is pursuing a worship degree at Biola, while Jonathan attends Bucknell College in Pennsylvania. He is a sophomore and leads the InterVarsity ministry. More grace!
We are a blessed family. Why? Because in the fullness of time, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law. Hallelujiah, we are all redeemed and seeking to live it. This inspires us to say, "I love You, Lord, and I life my voice to worship You." And that is what the Father is seeking (John 4:23-24).
I had a very unexpected, humbling and awesome experience the last six months when three difference families ask me to do the eulogy for their departed loved one. Harvey Oslund was the first Navigator we met in 1960 who had a significant influence on my life. We developed a deep and wonderful relationship over the years. As I prayed for words to describe him, God made it clear that Harv was a man after God's heart and who had influenced a multitude of people for Christ.
Sophie succumbed to lung problems at 75. I told the story of Nicodemus from John 3 and how we knew she was in heaven because Georgia was with her when she was born again.
Mel Duke was a pure and simple man of faith, like those in Hebrew 11. He resigned a commission in the Air Force to live by faith as a missionary with The Navigators for 40 years, with about half of it being in Asia and Europe. Mel returned home from establishing a disciple-making ministry in Estonia when the Lord took him at 75. God says of those who have lived by faith that the world was not worthy of them (Hebrews 11:38). Glory to His Name!
We oray that your Christmas will be filled with an awareness of His presence and great love and that the New Year will see you growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Special thanks to those who prayed and gave to support this ministry of knowing Christ and making Him known.
With eternal love and appreciation,
Paul and Georgia Drake
"Brethren Pray for Us"
Praise God for giving us the strength and ability to serve Him another year. We count it all joy to serve Jesus. Acts 20:24
Georgia requests prayer that she would live her life according to God's created purpose for her. Psalm 92:12-15.
Give glory to God for the laborers He raised up and the fruit He produced this year at the marine Corps Recruit Depot. John 15:5.
Thank God for selling Marshal and Kelly's house in Maryland and for His guidance in finding a house in Orange County, California. Psalm 32:8.
Pray for His anointing on a Prayer Summit in central Texas January 9-11 with Lauris and Rhonda Shepherd. John 16:13.
Ask God to use us as we participate in a Missions Conference here in San Diego January 19-22. Hebrews 9:14.
Pray 2 Corinthians 2:15-17 for Paul as he shares and interacts at a men's conference in Texas February 19-22.
Claim 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 for us as we speak and teach at a conference in Florida with Joe and Johnena March 6-8.
Petition God for us all to walk with Jesus in a way that is fulfilling to us, blesses others and brings glory to the Father. Isaiah 43:7.
ALL HAIL KING JESUS!
