Brewer Prayer Letter March 2003

Dear Prayer & Support Partners:

Greetings once again from the Brewers. It has been a few weeks since we've written, so it is definitely time for us to get out another update. Things have continued to be extremely busy, but we are rejoicing in the good meetings that the Lord has given us since our return from the field, and the opportunity to serve Him in these various ways.

We enjoyed an excellent Missions Conference with the dear folks at Calvary Baptist Church in Mesa, AZ. We've had other good meetings in Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. We head out in a few days for more meetings in Utah and Colorado, then on May 1, back to the field. Our schedule on the field will be hectic indeed. We arrive in Bucharest, Romania, on May 2. We'll be there at the work in Fetesti, Lord willing, with Bro. Iosif and his folks. From there, over to Moldova for classes and various other responsibilities. Then by train on up to Kyiv for our classes there, and meetings in several of our churches. From Kyiv on over to Moscow and the classes and churches in that area, and then flying up to Magadan to be with Pastor Tim Smith, and our national Bro. Stas. We are going to be teaching some classes there as well, as Bro. Tim  has a vision to begin an extension school from Moscow for students all the way up there. Moscow to Magadan is 3 days on the train. That is how students would travel to come to classes in Moscow. It is 6-8 hours by plane, so it may be that we will organize more classes up there to keep the students from having to come so far. Pray with us about that. Also, I'll be doing a series on Biblical Evidences for the folks up in Magadan to help continue the grounding work there. From there, Lord willing, we'll be flying to Alaska where I have some meetings scheduled, and then finally, back to AZ, for a couple of days, before hitting the road for summer meetings in Minnesota and Wisconsin. So, you can see that there is never a dull moment in this ministry!

Several specific prayer needs are pressing upon us. Please pray for us regarding the following: 1.    My Russian visa is due, and is now in the process. Pray that it will be granted, as they are refusing many visas now.  2.    Because of the war with Iraq, there are many dangers with Americans traveling abroad. We have several groups coming over this summer, as well as pastors and professors from America. Please pray for the safety of all who travel during this perilous days. 3.    We have a need for a set of hand bells for our main church in Kyiv. I realize that this is an unusual request for missionary work, but it is very legitimate. The people in that part of the world love music, and our Puhova church in Kyiv has an outstanding, and godly, music program. They have a wonderful choir, and we use them in many of the other ministries around the Ukraine, and in Russia. A set of hand bells would add an extra dimension to their musical ministry. We would be able to do street concerts, as well as concerts in the various churches and other venues, and we're convinced that the Lord would use this in a tremendous way to bring many under the sound of the Gospel. A set of hand bells is very expensive (about $1500). We would be more than grateful to have a good used set, or if the Lord should lay it upon the hearts of some to give financially, we could purchase a set to take over. If anyone knows where we can get a good set, or if anyone has a set to donate, or would like to give money toward a set, please let us know. 4.    The plans for the marriage of our son, Andrew, and the Pastor's daughter from Moldova, Aliona, are moving rapidly ahead. September 28 is the date that has been set. Please pray for us as we finalize the arrangements. Pray for Andrew and Aliona as they prepare to enter a like together. Moldova is under communist control. Again, with the war, the restrictions on immigration to the US have increased. Please pray that the Lord will prepare the way and that all the necessary paper work can be completed, that the wedding will be accomplished, and that we can bring Aliona back here to America with minimal problems. 5.    Pray for the various church ministries in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Romania, with which we are involved. As is always the case, the Devil is working hard to defeat the cause of Christ. There are always problems arising. Pray for great wisdom in handling these problems for us, as well as our national pastors and leadership.

Things are well in our family. The excitement about Andrew's impending wedding is increasing. Our oldest son Ron, and his wife, Amy, are expecting a child in mid-August. This will be a second grandchild for us, so we are really excited about that. Please pray for the health of Amy and the baby. That it will be an easy pregnancy, and that there will be a safe delivery. Kathie and I are both well. Just getting older each day. We have ongoing health concerns, but nothing that is too serious at the moment.

We love you folks and so appreciate your involvement with us in this ministry. You are all very special to us, and we pray that God will continue to richly bless your lives as your honor Him.

Again, brethren, pray for us. We are working in difficult days, but our God is still on the throne and is still drawing souls to Himself in Eastern Europe. We are just so privileged to be part of the ministry in that part of the world.

Thank you, again, for all that you do.

In His Matchless Love and Grace,

Doc & Kathie Brewer

 PS: Just so you are aware of the changing times in Eastern Europe, let me share this with you. The Hydens, BWM missionaries to Blagoveschensk, Russia, report that several weeks ago their services were interrupted, on two successive Sundays, by local authorities.  After a meeting with the officials, the Hydens were told that they could no longer hold services in their home and that Dan could not preach.  Dan agreed to these stipulations. On March 4 the Hydens received another visit, their passports were taken, and they were summoned to a meeting in the morning. They secured a lawyer, and met with the lawyer,  their tutor, the national pastor from the church in Blagoveschensk where Jake and Donna Turnbow minister, and the local officials.  All we know at this time is that they have been told that there will be a lawsuit. This is very serious, but God is still in control.   On March 5 the Haydens said: Thank you for praying for us!  Our situation here continues to be unsettled, but the question of whether or not we will be allowed to stay in Russia should be decided within a week.  Yesterday three officials came into our home and took our passports.  They told us to come this morning to their offices in the city to retrieve them.  We went at the appointed time but our documents were not returned to us.  Instead we were told that the officials would be keeping our passports for a week and we were given another appointment for a week from today, on March 12th.  On that day the government's decision should be revealed to us.  All seems to be out of our hands.  We have been told that we have no rights in this matter and cannot have legal representation even if we want it.  What we do know is that the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord.  While we do not know what the outcome of our next meeting will be, we are certain that God works all things together for good to them that love Him.  God is good ...all the time! Please pray for us during these days, that we will walk closely with the Lord and glorify Him in our lives.  Pray, too, not just for a favorable decision from the officials, but also for their salvation.