Pray BFF Letter #261
June 20, 2015
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Time Passes So Quickly
“So teach us to number our days,
that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
Dear Prayer Partners,
Several special occasions have recently reminded me that we need to make most of our time. Here are three:
50th
#1 Pittsburgh Chinese Church’s 50th anniversary
Today our family joined in the celebration of God’s work at this church where we served from 1991-2000. That means that I started pastoring there almost 25 years ago. What a great opportunity to merge my church planting skills with pastoral ministry! What a privilege to work closely with faithful men and women of God!
20th
#2 Pittsburgh Chinese Church Oakland’s 20th anniversary
This daughter church was planted in 1995. I can remember so clearly the joy of working together with five families that pledged themselves to its beginning. The church has since grown into two congregations. We attend one of them, the Oakland International Fellowship (OIF), although I occasionally help out with special ministry in the Chinese congregation like Parenting Class. Linda coordinates the elementary Sunday School ministry for both congregations.
10th
#3 My ten-year Indian visa expiration
I have been going to India for more than ten years now! I can hardly believe it. In some ways, it seems so long but really ten years has passed in a flash. I have so many wonderful (though anxious at times) memories of how God has supplied for these trips. Many times funding comes in only 1 week before departure. July’s trip will be the same as no support has come in yet, but as always, we have seen God’s faithful supply. Here is a short video of early India times!
Do pray for my upcoming trip July 5th-17th (in only two weeks). I am excited about getting our first book, The Life Core, translated into Hindi. I will be teaching north of Delhi, and it will be a packed trip with five plus hours of classes each day. At the foot of the Himalayas, the temperatures should be cooler than the record highs that India has been experiencing. I still have a significant amount of preparation to do. My thoughts go back to those early trips when my teaching resources were so scanty. Now, I can list more than ten training courses we offer.
Praise!
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I thank the Lord for His faithful working through my life and ministry through these years.
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Kathryn has graduated from high school. We just love her spirit around home and church and will miss her as she goes off to Judson University to study interior design in August.
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Linda’s heart checkup went with flying colors. The doctor said her heart has resumed its normal size and all is well. Meanwhile, we did not have to pay anything for her care. Praise and thanks to God for providing through the hospital.
Join Paul on Twitter! @PaulJBucknell
Pray!
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May I have a ‘heart of wisdom’ to continue to lead BFF.
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After preaching July 5th in the morning, I will leave for India in the afternoon.
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Final preparations for India (lots to do!).
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Continued watch over our family and ministry: before, during and after the India trip.
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Provision for this trip (total needed is about $3,000).
As always, thanks so much for your prayers!
Paul
Rev. Paul J. Bucknell, President and Instructor
Biblical Foundations for Freedom
____________________________
Email: pb@foundationsforfreedom.net
Phone/text: (+1) 412-398-4559
(Mobile)
3276 Bainton St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 USA
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