Civale Family
Prayer Letter
~ November 7, 2009 ~
Dear Praying Friends,
We thank God that prayers are not hindered by distance. Just as the nobleman’s prayer was requested in Cana and answered instantly in Capernaum (John 4:46-54), so the answers to your prayers for us have traveled faster than the airplanes and ferry that have brought us safely to Asau, Savaii, Samoa(village, island, country).
Last month we finished our short furlough, reporting to churches in Canada, Ohio, and New Jersey. Eleven relatives attended one of the churches in New Jersey where I preached and one of my cousins received Christ as Savior. We continue to pray daily for the salvation of some of the others who attended.
On October 20th we left the U.S. for the Samoan Islands. We visited the “first church” (as we now call it) for five days in American Samoa and rejoiced to see the continued growththere under the leadership of Pastor Scot Daku and his dear wife. We then spent six days in Letava, Upolu, Samoa, with Pastor Pene and Mrs. Robyn Faafouina, who have started Lighthouse Baptist Church in their home. While there we preached at the Wednesday evening, Saturday morning, and both Sunday services. Praise God for two men (Pauga and Opetaia) who came forward and received Christ as Savior Sunday morning (see thempictured below). While in Upolu, we also purchased a 2004 Toyota Camry with only 23,000 miles on it. It runs and looks great! Thank you to all who gave toward this need.
On November 2nd we arrived in Asau. Since then we have been consumed with unpacking and organizing. There is still so much to do before we can imagine feeling settled. Next week we will be painting, tiling, and constructing bookshelves and benches. Please especially pray for a speedy water connection. We’re told that it will take months.
Thank you to all who gave toward the Samoa tsunami relief funds. We received over $3,000. We will report in detail in next month’s prayer letter. So far we have dedicated funds for three purposes –to purchase and deliver food to families whose homes and plantations were destroyed;to pay the Christian School tuition costs for several students who lost their parents and homes; and to start an emergency broadcast and Christian radio station on Savaii. We have learned that many of the deaths from the September tsunami would have been avoided if the people had simply been warned. A church in New Jersey is providing an FM radio transmitter, antenna, computer, and 250 self-generating AM/FM radios for this cause. We will be submitting a letter for authorization to the Samoa governmentshortly and have been told that our application will be readily accepted.
Our main prayer requests remain the same – for Asau to allow us to start a church, for our faithfulness in Savaii, and for the twins’ good success in college (note: their 18thbirthday is November 20th and their address is below).
Sincerely His and yours,
Jim Civale