Updates from SLC trip

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I sincerely thank each of you for your heart felt prayers regarding my trip. I felt your prayers as I navigated plane delays and even a little choppy weather landing in Salt Lake. But God was in control. I felt His peace through your prayers.

I did not have opportunity to share Christ on the plane as I had hoped. The people who sat beside me were either sleeping or plugged into their electronic world. I did use the plane delays to listen to the New Testament. So bless God for portable digital Bibles. Made the time in the plane go by richly.

God blessed the trip with safe journey mercies. I met my friend Dean at the airport. This brother has a a very generous heart picking up my hotel bill for a week. And taking me out to a buffet last night. I pray Gods richest blessing on this brother.

Got much needed rest last night. Spending the morning and afternoon around Calvary Chapel in preparation for VOM conference tomorrow.

Please do keep this conference in your prayers that God will fulfill His purposes to those who attend.

Lord willing, try to post you an update about VOM conference tomorrow.

In His Love and Mercy,

Brother Blaine

VOM conference starts tomorrow 8am Mountain time.

Blaine

Yesterday I attended the VOM conference held at Calvary Chaoel. Previously I have attended two other such conferences. But it us always good to hear the reports from the front lines Also to hear the testimonies of those saints who have undergone persecution.

A brother shared with me that one hour spent in the presence of someone who has gone through persecution will expose the shallowness of our American Christianity. I certainly felt that yesterday. But also was encouraged to see how these saints overcome in the midst of their tribulations. If the same God can help the persecuted can He not help us to overcome our trials. This was one lesson the Holy Spirit applied to my heart from the conference.

All thru out the presentations were the plea to pray for the persecuted. This confirmed that Persecution Watch must continue it`s ministry. There are times I wonder if our call has served its purpose. That perhaps it is time to pass the torch on to someone else. But with persecution on the rise so our prayers must arise.

I had opportunity to speak with a Chinese sister who had been imprisoned twice. Each time for a period of 3 years. The sister was tortured brutally. Yet to look at her beautiful countenance you would not know she had gone through such intense persecution.

I asked the sister what sustained her in her persecution and imprisonment. Her answer was experiencing the true presence of Jesus Himself. Not Bible verses. But He, the Living Word Himself sustained this sister on her trials.

Today Dean, my host and I attended a Mennonite church in Orim, south of Salt Lake. The presence of a Mennonite church in Utah is very unusual. But then welcome in a state with a 3 percent evangelical presence. Our time with these brothers and sisters e as encouraging.

I thank each and everyone of you for your prayers. Believe God has been directing every step of my way.

Lord willing will p.o.as t tomorrow.

My love to you all.

Blaine