Hi Bradford Church

We just wanted to say a huge thank you for the investment. We just received it in our PAOC account. As always it came at a very timely moment in our lives. We are looking to end 2008 in the black this year which would be a first. We realize that North America is suffering through economic crisis and uncertainty and we are so pleased that you have still found it within your ability and faith to sow into mission. Thank you for being governed by faith and not fear.

Life is hectic again. The church plant is still meeting in a temporary place. It's an old conference without any heating (so we had to borrow a big propane powered industrial heater!) and dirty old carpets. WE are full of faith though that Jesus has us where he wants us. We are doing a massive outreach this weekend, distributing close to 2000 parcels of food to the surrounding neighbours, many of which are gypsy families. Please pray for us this weekend that this outreach will open many doors to us and that the church would grow in influence during this time.

We still have about 50-60 meeting on a Sunday but we are not content with that number. We want to see more and more young adults and families come to know Christ. Everyday when I walk home from dropping Mia off at school I'm interceding for our neighbourhood. Sometimes I don't even know how we will reach the thousands of people around us so I rely on the Holy Spirit to give me words. Please pray that God gives us revelation and inspiration as to how to reach our neighbours.

We have been involved in a women's conference here in Slovakia for 120 women from all over Slovakia, Czech, Poland, Ukraine and Romania. It was a great event that was challenging for the women leaders as well as encouraging them in their places of ministry. We had a team of American women come over and serve at the conference as well as do practical workshops. One of the highlights for Anna was meeting Patricia Green, a woman who is involved in ministering to women caught in the sex trade and those trapped in human trafficking. This is an issue that is starting to be exposed in Europe and it is a terrible situation. Women and children are being sold into slavery throughout Europe, many of them trapped in the sex industry. Anna has been feeling a burden for this area of ministry more and more lately and Patricia was able to give her some good advice and contacts to follow up on.

I'm off to Bulgaria in 2 weeks for our first ever youth leaders training conference. We are expecting about 80 youth leaders from all over the country to come for a week of intensive training and encouragement. It is always a privilege to be investing in the next generation of leaders in a nation. Any revival, any move of God is going to happen through nationals and those in the next generation....so it is our responsibility and privilege to empower them and help them grow in their God-given destiny.

Well, that's it for now...I was hoping just to write a short thank you but got carried away a bit! We are grateful to be connected to you and hope to hear from you soon.

Cheers!

Sheldon Armitage