Hi everybody!

I pray this newsletter finds you well, happy, and safe! I, of course, am staying busy as always. In addition to pastoring our church here on the internet, my duties with Augusta Street Ministries are keeping me very busy. That ministry is growing very fast, and getting a tremendous response here in Augusta. It's a great joy to serve in such a ministry. While I've spoken at several churches about the ministry, and last week spoke at the Augusta Baptist Association luncheon, tomorrow I'm doing something new, and ask that you keep me in your prayers. We're going to be appearing on the local Christian TV station, Channel 36, for two hours, from 8pm to 10pm Eastern. I and many of the street ministry volunteers will be giving our testimonies and sharing other information about the ministry. I've never appeared on television before, and the thought of doing it for 2 hours (live) is a bit unnerving, so do please pray for me. I'll be counting heavily on Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Amen!

It's also a great joy to me to see how busy many of you are in serving Our Savior. As you know, I've been keeping you up to date in the last few newsletters on the progress that Brother Lance has been making with The Teddy Bear Monastery. Well, Lance announced on the bulletin board this past week that the Monastery is finished and ready for visitors. I want to tell you, I think Lance, and his wife Diane, and the two teddy bears, Theodore and Tilly-Bear, have all done a wonderful job on this web site, and it's one of the cutest and most touching sites I've ever seen. The mission of the site is straightforward and simple, to tell the world that "Jesus Loves You!" If you haven't visited the site yet, you can do so by clicking HERE, or on the graphic link at the bottom of this page. I think your heart will really be touched. By the way, let me also say that I think Lance and Diane have been very blessed with the gifts needed to evangelize and spread the gospel with the help of two teddy bears. And it's not always easy, either, because everybody knows that even Christian bears don't always do what you want them to do. Here, in this picture, you see Brother Lance as he's attempting to direct Theodore for a photograph.

Of course, Lance and Diane aren't the only ones who have been busy. Brother Francis has established prayforme@geocities.com. This is a one stop prayer request site. Send them your prayer request, and it will automatically be placed on 10 other internet prayer request boards on the web. Great idea, Brother Francis!

It has also been my pleasure to keep you up to date on the progress of our sister in Christ Purpleplum. I recently received this e-mail from plum's mom, and while I don't usually do this sort of thing, I was moved to share it with you in our newsletter.

Brother Dave, I am Purpleplum's mother, I wrote to you back in April, I think it was. I am writing again to make a request. I don't know if you do this sort of thing or not, but I don't think it will hurt to ask.... After 'plum has the bone marrow transplant on Sept. 9th, she will have to stay in the hospital for at least a month, then when she is released, she and I will have to rent an apartment near the hospital.... Neither she nor myself have the funds for the rent and food and transportation that we will need while there.... Here is what I am asking, can you let the people know that there is an account opened at the State Bank of Concrete P.O.Box 426 Concrete, WA 98237, Account number 7701, for donations, for expenses that her insurance do not cover. Her oldest, younger brother is a perfect match for the transplant, he will make two trips from Calif to Washington state.... Insurance does not cover his flights or his lost wages.... Or any part of his stay here. Also, 'Plum has just had some dental work done that was required before the transplant could be done, this has come to about $3000.00. Her insurance will not cover that.... So, you can see that we need help. Anything that anyone can send will be greatly appreciated, and put to good use.... Thank you for any help you can give us on this matter..... Purpleplum's mom.....

Well, if that doesn't move you, then I think you need to examine your own heart! Let us all remember to keep purpleplum and her family in our prayers.Amen? Amen!

I also wanted to share this graphic with you. It's the prayer for peace of St. Francis of Assisi.

Finally, I would like to announce that the weekly fellowship chat sessions will be reactiviated as of Monday, September 7, and will continue every Monday from 8pm to 10pm Eastern. I've missed our weekly chat session over the past weeks when we weren't having them, and I look forward to sharing fellowship with you all again in our church chat room. See you there!

Well, brothers and sisters, that's going to do it for this edition of the newsletter. Please remember that you remain in my thoughts and prayers at all times, as I trust I remain in yours. God bless you all.

Yours in Christ,
Brother Dave