September Prayer Letter!

Olson’s Opportunities - Sept. 2010

Greetings once again to all our dear friends, Celebrating 20 years in His service! Can you believe it? We praise the Lord for His faithfulness to us, and we humbly thank you for your part in our family and ministry, by prayer and giving.

It started with people like you praying. Then came our short-term trips to Mexico, our year in Dallas when Carl studied at Dallas Bible College, more trips to Mexico, culminating in Sept. of 1990 when we moved to the border to serve with Tecate Mission! God met us, directed us, stretched us, and provided for us all along this faith journey. It is like the old hymn says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

Pointing people to Christ! It has been six years now that God has opened doors and given us the privilege of leading Spanish Bible studies and doing pastoral visits in Wisconsin prisons. Through new experiences and friendships, our lives have been so enriched. One prisoner even composed and sang a song about our time in the prisons. It is all because of the Lord and the difference He’s made in our lives as He’s transforming us in order to reach others.

This week an inmate wrote,” My dear friends and brothers, I give you thanks sincerely for your help to all of us that are here in the prisons. Thank you because many of us have found God with your help.”

Another, recently released wrote, “ I would like to start by thanking you for coming to visit me. It was a blessing. I am finally home now and everything is going good. I started my new job today and although it’s low paying and an hour drive, I know God has a plan for me.”

Believing in the power of prayer! Inmates ask for your help in prayer for their needs—

*For hope and strength to withstand constant negative pressures of the prison atmosphere.
*To feel God’s love personally, grow in the Word and learn their identity in Christ.
*To see God at work in the area of building healthy relationships.
*For God’s will in their court cases, like keeping custody of their children. (M., A., M., I., & B.)
*To develop a “support net” before their return to society, including a mentor & church.

We, too, appreciate prayer, for balance and wisdom in decisions, safety in travel, and to network with others who can share in ministry responsibilities. The Lighthouse is using this time while no ladies are present, to reevaluate changes needed and recruit church and community involvement as Board members, volunteers, & mentors. Training is provided. Interested? Contact us!

Receiving God’s encouragement! Hebrews 12:2 says “…who for the JOY that was set before Him endured the cross…” What was the joy? You were His joy—it was you and me that He thought of as He hung there, so that we could be FREE FROM SIN--whether in prison or out of prison!

Carl & Kathy Olson, www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=559967875

Serving with Tecate Mission Int’l, P.O.Box 1000, Tecate CA 91980, 619-468-3355, www.tecatemission.org