The Christian Mission VOL 18 NO 8 AUGUST 1974 GERMANY, BELGIUM AND SPAIN

SID AND MARY ALISBURYBAHNWEG, GERMANY

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Heidi and John (front row, L, to R.)Jodi, Mary, Sid and Randy Allsburr(left to ifeht).

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Sunday afternoon in our living room.Single servicemen visisting after lunch. Bible study group at Westerburg.

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Mid-winter Rally group picturestanding in front of the Genk,Belgium church building. Jan.1-3, 1974.

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Note: We try to have two maingatherings for English speakingChristians in Europe. A, TheMid-Winter Rally during the Christmas break and B. The Lugano,Switzerland Retreat and ChristianService camp in summer.

PROJECT GERMANY: Allsburys Cartervills, Mo* 64835Perniit No, 1

P. 0. Box 67Carterville, Missouri 64835

Germany Address:

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/.^ /77Sid h Mary Allsbury j y ^637 Oberursel 6 /'r ^Bahnwag 12Garmany jQT ?. 1

October, 1974

Dear Ones in the Lord,

Today is such a good day to write to you all. Lots of things have been happening or areabout to happen, but today X have a break in things over here, somewhat, and that givesme a chance to write to you all. How I would like to do more personal letter writing,but'that would mean less of something here. I'm glad that you are so understanding ofthis form of communication. The longer that we are over here the more opportunities wehc\,'a"'to write to people on this side of the world. That, of course, gives us an opport-un'ty to say things about Christ and His Way^to people that don't too often stop to hear

him. Some of you dear ones who read our newsletter don't take any other time in;r'; month for things of spiritual importance, so this is the only time you are reminded

this flesh and this planet are going to pass away so very soon. Therefore, if thisTi-.Cect is special'for you then you can see how the letters we produce here are, perhaps,'7 •d to some of the soldiers, sailors and airmen who get the same reminder that I just

:• ..tioned. We put out two editions of news and Christian reminders from the Frankfurt",•*/ -tian Church in September. These are mailed by Guy Mayfield to 250-275 names and

. - jL-es in the U.S. military in Europe (including some 30 names on ships in the U.S. 6thi cat). There is an every growing list of civilian names we mail to, about 60-75 atpresent.

_.3o!ne of yw are aware_.Qf ,the prayer requests _that had been made for Wes Beasley, Wes^ahd his wife Alta, have been in Germany only less than a year. They sought right awayhow they could be of some use to God while in Germany. They were the couple responsiblefor getting the Bible study in Worms going eariler this year. We've discontinued it because of the rotation of students back to the U.S. Earily in September Alta called us and•.old us that she was in the Hospital in Landstuhl where Wes had just had surgery and theoctor told her he had a tumor on his spine. That was like ringing a loud alarm bell,

//hat next? They said he would be paralyzed from Che chest down. The threat of cancerwas certainly there as he was to be flown to Washington D.C. as quickly as possible forcobalt treatments. We spent the night at the hospital Qdary & X, the children stayed withGuy and Thelma Mayfield) and returned the following afternoon via a Bible study at Heil-bronn. We pushed the "prayer-request button" right away in an effort to call God's merci-fv-l help into play. In the mean time Wes and Alta were fine examples of God's Peace.Thank God for thati Three days later, one day 1>efore the trip to the U.S., the lab reportcame back reporting that the tumor was only a cyst. We all thanked God for His answer toprayer. The Beasleys, with two sweet little boys, left the following day. Before theyleft, however, several officers from Wes' company and many of the fellows ho worked withcame to the hospital (an hour's drive for them) to say good by. They really respected Wesas 3 Christian. I believe God will raise Wes up to again serve Him in the U, S. Armay.What an opportunity for service! The latest reports coming to us from Walter Reed Hospitalare that the doctors keep changing their thoughts about Wes, each time predicting a brighterfuture. He may even be re-instated in the Army, I'd like to see hint here because wo certainly needed Christians in the armed forces. Thank you so much for your prayers! I guessX should say too that your offerings to this work allowed us to be at Wes' bed side everyday and also to be with his wife. I had an unusually good talk with a buddy of Wes' thathad just the week before decided to hive his heart to Christ. He was thankful to Was forh:s er.ample. We are still in contact and know this will be another victory for Christ.

Sunday, September 29, was an especially exciting day for us here. We invited the Germanfolks from the meeting I have mentioned in other newsletters, to be with us on Sunday. Wediscussed God's love on Sunday morning and enjoyed lunch together in our home. At 2:30 wecontinued with an hour in discussion of God's Peace. We were over flowing at the meetinghouse. I counted 39. That sounds funny, doesn't it? Normally, we've been running about25 and we have about 30 chairs. Change those numbers into percent figures and you can seevvhy we tjare happy. Mary did beautifully on keeping the dinner on a smooth basis. X wouldcompliment her in a big way if she weren't my wife! The German neighbors that we'vespoken to several times about spiritual matters came and seemed to like what was being said.'n sure we'll be hearing more from them. She asked ira where she could buy a modern speechtranslation of the German Bible. She read some from mine in our car one day and likedunderstanding the Bible. Let's join in prayer for our neibhbors that they can know God'swonderful peace, too!

PRoJeCT GERMANY NEWSLETTER Page Two

October 20 will be a special day for us here. I've asked several of the young men to start*preparing to lead the lesson that day. The topic will be the Sermon on the Mount, as I'vebeen going through the Life of Christ each Sunday. I believe the most important thing Ican do is try to help these young men (both German and Araerican) to be better leaders. IfI don't get to preach for a year (I'd die) while I'm helping others advance in service forGod I'll consider that a wonderful opportunity. Several of these fellows are willing tostop forward and servo the Master, Why not? Along with such emphasis we arc starting aSunday afternoon Bible study on the shorter epistles of Paul. This will be part of theEuropean Christian Institute which Guy Mayfield has been working on» About four peoplehave'said they would like to take part. This will be on a Bible college level (As best asI can do such an effort) and will give these students a chance to improve their Bible abilities and to gain possible Bible college credits while in the Military.

I'm going to conclude with the news matters as I have some mattera of business on my heart.If our financial matters bore you then you can feel free'to cut acfoss the pasture andmeet us at the closing. We love you anyway.

In January of this year we purchased a used car which we have cettainly used. We'd use itmore if gasoline were cheaper. X borrowed $1000 at that time for half of the car cost. , Ithought I could do that and pay back the loan at $100 per month, based on the rate of ourincorae up to that time. We haven't been able to do it. We've only been able to pay 2 or300 dollars on it, as best I understand. I'd like to get that paid before I wear the carout. That's the first thing on my mind. Another possibility is a month visit to the U.S.next year. We arc certain that the wisest use of our time and your money is for us to

^b-j^avoid furloughs of a year in length. The expenses of relocating in the U.S. for one year, jfy coupled with the strain of changing schools and leaving a work here make such plans less j' than desirable for us. Don't you agree? Since the children are out of school for almost •

a month at Easter time next year we'd like to plan a month in S-W Missouri for that time, •That will cost some money for the trip. I thank God that the main airlines have justlowered round-trip flights between Europe and the U.S. for the winter months, ending Inarch31,'75. Up to 30% and more can be saved, thanks to the change. That's quite a change inthings as everything^else is going up. Therefore, we are making plans ta.rGturn as men-*"ion3d. The only condition I must impose upon us is that the car is paid for first. Firstthings first. We'll also need to have the plane fare two months before the flight. Allof which is to say, with the car first, we'll have to have $2175 for the flight borne plus

• ..some 7 or 800 dollars by January 10, '75. That seems like a big "mountain" to move, but" ns' Jiony Ross and many others will remember, we, with God's leading, moved a much bigger

mountain x^hen we came here in the first place. We are setting our selves to this plan andtrusting God however He sees fit to lead. " ^ -

We are asking l.'onna and Nelda at Carterville Christian to set up a special fund for the.car and trip home. That x^ill help us to handle special gifts tox^-ard either or both ofthese funds. We want to consider a gift for the Trip home to 'oe usable also for the carfund and ask your understanding in that matter. It is actually one big project.

I'll close with a prayer of thanks that we can come to you all with such needs. I wouldnot speak so with just everybody but we feel that most of you are part of the "family ,-We never forget you who keep our regular support up and thank God (and you) for your faithin us and God's program.

Our Love in the Lord,

i Sid, Mary, Jodii Randy , Heidi & John " " " ^Allsbury