Dear Friends,

Did you know it is written of George Mueller that as a divinity student, he fell into the common error of reading books about the Bible, but not reading the Bible itself? "I practically preferred for the first four years of my divine life the works of uninspired men,” he confessed. "The consequence was that I remained a babe both in knowledge and grace.” We are often asked about what kind of follow-up we do with a street ministry such as we have here. Our follow-up procedure is simple -we have as much contact with any convert as possible and get them reading the Bible consecutively for at least an hour a day. George Mueller was right. New converts grow rapidly in both knowledge and grace when they spend time in God’s Word. It's been a privilege to see that recently in several lives.

DAMIEN was a US Marine for 15 years. He fought in Vietnam, serving 2 1/2 terms. He sewed in several other countries around the world, including Lebanon. A series of events brought him to living here in London. Damien was a man tormented by the past. He committed terrible crimes in Vietnam. His first wife was killed and he has been divorced twice since. About a year ago he came to London and heard me preach in Leicester Square. He was living in Holland at the time, operating a bar (a den of iniquity). Several weeks ago Damien was again at Leicester Square. He approached me and said,

"Preacher, I've come here to talk to you. I’ve done a lot of bad things and I am having the same nightmare over and over. I viciously killed a 12 year old girl in Vietnam, right in front of her father. I hate what I did, can I be forgiven?”

That night we prayed and since then he has read the New Testament twice in two weeks. He is selling his bar in Holland. Praise God for His power.

DAVID is an entertainer, a street entertainer. He works at Covent Garden and other areas of London amazing the crowds with his juggling and other skills. I have seen him in the crowd when I preached and he has defended me openly before when I was challenged by mockers. One night he approached me at Leicester Square. “Dirk, I’ve had a nervous breakdown, can you help me?” As we prayed. tears ran down his face and he asked Christ to forgive him of his sin and come into his heart. He later told me with excitement, “Dirk, the next show I did after praying, I didn’t cuss one time!” Praise God! David is reading the Bible daily and asking many good questions. God is healing his mind. He is now trying to wean himself from the tranquilizers prescribed by the doctors here. God is able. Please pray for David. He has many friends who need Christ.

AN AMERICAN INDIAN came up to me with David one day. As David introduced me to him, this longhaired, red-skinned man, I thought, “Where do I know him from?" David had told him how he was helped when we prayed and shared with him about God. “I know you from somewhere,” I said, "I never forget a face.” He humbly said, "I have interrupted you before and almost turned the crowd against you, I am that Indian!" "I was a drunk and have sobered up, but I need a change.” Pray he will come to the Center. What a blessing it would be if he got saved. Then we could have cowboys and Indians preaching together in London!

IT WAS ONE OF THOSE GOOD NIGHTS. You could sense the words of the Gospel were impacting the minds of the people. The crowd swelled to at least 100 souls. Then it happened again. Two policemen came up and said, "Stop and leave.” "Give me five minutes to give a call and send them away," I responded. "No, get down now." “Give me four minutes to wind down," I asked. The policeman stood firm, "Get down now or I’ll arrest you.” I stood firm and began to get impatient, "Arrest me or be quiet, don’t interrupt me again." He didn't take that too well and grabbed me and arrested me. I tried to warn him, “You have made a mistake, officer, you can t stop the Gospel and now for three blocks you are going to hear it!” It was three blocks to the Police Station and hear the Gospel he did. At one point I thought he was going to get saved.

At the station two undercover cops came up and said, "Hey preacher, my soul has not changed.” "Keep listening," I said, "It's going to happen.” I happened to have Abigail's toy telephone with me that night. I pulled it out of my pocket and made it ring. Then I carried on a conversation with God. "Lord, you love these lawmen and I will tell them.” To my surprise, the officer who arrested me said, “Talk to God for me.” "What's you name?” I asked. "Mark,” he replied. I got on my knees and prayed a bold and emotional -prayer for him. You, could have heard a pin drop in that place. Then the sergeant called me over and said, "Preacher, you have gone to court before.” “Yes, sir,” I answered, "and the judge sides with me every time.” Mark, the officer, came over to frisk me but the sergeant stopped him. “No need," he said, “I am letting him go, he has done nothing wrong.” "Kind sir,” I said, "May I ask your name?" “Paul,” he told me. “Yes, I’ve read about you in the Bible.” He laughed and we said good-bye! Praise God for His favor.

Without all of you who are standing with us with your prayers, friendship, love and support, we could not be here. God’s Word is going forth in the city of London and it is having an impact. Thank you all so very much for making this possible!

Elizabeth, Abigail and I will be leaving here on April 3rd for about seven weeks of traveling in the US. We’ll start in Texas, then Georgia, then South Carolina, then Florida, then Louisiana, then Mississippi, then Illinois, then Virginia, then Maryland, then Pennsylvania, then North Carolina. If you would like more information on where we will be, please contact us through e-mail or you can contact GME. Bob and Cozette Thomas (ASEA’s US Directors) will be coming here to hold down the fort while we are gone. They have a full schedule of visitors coming through to help work on the building and minister. Please keep them and us in your prayers. Our family is very much looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible.

With love and appreciation,

The Wood Family