At times I think London is difficult, but it isn't really. People are being saved. One can see the fruit of his labors. Although it may not be very often! I read something in an old worn out book I bought the other day. It had no date, but it encouraged me. "The mission field would today be a wilderness of failure if the first missionaries had not been content to go on, year after year, with no visible results." Their business was to carry out Christ's command and they did. China is one good example. The stories of the early missionaries there is a story of apparently wasted effort.But, if you took at China today, it can easily be seen that the fruit of today is the result of the toil and apparent defeat of yesterday. The Bible states in actual fact that the Word will not return VOID. We must keep sowing. It is alive!

We have sowed this precious seed all over London. God's Word is His voice, His light and so we are lighting up this darkened city. The other day a store owner approached and asked me how the church work was coming along. He is not a Christian, not yet anyway, but God... I said God. . . has given us favor with him. We were outside his business and crowds were everywhere. I told him that the work was going well and then went to leave. "Wait," he said, "Aren't you going to give a message?" For three minutes I gave the essence of the Gospel and to my surprise he yelled, "Whoever wants to get saved, I'll give 40% off my prices to you." No one responded which tells me there wasn't one intelligent person there. If I were lost, for 40%off the price I would have faked it!

BRIXTON, A TOWN WITH SOUL(S) -- Brixton is not too far from The London Outreach Center. It's an area of London with a large African population. It is also an area noted for riots and racism. When Steve and I came out of the station, a black man said, "Hey, I saw you on TV!" Praise God, he knew what we were there for. I was walking around with a Jesus sign, blowing a horn and preaching. To my amazement, we saw a Bible shop, so we went in for some fellowship. While there, a Moslem came in that I knew. He was there to argue with the store manager that Jesus was not the Son of God. We are good friends so I interrupted him and said, "I'm going to pray for you." I fell on my knees and prayed a prayer out loud for his soul. He left quickly. Moslems respect someone on their knees praying! After all, they pray five times a day.

REMEMBER POCAHONTAS? She is known as the first American Indian to profess Christ and be baptized. Born in approximately 1594, she became famous for saving the life of Captain John Smith. As the story goes, she threw herself across him to stop the executioner's blow. Her father, a powerful chief over 40 tribes, then spared the captain's life. She later married an English settler and came to London. Here she was well received, even by the Queen. As she left London to return to Virginia, she died before the ship left the Thames River. About 20 miles east of London the ship stopped, took her body ashore and buried her, becoming the first American to be buried in England. The name of the town happens to be Gravesend. We were told it got it's name because one of the plagues to hit London (the Black Death) stopped there (therefore, it was the "end of the graves"). We were to find out how appropriate that name was!

We went there to preach and what a day it was. The town was teaming with people and they were seeking everything but God. I walked up to four girls and asked, "Have you heard of Jesus Christ?" "Tell me what you know." Before I knew it, I was surrounded by young people. I began preaching and they began mocking, blaspheming, and making obscene gestures. Not all, the original four girls listened with consideration. Many adults listened, but the message seemed like a fairy tale. The presence of evil could be felt and death was on their faces. They were dead, on their way to hell, and living in Gravesend! Praise God, the four girls stuck it out and considered their fate. I believe God touched them for...they touched me!

THE LONDON OUTREACH CENTER: We began opening the center on October 15th. Our first morning open was pretty encouraging. Several people stopped in and were open to what we were all about. We now have Scriptures painted on the large sign boards outside. They are bringing quite a reaction! One reads, "For God so loved," and the other reads, 'The truth shall make you free." We will have our official opening on Saturday, October 19th. The building looks great....come see!

WE ARE THANKFUL! Thanksgiving is approaching and that reminds us of all we have to be thankful for. Of course we are thankful everyday! God has really blessed us this past year. We have see miracles! We are so grateful to all of you who support us with your love, prayers and gifts. God bless you!

With love and appreciation,

The Wood Family