Coffee Talk

With Marc & Denise Atchley

You may recall that when Denise was born her parents were missionaries serving with TEAM in Peru.  We recently asked for a copy of one of their prayer cards, and what they were able to find is shown above.  It is a brochure from TEAM featuring the Samworths (right photo, upper left corner) and several other missionary couples who in 1967 were preparing to leave for various mission areas.  The copy on the left-hand photo read

"There is NOTHING NICE about war.  It is always devastating and deadly."
"THIS SOLDIER LIVES to fight another day because Americans care enough to provide the material for conflict and survival.  TEAM has 75 accepted candidates ready to enter the battle for the souls of men.  But they cannot go the the foreign fields and face the enemy without the material for victory.  You can be a fellow-soldier in this great spiritual conquest..."

This would have been powerful imagery in 1967 as the Vietnam War was continuing to escalate.  Victory in previous wars (perhaps most memorably during World War II) had been directly connected to the support and sacrifice from those who stayed at home.

More recent military conflicts have not required folks back home to ration food and materials or to leave their homes for work in factories to support the war effort.  We sacrifice our brave sons and daughters who serve in our armed forces, but our lives at home and work carry on as usual.

And yet "the battle for the souls of men" hasn't changed.  Our King calls us to go make disciples and to battle against Satan and the powers of evil in the process.  Some are called to this task here at home, while others are called to foreign lands.  It still requires the sacrifice of sons and daughters, and it still requires the sacrifice of time, material possessions and comforts.

We have no doubt that the Lord has directed us to launch this coffeehouse ministry in Greece, working together with the local Greek Evangelical Church to provide discipleship, vocational training and faithful community witness.  And as He usually works through His people to supply the needed resources, we humbly ask you to support us as the Lord leads you to.  We can't thank you enough!!!!

 “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the LORD, “from this time forth and forevermore.”  ~ Isaiah 59:21

Denise's grandparents, John and Dorthy Van Kampen, served as missionaries with TEAM in Venezuela for 30 years!  All six of their children are professing believers, and three of them served as foreign missionaries. John and Dorthy also had 20 grandchildren (most of whom are professing believers and 4 have become foreign missionaries).

Marc flies to Greece on October 11 for a week to gather information for the business plan and explore school options for the kids.  Please pray that God would bless Marc's trip and watch over Denise and the children in his absence.

Please pray that God would help us to sell our home.  It's an older house (built circa 1925) with plenty of character (good and not-so-good), and it will take just the right buyer.  We're trusting the Lord to bring that buyer along, and we're praying that it will be soon.  Thank you in advance for your prayers!

 
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