Date: December 9, 2003

Thank you very much for your prayers for us and our ministry with Mission to the World.

I have asked you to pray for me during this semester of my doctoral studies as it has been the most difficult semester so far. At one point I said to myself, "It will be a miracle if I get everything done." I was really feeling overwhelmed, and felt more than willing to step out of the program if the Lord would give me just the slightest indication that he wanted me to do so!! But all along we have believed this is what the Lord has for me at this point in my ministry. We have believed that this time of study will prove to be useful for the work of the kingdom. Again and again the Lord has confirmed to us that this is what we should be doing now. So I want to thank you very much for your prayers in this regard. The miracle happened. I was able to finish the work, and the semester is over.

Now I face one more semester before comprehensive exams, which will be in April toward the end of that semester. Then I begin working in earnest on the dissertation. After comprehensive exams my time will be a little more flexible and I suspect I'll be able to get a little more involved in ministering in Latin America. Thank you for your continued prayer in this regard.

In February I will be traveling to Cusco, Peru. The director of Hinterland ministries in Latin America--Keith Powlison--has asked me to speak to the hinterland missionaries.

Please continue to pray for the leadership training programs that are in progress or being developed in Chile, Mexico and among the hinterland missionaries.

Our girls enjoyed their missions trip to London and Warrington, England. They got back the day before Thanksgiving.

Thanks again for your enouragement and support of us in our ministry in so many ways.

Gary Waldecker