The world around seems to be in turmoil, and we need to be reminded that Jesus said it would be this way before his glorious return. I am doing two things in the light of this. First I am keeping my eyes on the Clouds, believing He may come at any time. Secondly I am doing all I can to make the Good News known to all I come in touch with, whether face to face, or over the World Wide Web!

             This is an age in which we can have great hope in the promises of God, and great energy to finish the Great Commission, to make Him known to every creature.

            I trust you are as excited about this as I am. In these last months I have had some wonderful opportunities open for significant ministry.

            I am being asked when I am planning to retire. Well that is not on the table      ! Yes I do celebrate my 50 year Anniversary of Ministry on the 16^th of September 2008, but I see it as a passing milestone in the race I have been given to run for the Lord.

            My future plans are to visit Africa this November for ministry and to visit the churches I planted there between 1958 and 1971. I will be preaching for the great Pretoria Cornerstone church on Sunday 9^th, and Kimberley on the 12^th and Rustenburg on the 16^th. I have also been asked to take the Leadership Chapel service for Mission Aviation South Africa on the morning of the 11^th. In addition I have made myself available to minister in additional services with dates still pending.

            All this has been made possible by many of you who gave towards the travel costs and the fare has been paid for the flight from Dallas TX to South Africa and back, as well as a flight from Johannesburg to Kimberley and back to Johannesburg and two more legs of the Journey, from Johannesburg to Durban, and from Durban to Cape Town. 

Thanks to all who gave so generously this trip is now fully funded, and I pray the Lord will bless you abundantly as you share in this ministry opportunity. Please do not send any more donations for the Africa Trip. - Updated note Sept. 15th.- Jim.

            Meanwhile I am assisting a group of missionaries in a wonderful outreach to the nations of the world over the Internet. Parts of our project are already visible on the Web at www.project10million.com but the big world wide launch date is projected for Mid October. For mature Christians who are familiar with e-mail, there is a wonderful chance to join up and help guide new converts even from some lands that our missionaries cannot enter, as you become a 1-2-1 Connector. The web site shows you what it is all about and how to join. I have personally had contact with people in Turkey, China, India and Iraq, among others.

            I am also continuing my internet Pod casts, twice a month for Children’s teacher training.  While I get between 3,000 and 5,000 hits on my own web site a month, I am also getting a rising number of people subscribing to the Pod cast, so they get it automatically on their computer the day after it is published.

            I have been writing a background study each month on a little known person in the Bible, and this too is eliciting a lot of interest, currently my article for August is “The man in the Shadows” and in September the new posting will be “The Ethiopian Woman”.

            Jim has had opportunity to preach a missions meeting for ‘Convoy of Hope’, recently and will be doing more to raise awareness for this wonderful Evangelistic ministry of Compassion.

            The Summer Vacation Bible School just closed with an excellent attendance and so many Kids came up to me and said how they appreciated my ministry to them.

            Family news of the Cole-Rous’ is that Sylvia and her daughter Sabrina will be moving to America about this time next year, and John and his wife Lorena and their 3 kids are still staying in California for the present. John has returned to College to do a course in ‘Construction Management’; which will no doubt help him down the line when the building industry gets on its feet again. He has 17 years in Construction, several as a Supervisor.

            Jim, has been urged to get away from his desk one day a week, and decided to take up Golfing, as a change from computers and research. He started taking lessons in April and played his first full game in May. His score has improved each month, and he hopes to break 100 before the year’s end!      

            Rowena went to be with her Savior just 9 months ago, and is sorely missed by the family as well as many friends. However her work is still going on, as month by month churches and individuals are ordering the teacher training DVD series, “Help I’m teaching Children” in which Rowena is prominently teaching with passion and urgency.

            If your church does not have this series, why not consider purchasing a copy for the Christian Education department to help equip your Sunday school and Children’s ministry workers. It is available from our ministry and can be ordered directly or online.

            I am looking forward to meeting with many old acquaintances as I travel and minister in South Africa, and ask for your prayers for this ministry the Lord has given me to complete.

            If you have a personal need please do as others and call or e-mail me and I will be in prayer and intercession for you.

            Your friend, In Calvary’s bonds,

             Jim Cole-Rous.