PARTNERSHIP MINISTRIES PRAYER UPDATE

May 1^st, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Presently Mike and I are enroute for Japan where the leadership in one church network have asked us to give specific teaching on land. This is quite a breakthrough since the whole subject of idolatrous practice on the land has been a very real part of their tradition - even mixed into Christianity. It is only a short visit but one that we hope will be in season for all that is taking place there.

This is our first time to Japan, and with the help of a very dear friend of ours we are using, for the first time, a complete translation of our PowerPoint slides into Japanese! Please pray for us that our laptops and related systems will function perfectly while there! There are many strongholds we will be up against in that beautiful land, but the LORD goes before us to prepare the way!

A verse I am being reminded of often these days is Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"

I find this verse very much in keeping with this new season of walls and doors and sudden breakthroughs. There are growing pressures all around us (just watch the TV or read the daily newspaper) - but the Lord seems to be challenging us not to dwell on the past - not to think over again and again what might have been - what could have been - what should have been etc. Dwelling on the past restricts forward motion and engagement with the new. It is a choice we need to make. Evidence of Spring is all around us these days - and new directions always bring new challenges - but in spite of the pressures many are going through - God is wanting us to perceive what He is up to in our lives.

This has been a very challenging time for us in Partnership Ministries and many of our visions and promises are being severely tested. It is likely the most difficult financial time we have had in our years of ministry - but it is also evident of something about to break forth - just as Spring reminds us that winter is past and that summer is coming! We have found that in the very core of our specific call often lies the greatest battle the enemy will wage upon us - trying to weary us out and exhaust us and starve us in our very areas of anointing. Yet - a new thing is taking place.

However, it requires a choice to see it - and a choice to let go of past mindsets and strongholds that would condition us to the old, and restrict us from experiencing the new. Breakthroughs are coming and in whatever the Lord is taking each of us through at this time - we need to stand firm. God loves to make ways in the desert - and streams in the wasteland (vs. 19b), but often He will wait until we are actually in the desert and wasteland before He reveals the next stage. He wants to be sure we are resting in His strength and not in our own and not trying to problem-solve just because the giants happen to be getting closer all the time! - This is how we appropriate the type of "earned authority" that has authenticity in our life and testimony. That is why from God's perspective we are "formed for fellowship and fashioned for praise" (vs. 21) - He is simply moulding us more and more into His likeness and each new season we enter is waiting to release His reflection in and through us - the greater the intensity - the greater His reflection! That is why we are not to dwell on the past.

We are so grateful to those of you who pray for us on a regular basis. Breakthroughs are coming and we need to stand firm. It is what living in Kingdom Culture is all about!

~

The ministry we are working with while there is Christian International Asia – and their website is www.ciasia.net so take a look more information! Also, here is a snapshot of our itinerary while in Japan:

1st May – Travel to Japan

2nd May - Pick up at Narita airport by Terry Woodward around 4:30pm.
Drive to Sano
Check in at hotel (dinner optional)

3rd May - Free day
Meet with Ron Sawka (CI Asia Director)

4th May - Morning church service (to be discussed with Ron Sawka on the 3rd)
Lunch
Conference starts at 6pm (session 1)

5th May - Session 2 9am
Session 3 11am (finish around 12:30pm)
Lunch
Session 4 2pm (finish around 4pm)
Session 5 6pm (finish around 9, or 9:30pm)

6th May - Check out of hotel
Session 6 9am
Session 7 11am (finish around 12:30pm)
Lunch

Keep watching the website for any updates we might post! Thank you so much for your prayers while we undertake this amazing assignment from the Lord. Our Love and Blessings!

Alistair and Family