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April 23, 2006

April News and Notes

New Life Day! Doesn’t that sound wonderful. We just celebrated New Life Day. OK. Most people call it Easter but it’s really New Life Day, the day when all of us Christians were given new life. I love it! You know, when Jesus said, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly, there are reminders all around us. In our area the trees are just starting to bud and the tulips have just bloomed. It all looked so dead a month ago. New life. We celebrated on Easter with a wonderful service with the clearest and most encouraging of gospel messages. Christ gave us eternal life! So, at this time of year we distinctly remember why we are here and how significant the work is that God has given us to do. The reason he has left us here on the earth. Go and make disciples of all the nations! Baptizing…and teaching…

Well, the first official trimester of the Online Masters program at SETECA with a full slate of students (20 in all, from 9 countries) was just completed. And Alvin, as one of the 4 professors, just finished his class on Methods of Bible Study. It was a real challenge not having the students face to face and interacting with them online. But it went wonderfully. Making disciples, who in turn will make disciples! It sounds like a 2 Timothy 2:2 mandate.

As part of his job requires developing the web site, Alvin is also finishing up another class on Web Design at the local college. That has been fascinating as well as challenging. He is discovering that it is more of an art than a science.

Laurie just finished her study of 1 & 2 Timothy. What a good year. It’s always exciting to develop the study and sharing it with a group of ladies makes it all come alive. The year ended earlier than we are accustomed to but in all, lives were touched by the Word of God.

Now we are looking forward to some big events.
* In May, we will be in Denver and Dallas on a work/vacation time. Laurie is speaking to a group of ladies in Dallas. And joy of all joys, we will be visiting our kids and grandkids.
* In June, we are both preparing for classes we are going to be teaching, Alvin for a class he is teaching in August – October, Laurie for a seminar she is giving in July and a study she is leading in the Fall.
* In July, we are helping to host a family reunion for Laurie’s family here in Coeur d’Alene. Our family is growing and we are up to 36, with 4 generations represented.
* In August, Alvin begins teaching a class on Deuteronomy and Laurie continues her preparations and will be doing a seminar for the women of this years Bible study.

Please pray with us about all these preparations and events. May they be honoring to God. And by the way, again thank you to those of you who prayed and gave. Several of you gave one-time gifts to clear our debt to CAM International. Continue to pray for an increase in our regular monthly support so that we don’t end up in that situation again. And don’t forget to do your online shopping through our website www.alvinthompson.org , a creative way of supporting us.

May God richly bless you in your New Life today.