Prestoncrest Missions

Clyde & Gwen Antwine
2600 Shady Tree Lane
Edmond, OK 73013
(405) 478-3614
December 12, 2007

Dear Supporters,

Oh, how we wish we could capture the pathos of the 7-week mission work in Europe during June and July! But then, this is the plight of every missionary who is writing a newsletter. The best we can do is survey the happenings, and draw some conclusions.

On the first leg of our trip, we flew to Glasgow, Scotland, June 6th. Tristan and Leslie Block, H.I.M. workers in Stirling, met us at the airport. We spent the next five days observing their work and getting acquainted with the congregation. Clyde was asked to preach on Sunday, June 8th. Following services there was a potluck; therefore, it gave us opportunity to become acquainted with several members we
otherwise would not have met.

The Blocks have settled in well, love the brethren as well as all others with whom they come in contact, and are loved by those who know them. Completing their 1st year, they are now poised to do an even more effective work during their 2nd year.

Next, we traveled to Morley, England for a 5-day visit with HIM workers Chris and Anna Jane Perrey. Again, Clyde was asked to preach on Sunday, June 15th. As was the case in Stirling, there was a potluck following services. During the time we were there we were privileged to visit in the homes of several members. Chris and Anna Jane are completing their 2-year commitment and will be returning to the States in September. Knowing how badly the congregation would love to have replacements for them, we almost dreaded facing the brethren. They were, however, very gracious and reaffirmed their desire to have others come to continue the good work Chris and Anna Jane have begun. This speaks highly of the Perreys, and we are hopeful of recruiting others for next year.

Tuesday, June 17th, we flew from Manchester, England to Dusseldorf, Germany, and from there, on to Dresden where we were headquartered for the next five weeks. In Dresden we were met at the airport by one of our dear friends whom we met five years ago. His sweet wife was unfortunately in the hospital following cancer surgery. Since she has, what the doctors describe, as the most aggressive, fastest growing kind of cancer there is, she is already undergoing a series of six chemotherapy treatments to be followed by six radiation treatments. Much of our time in Dresden was spent with this wonderful couple. We believe this was some of the most productive work we did all summer. Please pray for Anne’s healing.

Clyde preached twice in Dresden and taught a 5-week series on the book of Psalms in their midweek Bible class. Gwen spent time with contacts made in the past and also surfaced new contacts. One Lord’s Day we were in Oelsnitz, where Clyde preached, and one weekend we were in Warsaw, Poland. This trip was a long, 10-1/2-hour train ride from Dresden, but we were glad we could go and render whatever assistance and encouragement we could to this small group of Christians. Once again Clyde spoke in the Sunday assembly – however, this time it was not in German, and certainly not in Polish, but in English through an interpreter.

Monday, July 21st, we left Dresden by train enroute to Vienna, Austria, via Munich. After spending one night in Munich, visiting with a few of the members, we traveled on to Vienna, arriving Tuesday afternoon. Accompanying us was Steve Allison, psychology professor at Abilene Christian University. Steve specializes in Missionary Family Care, and spends half his time traveling on behalf of this good and much needed work. We spent most of the next 5 days in Vienna visiting four young couples who have just completed their first year in Vienna. We believe it was time well spent, and we look forward to following the path of these fine young people as they seek to spread the Good News in this great city.

Saturday July 26th we left Vienna, traveling to Augsburg, Germany – the last leg of our journey. The time there was a fitting climax to our summer’s work, because 40 years ago this July we moved to Augsburg to work with this congregation. What a challenge this proved to be. At the time the congregation was a small, fledgling congregation of some 15 members. What we did not know when we moved there was that several of the members held doctrinal positions contrary to Scripture, and were intent on introducing these innovations into the church. The first two years of our ministry there proved to be extremely challenging. Almost on a daily basis we were forced to confront these unsound teachings. Finally, one by one, these members left, and the church began to grow. Today it is a fine congregation of 80-plus members, with elders and deacons, and fully self-supporting.

Sunday, July 27th, Clyde preached in Augsburg. Following services the members gathered for a fellowship meal. Incidentally, it would appear from this report that all that the Christians in Europe do is eat. Be assured that is not true, but this is certainly one expression of the warmth of their fellowship.

Wednesday, July 30th, we then flew from Munich to Washington Dulles and then on to Oklahoma City – home again, at last! Tired? Yes! But, also excited and thankful that we could be used by God in helping advance the Kingdom in Scotland, England, Germany, Poland and Austria.

How much good was done – only God knows. Long ago we learned to not measure success in terms of visible results. The words of Scripture. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” (1. Cor. 3:6) are emblazoned on our hearts

We are thankful to God for protecting us in our travels, and we are also thankful to each of you who has had a part in making it all possible.

Your fellow servants in Christ,

clyde.antwine@oc.edu
gwen.antwine@oc.edu

Clyde and Gwen Antwine