God is so good! We started off July with trying to get to a Prophecy Conference in Adelaide, South Australia. However, the Lord had some things—or should I say, one big thing, delay our trip. Our second granddaughter, Alexis Gonzalez, was born on July 8, 2023, about 8:00 a.m. Mary and the baby are doing well. What a joy it is to be able to spend time with a new grandchild. After the baby was born, we got to head out for Adelaide, which is about a 14-hour trip. We were able to be a blessing to Pastor Trevor Ringwaldt and Pastor Simeon Western of Northside Baptist Church. Brother Ringwaldt and his wife said they truly needed us to be with them, as they were going through some issues at the time. What a blessing it is to be used by our Lord.
Once we got back, I was blessed to receive a phone call letting me know I could go into Fulham Prison in Sale, Victoria, the next week. I am feeling so blessed to be able to give the Gospel to the inmates and to comfort them with God’s Word through Bible study. The pastor who I am under cheekily keeps reminding me that I am a “probationary.” I keep asking him when am I going to be permanent and not a “probie,” and he just smiles. The prisoners who come to the Bible study fluctuate from week to week, of course, but we usually have at least five to twelve attend. One man by the name of Rob has been coming. We have been praying for him to continue to grow; he has a wonderful spirit when he can attend. Please pray that the prisoners who are not saved will come to Christ.
On August 6, Laura and I got to renew our wedding vows in the evening service at Calvary Baptist Church of Moe. If you would like to watch the ceremony, click here. We praise the Lord for so many of you sending us birthday and anniversary cards. This was our 30th anniversary, and we wanted to celebrate with the entire church and you too. We had 60 people attend that evening, even a family that has been out of church since we left for furlough last year. You may recognize two of our children—Ron Jr. standing up with me and Mary standing with Laura, along with their spouses on the ends. We were hoping Abby could be with us, but she was not able to come because of her pregnancy.
Please continue to pray for souls saved, especially at the prison, and for converts to be baptized. We also need your prayers for our health and for another vehicle.
Sincerely,
Ron Back
Missionary in Australia