“Robert Raif Feb/March Report 2024”

Friday, April 26, 2024

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 REPORT ON THE WORK IN CORRIGAN, TEXAS [email protected]

Dear Brethren,

281-756-7957

ROBERT RAIF
171 CALDWELL ST

LIVINGSTON, TX 77351

I hope you all are well. I normally would have sent this report in April, but I kept holding off waiting to have something definitive to report regarding the prison work. The Chaplain has agreed to let me start the class again. But he has put me on hold, trying to fit me into his schedule. They are still understaffed, but let’s pray he will agree to a time slot for us. I used to have Sam in there to twist his arm a bit, but Sam is doing great work in Lubbock now!

I continue to study with Curtis each Monday at 9. We’re studying through Galatians at the present. Then I go to study with Roy and Deborah at 10:30 when I can. They have been coming and going lately out of state, and have had sickness. Then I go visiting in the area.

Johnny McFarland knocked doors with me last year, but we quit during the cold months and then his leg was really bothering him. But he is ok now, and I think he can keep up with me! @ So we are starting this again this month. We send out flyers and then follow up with door knocking.

We are studying the book of Numbers in our Sunday and Wednesday classes. I’ve been doing expository sermons Sunday nights. I’m preaching on various topics Sunday morning. I did three lessons on the authority, since we have new members, and, of course, it is always good for the older members.

Concerning our brethren in the Philippines, Zimbabwe, Uganda, etc, there are always those who need food and medicine. God blesses us not just for our own benefit, but also so we can be a blessing to others in need. The tendency to hoard and try to build up more and more is a dangerous one, and the best antidote to greed is to be a generous giver. “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor... so that he may have something to share with anyone in need” (Eph. 4:28). “Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase” (Prov. 3:9).

Paul was always encouraging the Gentile churches to remember to poor saints in Jerusalem. Some of the brethren probably argued, “They’re foreigners! We don’t know those people from Adam!” “Those guys are ALWAYS in need!” “Why don’t they get a job!” “How do I know MY money will go to deserving people?” Yes, we can offer lots of reasons why we don’t want to help, but these are still our brethren - - just as if they lived in Florida or Arkansas. “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” (I Tim 6:18). Remember, the Lord gave us the money we have. We are simply stewards. How will we use it?

Zimbabwe is having a terrible drought - - worse than last year. They live on “corn meal” but can’t afford it. Some will die without our aid. $15 will feed one person for a month there. And the Filipinos are suffering also. The Gentile brethren gave beyond their ability to get food to the Jerusalem saints (2 Cor 8:3). Can we sacrifice some of our luxuries for our brethren?

Brethren, I am ever so grateful for your support that allows me to go each day and teach others. Or, at least, teach over the internet. Working together, we are spreading the word. Praise God for this!

In Him who saves,
Robert Raif (Read on for more information on the benevolent work to those overseas.)

The following is the TOTAL aid sent out for the two months of February and March. Over $12,000 was sent. Some aid is for the support of preachers who sacrifice so much. The fields are SO white with harvest. The number in the left column is amount of benevolence to faithful Christians, and the second number is for the preachers’ support. They also need Bibles and songbooks. If you want to give just for a specific thing, like Bibles, I will make sure it will go for that.

Benevolence Support Again, the following sums are not just for one month, but two months of money sent!

Zimbabwe
1600 600

400 800

Uganda
900 300

Kenya
400 400

Philippines
200 400

            600
700         700
600         800
500         500
200         200
200         200

400 0 1000

Nicaragua
800 600 200

Kudakwashe Bangure. (Four congregations.) He is an untiring worker. $300 went toward buying Bibles.

Brighton Makurudza.

Kule Bisathu.

John Ositu.

Glenn Fiesta.

Manny Pader.
Simeon Vargas.
Jimmy Domingo. Rosendo Gumpad. Andy Dappas.
Felipe Jr Tan Tula. Zurdan & Fe Baliog. Meds for various saints

Jose Ruiz Efrain Valdez

It would be great if someone would “adopt” one of these preachers and send $50 or $100 on his own and get to know these good men. I can put you in touch with men who have been validated by one or two well- known preachers. You could go to Walmart or elsewhere and send through them. If you want to help with a building, food, songbooks, Bibles, or preacher support, and don’t want to handle it on your own, then you can send the money to me and I will send the whole amount to them with Moneygram, Western Union, or Paypal. I have to use different sources for different localities. I would simply be your messenger as in 2 Cor. 8:23.

Share