Dear Prayer Partners,

Gordon and Ethlyn spoke at the Second International 24/7 Prayer Watch Conference, November 4-13, 2005. The conference was held in Orange Farms Township, South Africa, an area south of Johannesburg, a township next to Soweto in Gauteng. Gordon also attended and spoke at the first conference that opened on August 27, 2005. Some 80 pastors and prayer leaders attended the August Conference. Pastor and Mrs. Richards arrived in South Africa for the November conference on November 4^th.

Bishop Peter Sekhonyane of Maranatha Ministries in Orange Farms Township coordinated the conference. The Jericho Walls News Magazine ran an article detailing the November conference and the work leading up to it. Bishop Peter started establishing 24/7/365 watches in August of 2004 in the Orange Farm Township. Within 10 months there were 26 watches established in the township, with at least one in each of the 20 extensions and out-villages of Orange Farms. During the first 13 months, through September 2005, of his seminars, onsite equipping of intercessors and the help of some other people and leaders all over the country, 74 watches were established, of which 38 are already running 24 hours every day.

People provided their own transportation to the November conference and a basic conference fee. Presently there are at least 3-4 watches in every province in the country. In some provinces there are dozens. There are 140 confirmed 24/7 watches in the country of South Africa, of which 80 are currently running non-stop for a full 24 hours per day.

Pastors and lay people from nine different provinces of the region attended the November 24/7 Conference. The theme of the conference was on “Prayer”. In the morning sessions there were two workshops on different aspects of prayer as well as time for interaction and questions. Following lunch the afternoon sessions were on various aspects of the life of prayer and problems that many were facing. The evening services were more Evangelistic, but always directed to the prayer out reach.

In the ten day conference, Gordon spoke approximately nine times as well as shared one on one with many of the Pastors regarding specific problems they were facing. It was a GREAT Conference, very well attended, regardless of the fact that the temperature was often in the 80’s.

Gordon and Ethlyn were given many invitations for future dates to go to various provinces and hold special meetings, covering many of the topics from Gordon’s books that he addressed at the Conference. Praise the Lord!!!

During the last few days of the Conference, Gordon was bitten by a very poisonous spider, causing him to become very ill. After much prayer and antibiotics from a Christian Doctor, he is almost back to normal now! Praise the Lord for His merciful hand.

Please continue to pray for God’s hand on this ministry. We have a dream of hundreds of watches covering the South African nation in prayer day and night. This is a season for 24-7 watches. This movement is happening all over the world. Remember God’s promises in Isaiah 62:6-7, Lamentations 2:18-19 and Luke 18:7. You can be a part of the ministry through your prayers.

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