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This
letter is coming out at a very special
moment. Tony and I are closing one
chapter in our lives, and simultaneously
opening another. We came from Brazil
to the U.S. just 4 ½ months
ago, and just completed the job
that God has given us. If you have
followed our ministry over the years,
then you will get excited with us
at what the Lord has done, and thank
Him with us for all the progress
made.
Three years ago, God spoke to our
hearts about the need for fine quality
Biblical literature to be made available
in computerized format. It all started
when Tony seriously injured his
wrist while carrying some heavy
suitcases full of books to take
down to Brazil. After several weeks
of painful recovery, he determined
to not let that happen again. Then,
the idea came up: Why not put our
favorite commentaries and theological
books on a CD so that folks just
like us could take their study books
and teaching materials with them
wherever they go in a more convenient
way? We sensed that the next generation,
highly computerized, needs to understand
the 'whys' of the faith, as well.
This study tool could help them.
And so, the seed was planted. We
realized the need, and determined
to go forward, by God's help.
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Little
did we know it would take us three
years to actually complete the project,
which henceforth came to be known
as: The Grace Library CD-Rom. We
began by contacting and visiting
authors and organizations, obtaining
written permission to scan their
writings and include them on the
CD, all the while explaining our
purpose and vision. Then, we registered
TBS Ministries as a non-profit organization
in the state of Indiana, (TBS simply
stands for our combined initials,)
which was necessary for us to develop
and sell the CD and/or future projects.
After that, we began the actual
scanning, developing and programming
process.
Scanning
thousands of pages of books was
quite an undertaking, and many a
time we thought we had gone crazy
(or blind), but the benefits have
been astounding! Our eyes read and
re-read, proofed and double checked
some truly precious writings. God
used those seemingly endless nights
in front of our computer screen
to teach us and lead us to a closer
walk with Him. He called us to practice
what we preach. The more we worked
on the project, the more convicted
we became that everyone we know
needs to dig through and find these
literary gems, just as we had. Soon,
it was easy to see that we were
laboring on something with great
potential, and that God was conducting
our steps.
"Goodnight
honey, I'm headed to bed,"
I would often announce at midnight.
"OK, dear, I'll be in after
a while." An hour or two later,
Tony would sink under the covers,
exhausted from dealing with the
CD's many links, bookmarks, text
files and charts. We rejoice that
keeping the candles 'burning at
both ends' has now produced its
final results: the CD is completed
and is now ready for distribution.
God has brought us so far: through
long trips down countless highways
(15,000 miles just in the past 4
mos.), to expensive legal fees (well
over $2,000), past long evenings
of scanning and saving, down the
valley of investing in computer
programs that make texts presentable,
over the recording studio bridge,
under cover design tunnel, not to
mention the Lord taking us down
the path of CD duplication itself,
which is no laughing matter. We've
learned a lot, and feel excited
about plans for our next CD with
even more wonderful books, and pray
now that God will bless His work
in us and every single CD that is
sold.
All
of the above has put us in a position
of reliance on God. We are humbled
that the Lord has chosen us to start
this new ministry, and with joy,
Tony and I thank you for your encouragement,
support and prayers.
May God allow us to be re-united
with you in His service.
Tony & Barb Sistelos
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