October 2022 Update
What a difference a month makes!
Exactly four weeks ago, Peter was hoisted out of his wheelchair by two cardiac therapists and propped up for a two-minute walk at his first rehab session. Now, most mornings I drive behind him in Abby Parker’s precious “pace” car, hazards flashing and ice water at the ready…while the neighbors call out their encouragement. They’re used to us now, circling the blocks, as Peter pushes the limits of how far he can go. Thank you, Lord, for returning strength! While he has a way to go, progress is steady and, as our daughter reminds us, "You only have to make 1% improvement every day!"
And some of the best medicine in the world was provided by visits from our California-based kids, Liz and Jason. Each flew in for a weekend of non-stop talking, good Texas barbeque by Peter Jr., and seeing firsthand that their dad is on the road to recovery. While Lizzy’s visit was planned and much-anticipated, Jason's was a stunning surprise. Our conspiratorial eldest son, Peter, and his equally devious wife, Patty, smuggled Jason into the spare room in the dead of night, totally undetected. Imagine our surprise and delight when, while drinking our coffee in the morning, the bedroom door opened, and out walked Jason! There’s not much that can compare with being able to spend time with all three kids!
While Peter is doing all he can to return to the mission field as quickly as possible, we’re gratified at how capably our teams are carrying on in our absence. While our personal delay is at times frustrating, the whole point of missionary work is to equip, enable, and support indigenous believers in Kingdom work. Ultimately, the measure of our success will be whether they can continue and replicate on their own.
And successful they are proving to be!
Last year, about this time, several of you supported our micro-loan program designed to help Haitian pastors in the DR establish income-producing projects to support their families.
1) Pastor “P” repaid his loan in its entirety two months ago (he was raising pigs) and sold his produce, realizing three times the loan in profits. Due to his good record, he was permitted to renew his loan and reinvested in pigs. His profit made a substantial difference to his family in a location where the average daily wage is $5.00 for Haitians.
2) Pastor “G” distributed his loan amongst five of his church members who each sold vegetables, candy, street food, etc., and has also repaid his loan on time. He’s applied and received a new loan to continue.
3) Pastor “I” used his loan to develop a church business which was successful, enabling him to repay on time. He’s also applied for and received a new loan to expand the church’s existing business.
4) Pastor “W” used his loan to help three women in his church begin retail businesses similarly to Pastor “G” which were all successful, and the loan was repaid. He, too, received a new loan based on his excellent record and guarantee of his three members.
5) Sadly, Pastor “F” has fallen behind…so it’s not all roses! This hardworking pastor, who has established five churches, is fighting the village as they want to tear down and build a road through two of his buildings...without compensation...so he has been understandably distracted. It becomes the unpleasant duty of our loan-administer missionary in the DR to enforce repayment, which is tough when you understand the reasons for this pastor's default. However, the only way this program works is for loans to be repaid so they can be reinvested in other deserving people.
The Immigrant Day School in Northern Thailand, which is run by believers we support (one Brazilian missionary couple, and another missionary couple from Myanmar), continues to grow by leaps and bounds and is now pushing 100 children. Not only are they teaching the children the Gospel, but their parents are learning of the Lord as they witness these strangers take care of their children, attend evening group meetings, and come to faith, followed by baptism. God’s hand is undoubtedly on this project as is evident from the massive doors opened, and the resulting copious harvest of souls.
In the DR, Pastors Jaime and Jackie continue the six-week Discipling Training with a new group of Haitians who are hungry to learn how to tell their own story and the story of Jesus. Their desire to follow the Lord’s command to make disciples is huge and their hearts for the Lord’s work are enormous…they just need the training to have the confidence to tell others the truth of the Word.
In that country-that-must-not-be-named, conditions continue to deteriorate as various military factions, often short of food themselves, overrun and terrorize villages, taking supplies such as rice, chickens, and crops. The terrified and hungry IDPs (internally displaced people) flee and seek food wherever they can find it. Asians are extraordinarily generous; they will share what little they have to the point of neglecting their own needs. One of our Children's Rescue Home pastors, who has done a great job growing crops, and raising fish, pigs, and chickens for her sheltered children, is hard-pressed by the villagers wanting help. It’s a heartbreaking dilemma. And the whole country is like this, some areas worse off because of active fighting and bribery demands from the warring military factions. Only God! So far, this pastor and her charges are safe, but as they have no internet or teachers, schooling is a pressing issue.
This year, with “Celebration” as our watchword, Peter and I continue to marvel at each day’s new mercies: the joy of staying with family while recuperating, the generosity of friends through the loan of car and equipment, the brilliant medical care Peter has received, the opportunity to work hard to rebuild strength, the privilege of returning to ministry, the prayers, calls, cards, and messages of encouragement, the mentorship of fellow missionaries in establishing our 501(c)3 status, the continued financial support of our missions by so many of you, and the renewed friendships of some dear friends. We don’t take anything or any day for granted!
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23