September Update
Dear Family and Friends,
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” Borrowing heavily from Elizabeth Browning’s sentiments, we’ve been counting our blessings and our MANY reasons to be grateful to the LORD!
Personal Blessings…in no particular order:
1) Peter is 3-weeks post-CABG and already one week into the grueling Cardiac Rehabilitation phase of his recovery. Those physio-girls might look cute, but they’re mini-drill sergeants!
2) Abby Parker’s sweet car can almost drive herself back and forth to Medical City Heart Hospital, so frequently has she made the trip. What a blessing!
3) Our tolerant and generous son and daughter-in-law, despite having their house and routines turned upside down, continue to be warm, welcoming, and accommodating. Bless them, Lord!
4) The many uplifting messages, phone calls, prayers, and emails from family and friends make our days so much easier…along with the loan of a recliner (thanks, Brie!)
5) The joy of getting (nearly) complete nights of sleep now that Peter is home and in the recliner! I’m getting fitter by the minute; who knew that struggling to put compression stockings on someone else could be quite such a cardio workout?
6) We’ve received 501-3(c) status (non-profit) for MissionZHeart, which was formerly registered as a church…a lengthy and necessary process! Don’t rush out to make a donation just yet, as that page on our new website isn’t quite ready… but it soon will be, God willing.
7) The encouragement the Lord gives us every day as Peter works to regain his strength and for the new opportunities presented here in the States to make a difference for the Kingdom before returning overseas (DV).
…and Kingdom Blessings.
1) While Hurricane Fiona hit parts of the Dominican hard, Bani, where we were and where Jaime Blandon, our Discipleship Trainer, works with both Haitian and Dominican church leaders, only received lashing rains. He continues to train groups of about 30 for 6-week sessions, working with them until they are comfortable sharing their personal story and the story of Jesus, as well as the Commands of the Lord. Making disciples who make disciples!
2) MaeSai, in Northern Thailand, is still recovering from the devastating rains, the worst in many years, that flooded the whole town and ruined the few possessions of the families of children attending the Immigrant School we sponsor there. In a few short months, under the leadership of two Discipling couples, the school has grown from 7 to 82, and the leaders are also helping and witnessing to the children’s Burmese Refugee parents. This is where we will relocate when we return to Thailand, DV.
3) In that war-torn country across the border from Thailand, the Children’s Rescue Homes continue to educate, raise, and protect their children. Please pray for a buyer for this particular compound so that the whole group can move closer to a town where internet and teachers are more available.
4) In MaeSot, rescue work continues over the border, although little can be discussed here for fear of detection. Suffice it to say the many, many underground home churches established despite persecution continue to thrive and multiply. We continue to send Sawyer Water Filters so that clean water can be supplied to internally displaced peoples (IDPs) and schools that have been destroyed.
While waiting has never been our strong suit, I believe there are seasons the Lord designates for slowing down, reflecting, planning, and regrouping. We’ve accomplished any number of (oppressive) administrative tasks, which normally tend to be shelved. I don’t recommend anything as radical as heart surgery to clear your desk...but it’s worked for me!
Much love always,
Joan and Peter
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:” Psalm 23: 2-3