Some Updates

Ministry: We had 15 baptisms during September from 4 different areas. Many others have indicated a willingness to follow Jesus, but until they are baptized we don’t count them as “believers”. One of the purposes of baptism is to test the sincerity of a person’s faith. For me, the most exciting development has been 3 trainings for our house church leaders, which we hope to have on a monthly basis. I attended one training and my team members conducted the others. So, I am training a team of 7, and they are training their leaders.

The Stateside children: David works his job, saves his money, and stays single. We talk to him at least once a week via Skype. David and Jonathan often spend several hours a week talking. We also keep up with Sara, who is also working her job, saving some of her money, and staying single, too. She turns 23 on Oct. 9. We also talk to Hannah at least once a week. She is doing well in her studies, has little money to save, and has no choice but to stay single for a little while longer.

The still-at-home children: Jonathan had two in-grown toe-nails worked on at the doctor’s office the other day. He’s gotten big; weighs more than daddy, almost as tall. He loves his computer, his big brother, and sweet ice tea. He hates tomatoes, school work, and shopping for clothes. Martha takes her SAT college entrance exam later this week. She continues to do well in her school work and has found some avenues of ministry. Did you read her comments in the previous blog entry?

Peter Helms: A couple of blog entries ago, I asked you to pray for Pete. He has made minimal progress, still in a semi-coma, with some motor responses. They hope to move him home soon from the hospital for long term care. Please continue to pray for his parents, my precious friends, Doug and Selah. Pray, as well, for the many family members and friends who are helping to care for Pete. You can read about their journey of faith at www.prayforpeter.wordpress.com

Jan: That’s right, Jan has ministered to someone recently. Dan and Kathy Lockhart, the volunteer couple from Texas who have become our close friends, began ministering to an older lady with advanced breast cancer. With both legs broken from the cancer, the lady’s body is ‘skin and bones’. Some nights she laid awake screaming because of the pain. In my closet, I still had 2 bottles of Jan’s unused morphine, figuring I might need it if my cancer ever came back suddenly (pain meds are hard to get here). I gave one bottle to Kathy who has been giving small dosages to the lady. She doesn’t scream anymore; her pain is mostly gone. Now she likes to talk and even sings a bit. It’s a great way to exit this cruel world – pain free and on a morphine high!