Gary DeGraaf – June 3, 2009

June 3rd, 2009

Missions wherever YOU are    June, 2009 (Vol. 9, #6)

Moving, and moving forward!

What does moving mean to you?  Boxes and trucks and questions like “Where did I pack _______?”  For me it is all of the above and, in addition, it means leaving friends behind but heading toward a new adventure.  This month I’m thinking less of “a move” and more of a “move forward.”

Lille is a city (1.1 million) of particular interest to church workers and missionaries, because of the potential outreach to established churches, students, immigrants, and the possibility of church planting.  This last month you prayed for my meetings with the student ministry group (university students) and the church in Croix where I’ll work, for my apartment search, and for Kate’s job offer to materialize.  I thank you for praying, and I’m happy to tell you that all four areas have seen positive results!  The student ministry has great plans for the fall, and I am really looking forward to what will be my highest level of involvement in student ministry since coming to France, which says as much about the other necessary ministries I did, as the fact that ministry among students is a difficult work in the French church today.  As far as other requests, I had a good discussion with the pastor (pray for Alain) of the church in Croix (a Lille suburb, pop. 25,000, whose name means “Cross”), the only evangelical church there (only protestant one, in fact!), and the whole church awaits our arrival in the fall.  Next, we found an apartment to where I will move this month and Kate will move after our marriage–we thank God for leading us there (by internet!).  Finally, Kate and I give praise for a job that she starts in the fall teaching English at the Catholic University–it seemed to all fall into place so easily!  Praise God!

Before I leave for Lille, I would like to spend time with those in Tours most interested in spiritual matters.  Pray for Jean-Michel, who seems to accept factual data he sees in the Bible rather than the gospel message.  Pray for Boris, who is resisting making the gospel personally applicable (forgiveness, repentance, following Jesus).  You prayed for Eric and Nathalène, with whom Kate and I ate recently.  Nathalène has recovered from recent stress-related health issues, for which I praise God!  We spoke with them and I hope to see them about spiritual issues, and they seem ready.  Others from the gospel choir include Agnès, who showed more than her usual joy when in our church recently; I believe God has already done a significantt work in her!  Laurence came to our church for the first time, and she sounded extremely interested in coming back.  Pray for those two, and for Martine, Patricia, and Marie-Christine: all who have come recently and heard the gospel.  June 21 is my last day seeing the members of the gospel choir, an afternoon picnic and concert.  I would appreciate your prayers to plead for the lives of these choir members to know Jesus personally.

More stories to come, as I leave Tours and move FORWARD (!) to Lille.  God is faithful and good!

Here is my new address (and Kate’s after the July 25 marriage!):
Gary DeGraaf
48, rue de la Résistance
59155 FACHES-THUMESNIL, France

Gifts can be sent to Greater Europe Mission, PO Box 1669, Monument, CO 80132-1669.  Include a separate note (or on an attached stub) with my name and account number #11350.  Thank you!
(Gifts specifically for upcoming wedding can be sent here, too, but with “wedding gift” noted.)

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Ted & Debra Welch – May 28, 2009

May 28th, 2009

From: Ted Welch Prayer Letter 
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2009 11:24 PM
Subject: Special Urgent Prayer Request

Dear Praying Partners,

A lot has happened in a short time and we need your prayer support for our present situation in Ukraine. On Friday, May 22nd we learned that new visas laws had been passed on May 9th which would affect us. As of May 20th we are allowed to be in Ukraine for only 90 days at a time and then we must be out of the country for 90 days.  We looked at our schedule, counted days and decided that in order to be back in Ukraine for the busy fall schedule of teaching from September through November we had to leave immediately and be out of the country for 90 days. We contacted our pastor, our regional director and our team leader to receive the needed approval, did some fast packing, organizing, saying good-byes, etc. and landed in Des Moines very early Wednesday morning, May 27.

As we went through passport control in Ukraine, they took a very long time processing our paperwork and figuring out how long we had been in the country and when we could come back. The lady finally told us to not come back until September, which would assure them that we had been out for 90 days. This is a new law and we don’t know exactly how it is going to affect us. We don’t know now exactly what our options are and if we can somehow stay in Ukraine longer than 90 days.

We have started the application process for a religious visa which we are hoping will allow us to stay in Ukraine for up to a year but when we leave we will have to be out of the country for 90 days. Right now on the limited amount of information we have we are thinking about being in Ukraine from September through the end of May and then home next summer for the 90 days. This will allow us to conform to the laws of Ukraine and also the policy of our mission which says that we must be on the field for 80% of the time.

While we are home Ted will continue to work on his lessons for his fall classes and we will continue to study Russian. Our son, Titus, is going to be married on June 27th and Ted will have skin cancer surgery on his nose on June 29th. We also will try to report to some of our supporting churches. You may contact us via e-mail or at 515-210-4605 to schedule a time for us to speak.  We had to buy a new phone so the phone number may not be good for a day or two.

Thank you for your prayers regarding this situation.  Most of Ted’s teaching responsibilities fall in the Spring and Fall but being out of the country for 180 days a year would slow down our work in the church, at the orphanage and make it harder to have a good working relationship with the people, so please pray that we can get the religious visa and be allowed to stay in the country for longer than 90 days at a time.

If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

How wonderful to serve the God who knows the end from the beginning and then to claim His promise of wisdom in times of uncertainty.

Ted and Debra Welch

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Gary DeGraaf – April 29, 2009

April 29th, 2009

Missions wherever YOU are    May, 2009 (Vol. 9, #5)

When it gets to the heart…

Last month I wrote about the lack of joy I see in the French people.  This month I go from the heart of the people to the heart of a problem.  This month I would like you to pray about specific problems or challenges I am dealing with, like obstacles to belief, to health, and to people groups.

No more new information about work in Lille, but I will be there during a long weekend to find lodging and participate in student ministry meetings and activities.  Pray that I find a good apartment quickly.  Keep praying for wisdom should this potential job offer for Kate come through.

After Easter I had the longest, most spiritual conversation with Boris I ever had.  He has so many ideas about what it is to be a Christian, that he does not know to accept even what the Bible says about it or accept the gospel from someone like me (as he may put me at the same level as a Catholic priest).  Pray that his problem of previous false teaching will go away, and that he will accept what God says.

Pray also for Eric, and his wife Nathalène (Eric in English café and Nathalène singing gospel).  Last month Nathalène had a mild breakdown, and she was hospitalized.  She is a psychologist and may have allowed the troubles of her clients to affect her personally.  Eric has asked my church for prayer.  He rejected his Catholic background years ago, so this may be a chance for our evangelical community to shine.  You’re all invited to pray that God does a miracle in the lives of this family (2-year old daughter included). Despite his wife’s absence, Eric still wants to meet with me and my fiancée, Kate.  Pray that God would use us to draw them to Him, and that the problem of troubles in this life would not cloud the possibility of them turning to God.

Next, a major problem is present among the peoples of Europe.  If you are reading this on paper, copy this link down to look at it later on the internet.  Otherwise click on the link to see how the population growth among Muslim peoples is changing the face of Europe.  For example, the population growth in France is 1.8 (U.S. is over 2), but Muslim growth rate is 8.1.  Pass this video site on to others, too: (Video)

Pray for wisdom for missionaries in France and all around Europe, especially in my mission, GEM.  We love all peoples as God does and want to see all come to salvation, in rejecting error in beliefs.

Why not finish with good news!  We had a record attendance of 118 (again, our worship area only seats 65!).  Also, I led our worship time recently, and a member of the gospel choir came for the first time from my invitation, and others with her.  Agnès was happy to be in our church, and she wants to get her husband to visit soon.  She may try to get him to a mid-week ministry.  Pray that God does a miracle in both their lives.  Pray for visitors to be discipled and for a new church to start!

Gary DeGraaf
GEM France, www.gemission.org

Gifts can be sent to Greater Europe Mission, PO Box 1669, Monument, CO 80132-1669.  Include a separate note (or on an attached stub) with my name and account number #11350.  Thank you!
(Gifts specifically for upcoming wedding can be sent here, too, but with “wedding” noted.)

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Gary & Wilma Sammons – April 27, 2009

April 27th, 2009

From: Gary & Wilma Sammons
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:59:25 -0500
Subject: Sammon’s Prayer Letter

Sayings from the Sammons

The sunshine and warm weather make us feel like it’s summer; however, the beautiful dogwood trees and azalea flowers tell us that it still is springtime.  It is a blessing to see God’s handiwork and enjoy His wonderful creation!

PRAISE

The On-Line Master’s program, in Spanish, is just about ready to begin the third class with 23 students.

To prepare each class in this Master’s program there are many things that have to be accomplished before the class is ready to teach; selecting a professor with an earned doctor’s degree; finding a teaching assistant who speaks Spanish, translating all of the class notes from English into Spanish, distributing textbooks to Venezuela, Mexico, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Peru and training the teaching assistant to use our Internet system.  These are a few of the things that have been keeping Gary busy.

PRAYER REQUESTS

We appreciate your faithful prayers for our ministry with the Spanish Publication and Theological Curriculum division of Baptist Mid- Missions. (EBI)

  • Please pray that we will find the man of God’s choosing to serve as our EBI director. Our co-worker, Bruce Burkholder, is doing a great job as acting director but we know his heart is in other aspects of the ministry.
  • Please pray for the students in the Online
    Master’s program.  They need encouragement to keep on the course!!
  • Please pray with us about Gary’s health.  After the serious health problems last November we were hoping that things would just continue to get better. Because there was so much trauma to his body the doctor told us that the non-Hodgkins Lymphoma has once again become active.  Therefore, he has prescribed more chemotherapy.  This certainly has not taken our Lord by surprise…Our times are in His hands, and we know   that all our steps are ordered by the heavenly Father.   We would appreciate your prayers as Gary has chemo from April 28th through May 1st.  Pray for physical strength and success to put the cancer back into remission.

Thank you for being partners in prayer with us.  The ministry at EBI is going into many Spanish speaking countries, and you a very important part of reaching and teaching souls for the Savior.  God bless!

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Lloyd & Athena Peace – April 25, 2009

April 25th, 2009

From: Lloyd and Athena Peace
Subject: Amazon Ambassador March Update
Date: Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:44:40 -0400

We’ve been trying to get this out since March 31st.  ABWE’s e-mail system had a crash and during the recovery process, they moved the management of the e-mail services to another provider.  Unfortunately, we still have not been able to get our prayer letter out by e-mail and are working with the computer guys at ABWE to try and get the issue worked out.  This is the first time our snail mail letter reached people before the e-mail letter did.  Thank you for your understanding in the delay of this reaching you.  Unfortunately, with these difficulties, we do not have access to our prayer letter mailing list.  We have reconstructed it to the best of our abilities.   Also, if you have sent us an e-mail and have not heard back from us, we likely did not receive it.  If that is the case, please resend your note to us.  Thanks.

Lloyd and Athena

“And the things that thou has heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”    2 Timothy 2:2

Your prayers are an integral part of the ministry here in the Amazon.  Thank you for your faithfulness in ministering to us in this way.  We covet your continued prayers.

Betania

Elildo and I are excited that the Bible Institute classes in Betania resumed two weeks ago.  This continues to be a highlight during the week for both of us.  We are thrilled to have nine new students between the morning and afternoon classes.  Elildo and I, with the help of a coworker and many of our students, were able to complete the remodeling of the old mission house.  We removed several interior walls and now have a large open area for meeting.  We still need to paint the wooden floor, but hopefully can get to that in the next month or two.

After a review, the morning class is continuing the chronological study through the Bible that focuses on God’s plan of redemption.  They have about eighteen more lessons to complete and then we will have a graduation for them like we already had for the afternoon class.  Elildo is now teaching the majority of this class with just a bit of input from me here and there.  It is evident that he enjoys this ministry.  Elildo has been a blessing and I am thankful that God provided me with a faithful young man to train.

The afternoon class has started a basic study of doctrine.  Our original plan was to spend about six weeks on each of the ten major doctrines.  But after the first two classes, I think that time frame was overly ambitious on my part.  Our goal is to see the students have a good understanding of the material.  We want them to be able to reason out answers.  Where we live, students are not taught how to do this in school.  They can get away by just spitting back memorized responses that they do not necessarily understand.

Yesterday was a good example of this very thing.  We were talking about Psalm 119:11 and I asked, “What is this verse telling us to do?”  Of course, they responded “hide God’s Word in our hearts.”  As I expected, they spit back word for word what the verse said.  So I questioned further, “What does it mean to ‘hide’ God’s Word in our hearts?”  I was met by blank looks.  No one could explain what it meant.  Wanting to leave the meaning of the word ‘hide’ very clear in their minds, I took a piece of scrap paper and said “let’s pretend this is a page of the Bible”.  I went to one of my students, pulled out my pocket knife, pretended to cut his chest open and stuck the paper by his heart.  Then I asked “Is that what this verse is talking about?”  Laughingly, they all agreed that was definitely not what the verse meant.  I asked again “What does it mean?”  One student then said that it meant we had to put it in our minds.  I asked the class how a person could do that.  No one answered.  So I took the same piece of scrap paper, wadded it up and stuck it in my ear.  I then asked “Is this what the verse is telling us to do?  I am sticking it my mind.” They laughed again and said “No!”  Next, I put the paper in my mouth and chewed on it, pretending to swallow it.  That is when someone said “Oh, we should memorize Scripture!”  We had a good talk about studying, memorizing and meditating on the Bible.

Please pray that Elildo and I will be able to effectively communicate Bible truths to the Ticuna Indians.  Our hearts’ desire is that those who are studying will use what they are learning to help strengthen their local church.

Amatura

Pastor Mario left at the beginning of the year so the church is without a pastor.  There are about 16 families in this congregation.  Pastors in our area are VERY difficult to come by.  Financially, they cannot support a full time pastor.  Realistically, they need to find someone willing to have a part time job outside of the church.  Julia and I went up earlier this month as I spoke at the church’s anniversary celebration.  There is no one in the church now who is qualified to lead the church on an ongoing basis.  The man who has assumed the bulk of the preaching responsibility said he had a commentary and another study help or two and that is what he is using to prepare his sermons.  The church has asked for someone to come at least monthly to help out with preaching.  Pastor Jaco (local pastor from Santo Antonio) is prayerfully considering how the church here can help the church in Amatura.  Athena and I had already been praying about how God would have us to help the church when Pastor Mario first said he was planning to leave.  We believe God wants me to help meet this need.  But, I need to think through how that will affect classes in Betania.  Right now, Elildo and I leave Santo Antanio at 8am Monday mornings headed to Betania for the day.  We return around 6pm.  I need to see if once a month the students in Betania would be willing to meet on a different day.  Pray for God’s leading in all of this.

Your partners in reaching the world for Christ,

Lloyd, Athena, Julia, Jessica, Jacob, and Lucas Peace

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Gary DeGraaf – April 3, 2009

April 3rd, 2009

Missions wherever YOU are    April, 2009 (Vol. 9, #4)

All Because of His Power

This month of April includes our celebration of Easter and Jesus conquering death’s hold on us.  Hallelujah!  Christ arose!

One observation about France that I have had since my arrival nine years ago is the lack of true joy.  Some French friends have come to my gospel choir concerts and remark that there’s something special that they see, usually in comparing our choir with others, and that is from a secular choir with just a few Christian members.  Others in my choir are surprised and moved to emotion when they hear our guest singers (all Christians) give their testimonies and sing with joy.  People need the gospel, the good news of Jesus, and during Easter season, it is for all of us to show that joy and tell all we can.

Kate and I praise God for our recent visit to Lille, where we will move in June.  Pray for moving plans before the wedding in July.  Kate has a contact for a job already-praise God He is in control!

Keep praying for Boris and Jean-Michel, that they meet God personally this month.

Pray also for Eric, and his wife Nathalène (Eric in English café and Nathalène singing gospel).  Eric wants to meet with me and my fiancée, Kate.  Pray that God would use us to draw them to Him.

There are gospel concerts and rehearsals in each of the next three months, so pray for meetings with the gospel choir members during those times and privately.

Easter weekend in our church in Tours will be a time for sharing and inviting friends and family.  A video about the Bible and a Jewish dinner will be featured.

Our church will also have a teaching time during the weekend of April 17-18 on the family.  Pray for those friends of church members that may be interested, but pray especially for our church families to become stronger.  This will be a real need as our church looks to establishing leaders, and as my middle school group matures.  Pray that God strengthens and uses families to reach others.

I will lead worship April 26, and I will invite many members of the choir again.  Some find it difficult to come on Sunday morning (very French to sleep in or go to local food markets then), but let’s pray that God does something special.  Pray that I may have further contact with them.

For all these plans, pray before these dates if you can, but don’t stop there.  There may be a seed planted that will need watering.  Keep praying!  Thanks for your love for the people of France.

Gary DeGraaf
GEM France, www.gemission.org

Gifts can be sent to Greater Europe Mission, PO Box 1669, Monument, CO 80132-1669.  Include a separate note (or on an attached stub) with my name and account number #11350.  Thank you!
(Gifts specifically for upcoming wedding can be sent here, too, but with “wedding” noted.)

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Gary DeGraaf – February 24, 2009

February 24th, 2009

Missions wherever YOU are    March, 2009 (Vol. 9, #3)

His Timing and His Faithfulness

Just as I recently wrote about the ministry taking time, slowly but surely, and about God’s faithfulness through it all, I was greatly encouraged this month.  Read and praise God with me, and continue praying without ceasing for God’s mission work all around the world.

For example, Boris (of gospel choir) had been simply an attendee, looking in from the outside, so it seemed.  He found the people to be nice, the music nice, and the messages understandable, after his initial fears of us were assuaged.  At the end of February, he wanted to be involved more, with singing in our choir or with bringing a cake to share.  These things are nice, but we ate together after church one Sunday and he finally opened up about seeing the desire in people to have a relationship with Christ, and the drive in me and others to serve God wholly.  Continue to pray for his development!!

Jean-Michel is reading the Acts (having read the Gospels) but retaining not much more than historical comments.  Pray that he sees the Holy Spirit acting in these stories and in his life.

Jean-Michel was the first choir member to come to my church, and Boris the second.  I have had several visitors from the English Café but mostly students who are no longer here.  God’s good timing was seen late February when Boris came, but also Jean-Michel came back, and five others from the choir or English Café-seven in all!  I led worship that morning and gave the gospel. Pray for Martine, who was touched and her interest revitalized from past church experiences, as God removes the hurt from her seeing hypocritical religious people.  Pray for Patricia, divorced and interested in a ministry toward that people group.  Pray for Eric, that he finds the one and only true God, possible if he is not stopped by past Catholic religion failures.  His wife Nathalène loves singing gospel and their child Clémence is adorable-pray for them, too.

In preparation for my upcoming marriage in England, I am required to get a visa specifically for the marriage ceremony.  The main office rejected my first application, so I doubled the paperwork and included a letter of explanation of documents, and I was approved.  I was frustrated after the rejection, but I realized later that, had I been approved, my visa would have expired four days before the wedding date!  God’s timing is such that I can be married officially in the church in England to my British bride Kate, and we praise Him for that answer to prayer and His timing.

The author of Psalm 89 talks about God’s “faithful love” (verse 24) and although he questions this later during hard times (verse 49), he knows to respond in verse 52 with praise.  I do the same!  Let us pray for France to come to Jesus, and let us praise God for His faithful love in all His actions.

Gary DeGraaf
GEM France
www.gemission.org

Gifts can be sent to Greater Europe Mission, PO Box 1669, Monument, CO 80132-1669.  Include a separate note (or on an attached stub) with my name and account number #11350.  Thank you!
(Gifts specifically for upcoming wedding can be sent here, too, but with “wedding” noted.)

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Lloyd & Athena Peace – February 10, 2009

February 10th, 2009

From: Lloyd J. Peace
Subject: Another update on Julia
Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:44:57 -0400

Dear Friends,

Julia was scheduled for 2 different hearing tests yesterday.  One machine was broken, so she just had one done.  That test showed her hearing in both ears to be within normal limits.  We are thankful for that.  She saw the doctor yesterday as well.  He said he is not going to release her yet.  He’d like to see her back in June or July for a follow up visit.  At that point, he will also have her do the 2nd hearing test. She’ll need to continue on the antibiotic for a few more days.  Overall, he said he was pleased with how she’s recovered.  He really thought she’d end up needing to be hospitalized and probably needing surgery.  We are praising our Great Physician for His loving care during this time.

Lloyd went this morning to do his eye and psych exam which are prerequisites for a driver’s license in Brazil.  He needs to go back Monday morning to redo one part of the test.  This test was timed and he was told to make as many freehanded straight lines of the same size as he could within this time frame.  Come to find out, there was a minimum of 300 straight lines needed.  He had less.

We called this morning and my thryoid aspiration results are not back yet.  They said to check at the end of the week and maybe they’d be available.  If not, they will fax the results up to Santo Ant=F4nio when they are available.

We are excited to be headed home finally on Feb. 17th.  That is the soonest we could get passage out of Manaus.  Our 1 1/2 week trip has turned into a month long trip.  Continue to pray for us as I work to get the girls caught up with their schoolwork  (we’re about 9 weeks behind) and Lloyd and Elildo make plans to restart studies in Betania.

Thank you all for your faithful prayers for our family during these past weeks.  God’s blessings have been evident.

Lloyd and Athena
Julia, Jessica, Jacob and Lucas

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Gary DeGraaf – February 5, 2009

February 5th, 2009

Missions wherever YOU are    February, 2009 (Vol. 9, #2)

Slowly but Surely

Last month I indicated that I am looking forward with high anticipation to what God will do in my life and the lives of my friends, family, and the people in France, in 2009.  Already I see positive change in many people here, so please keep praying for them!

Boris and I have had many conversations since he started coming to church (I accidentally put another name “Bruno” last month when I should have written Boris).  After church one Sunday I asked Boris if he wanted to eat somewhere, and he agreed.  He suggested McDonald’s.  I tried to dissuade him, but alas no.  I don’t know about the US McDonald’s in recent years, but here I can order as I walk in and have the meal brought directly to my table.  I never did see a cashier or wait in line.  Whoa. Classy.

Back to our discussion, I learned about Boris’ past and about religious leaders who he found to be both hypocritical and hyper-critical.  He said he was afraid to even come to my church for fear that we were a cult.  It is a slow process, but he has heard the gospel several times with me.  I gave him literature to read over and think about.  He has a Bible although he has not mentioned reading anything in particular.  Keep Boris in your prayers for France.

Sounds like Jean-Michel, doesn’t it?  Remember that he took his time to examine the church from the outside three times before coming in.  He’s been reading his Bible regularly (and systematically!).  He read all the gospels and he’s ready to take on Acts.  He has not come to church recently, though, and he resists any formal discussion (or really informal as well).  As always, pray for Jean-Michel and Bruno.  Pray for other members of the choir to take a step forward towards Jesus.

Language café allows me to start conversations with people, and if I don’t see these people every week, momentum is lost.  Pray that regular conversations and meetings can happen with people who are truly seeking, even if it is part of a slow process.

The church in Tours is still fluctuating in terms of numbers of those attending, even a year after our move further north.  The main meeting place is full each Sunday, and we are moving more towards giving duties to the locals, and away from missionary involvement.  Pray for the core group of committed people to grow and stabilize, and for others to be committed.  Pray that a clear, God-honoring vision is communicated, for the local North Tours body, as well as in the suburbs, where a church is anticipated in the future.

Slowly may go against our plans, but if it’s surely, that means it’s in God’s plans.  Praise God for his wisdom and guidance and faithfulness!

Gary DeGraaf
GEM France
www.gemission.org

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Lloyd & Athena Peace – February 5, 2009

February 5th, 2009

From: Lloyd J. Peace
Subject: Julia Peace – update
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2009 22:23:15 -0400

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your continued prayers for our family.

Julia’s CT scan came back showing a definite case of mastoiditis.  This is an infection of the bone just behind the ear.  The bone in this area is like honeycomb and when there is pus in there, the pressure of it can break down the thin walls of this “honeycomb”.  When that happens, there needs to be surgical intervention to clean out the area and drain it.  We are so very thankful that Julia’s CT scan did not show evidence of this.  Praise the Lord that Julia’s infection was caught very early on and that antibiotic treatment was started promptly.

The doctor said that these days, mastoiditis is not a very common thing. We are thankful that God intervened in our travel plans so that we were here in Manaus when this happened.  Julia is to continue on antibiotics for 15 more days.  The doctor also wants to get a hearing test done first thing Monday morning.  Julia lost hearing in her affected ear the evening that all of her symptoms hit.  The doctor had said at that point that it would take 2-3 days of antibiotic and steroid therapy before her hearing would start to come back.  After having mastoiditis, there is a possible risk of developing some degree of hearing loss.  He wants to see Julia back on Monday afternoon and if all looks well, we’d be free to head home.

Lloyd went right after the doctor’s appointment to buy tickets on the express boat for Tuesday (it only heads upriver once a week).  The tickets were already sold out.  The next available date to leave would be February 17th.  We looked into the possibility of flying up to Sao Paulo and then catching the slow boat back down to Santo Antonio, but tickets are quite a bit more expensive than the express boat.

Lloyd had been working on getting his Brazilian driver’s license and only needed to take a test.  The test is given twice a month and next Tuesday is one of those days.  Tomorrow he will be going to the driver’s licensing station to sign up for the test.

Today, we had some interesting conversations.  Athena was talking with a young lady who said she “used to go to church”.  Athena asked her why she no longer attended and that opened a door for a good talk.  Lloyd had a quite interesting conversation with a taxi driver who had some pretty far out ideas about God and the Bible.  He does not believe that the whole Bible is true.  He believes that things written so long ago have no application for us today.  He thinks it is important to go to church so his kids will stay off of drugs and not get into trouble.  Please pray that these two will seriously consider today’s conversations and that they would desire to have right relationships with God.

Thanks again for your prayers and encouragement.

Lloyd and Athena Peace
Julia, Jessica, Jacob and Lucas

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