Home: News Archive: July-August 2005
(August 15, 2005)
Dear friends,
This is George with a quick update in case you were wondering about a couple of things...
Angie has completed her New Zealand missions trip and is home and doing fine. Her tonsils have settled down with the help of antibiotics and your prayers.
Lisa is still in Nicaragua and plans to be there until mid-October. Her finances are a bit uncertain as one donation for $500 was promised but has not yet been given. Her cash flow presently is basically at zero. Nonetheless, she is very upbeat and happy for the privilege to be serving the Lord.
We have received no further word about Mike's visa application. At least, it's probably not yet been rejected. Keep praying for God's will to be done.
My ankle continues to heal. I am in physiotherapy 2 days a week to restore range of motion and strength to the muscles. I have a slight limp and can't yet do a marathon (or even a sprint), but can usually walk without extra support. I use a walking stick when I am out for any length of time. Hopefully, that too will soon be a thing of the past. Thank you for your prayers.
George for all,
-------------------
Urgent Prayer News Flash! (August 2, 2005)
Yesterday, we were called by Angie's team leader in New Zealand to tell us that she had been taken to hospital with severe coughing and vomiting. She has developed tonsillitis and is now on antibiotics. Pray for her speedy recovery. She also lost her phone card and spending money. A time of testing to follow the recent mountain-top experience of leading a Samoan teen to Christ.
George's leg is making good progress despite a couple of setbacks. Every day brings new steps forward. Praise God!
Please keep in prayer for Mike and his safety. The study permit application for Canada is still in process, but the verdict will no doubt be in soon.
Yours in Christ, George for all
--------------------
This Boot Was Made For Walking...
You may remember that I (George) badly broke my ankle on May 20, requiring surgery and permanent hardware on the legbone. At the beginning of July, my fiberglas cast gave way to an "air-boot." I started to put weight on my foot, first with the support of 2 crutches, then only one, and finally, just the boot. Now I am weaned off the boot and using crutches or a cane, depending on how the leg is doing. Today I awoke to painful tendonitis in the knee above the broken ankle. Apparently, it's not uncommon for this to happen, but hopefully, it will pass quickly so I can get back to real progress in learning how to walk again.
Getting the Royal Treatment
Due to my broken ankle, I had to cancel a few meetings and postpone our 25th anniversary plans, but I did manage to travel to Messiah College in Pennsylvania for our annual ABWE Missionary Enrichment Conference where I teach on Islam. For the first time, I flew to the conference instead of driving. Thankfully, I had wheelchair assistance at the airports, and a golf cart with driver to get me around the college campus. I was treated like a king!
Karen's English Students
For some time now, Karen has conducted a special adult Sunday School class for people who are English-learners. It has been a great opportunity for Karen to use her TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) training and share the gospel at the same time. Her students have much appreciated her efforts--so much so that they try to show up for her class even when they can't make it to the church service afterward! Recently, we showed the Passion of the Christ film to the students at our home to reinforce the Bible teaching in class. It was especially delightful to meet the husband of one of Karen's students for the first time who came over to watch the film! Pray for Harry's salvation. This week, Karen begins to teach English to a Japanese couple not connected to our church. Pray that this will turn into future opportunities to share Christ with them.
Alisa and Angelie
Our daughter Lisa (19) is serving as a missionary in Nicaragua until October. She wrote concerning a recent 5-day trip to a mountain village, "there was no electricity except for a little bit of solar power before we went to bed, and we used an outhouse and an outdoor shower, well bucket shower in a little enclosed area... with many bugs, and there was a scorpion on my towel! But it was still really fun...just stretching!" She added, "my spanish is getting better I think. I can understand like half of what people say, and can talk if I want to." Angie (16) received all her need financial support and is now doing street evangelism in New Zealand! She called us after midnight a few days from ago from a mall. Excitedly, she shared how that after sharing her testimony with a young woman, the woman placed her faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour! She didn't have her own Bible, so Angie offered her own, which was gratefully received.
"Mike"
Our efforts to obtain a study permit for "Mike" to come to Canada are still in process. The extra information requested by the embassy where he is, has been supplied and the application is being considered. We will let you know the outcome as we receive news here. Please pray much about this matter, and feel free to ask us for more information. As always, thank you for praying in all matters. We appreciate so much your commitment to the Lord and to us.
Yours in Christ,
George for all
July 2005
Statement of Accountability, ABWE Canada:
Spending of funds is confined to board approved programs and projects. Each restricted contribution designated towards a board approved program or project will be used as designated, with the understanding that when the need for such a program or project has been met, or cannot be completed for any reason determined by the board, the remaining restricted contributions designated for such program or project will be used where needed most.
|
