Howard & Kathy Merrell, caring for those who are reaching.
Dear Partners in ministry,
As I write, I’m reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul to
the church at Philippi. Your partnership with us is a great encouragement. “I
want you to receive a reward for your kindness. . .. [We are] generously
supplied with the gifts, [prayers, and encouragement]. . .. They are a
sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.” (Philippians
4:17-18, NLT)
Kathy is moving through the challenges her chemo treatments
bring with grace and trust in the Lord. Right now, she is in a good time—a good
time made even better by a visit from our boys, their wives, and two of our
grandkids. Time at the lake, good food, a week-late celebration of Kathy’s
birthday, and time together are much appreciated.
People often ask us if we are planning another trip. Right
now, nothing is in the works. We, especially Howard, are open to travel for ministry,
though right now Kathy’s schedule takes precedence. We stay in regular
communication with our missionary family, through email, social media, and video
calls. Please pray that we can be an encouragement to those on the front-lines.
Here are some points of praise and prayer requests. Please
take special note of the request concerning Alan and Lisa Flowers.
·
We are thankful for the good care Kathy is
receiving. Please pray for continued strength and grace for Kathy. She has
three more of the heavy, three-drug, make-your-hair-fall-out infusions, then
ten (or so) more of one-drug, less-difficult infusions. Her infusions are three
weeks apart.
·
We thoroughly enjoyed a visit by the Farnsworths. When you are
passing by, please let us know.
·
The Anderson
family, new missionaries in Ecuador, are doing well. A big request for them
is they need to buy a vehicle. Pray for wisdom for them.
·
Missionaries get discouraged. Pray for them and
encourage them as you are able. Being away from those you love and familiar
surroundings takes a toll. Then there is the inevitable friction that comes
from people working together in often difficult circumstances. Pray that we’ll
have wisdom to help.
·
Transitions are tough. There are the becoming
transitions, like the Andersons, then there are the leaving, slowing down,
stepping back transitions. These servants are worthy of honor for their faithful
service. Pray for us as we seek to walk with our missionary colleagues through
these transitions and the time in between
·
I, Howard, have gotten to know Alan and Lisa Flowers, new/old
missionaries with LMUSA. Over 25 years ago they served for a short time at
Pacific Islands Bible College, now PIU,
where Kathy and served. The Flowers are now young retirees. They recently left
a long fruitful pastoral ministry and are headed back to PIU, where Alan will
teach Bible and Theology. They will be mainly self-supported in their work on
Guam. PIU is providing them with an on-campus apartment. It’s the one that
Kathy helped furnish and decorate, where we lived for most of our time on Guam.
It needs a new air-conditioner (split unit) for the living room. I’ve taken on
the project of raising the $1500 needed for this unit. Let me know if you want
to join Kathy and me in providing a cool welcome for Lisa and Alan.
·
LMUSA has a new Global Ministries Director. Pray
for Rob Johnson as he works
with General Director Chris Matthews, and the rest of us.
Thanks for your partnership with us as we seek to encourage
the worthy servants who are serving around the world.
By His Grace,
Howard & Kathy
