Dear Partners in Ministry,
There are days when the news I hear from the missionary
family, Kathy and I are privileged to work with, reminds me of the Book of Job.
Did you know that:
·
The parents and grandparents of missionaries die
at the same rate—1 each—as everyone else’s mom, dad, and grands?
·
Missionary kids get sick, like our kids?
·
Missionaries’ cars break down at inconvenient
times? (Trust me; I know about this one.)
·
Ducks don’t line up just because someone has the
title of missionary.
·
Unlike most of the rest of us, many missionaries
deal with all of the above, and a great many more things that regular folk are
only vaguely aware of.
Our goal as Missionary Care Associates is to be listening ears, compassionate friends, fellow grievers and rejoicers as the situation demands, someone who loves on the MKs (missionary kids) and more. We want to be there for these dedicated servants.
We greatly appreciate your prayers on our behalf.
·
In our last prayer letter, we asked you to pray
for Kathy as she spoke at a women’s retreat in New Hampshire. The experience
went well. I heard good reports about her ministry. We are very thankful to two
dear friends for their help with logistics.
·
The recent death of a lovely friend and
fellow-servant reminded to not take the measure of health we have for granted.
Thanks for your part in that, through your prayers.
·
Mike, my supervisor at LMUSA, whom I mentioned
in our last letter, continues to deal with weakness and tiredness. He is
seeking further medical counsel.
There are several things going on right now and in the near
future in our ministry. Please pray with us.
·
We are staying in touch with a life-long
missionary, one of the toughest, most caring, faithful missionaries--or just
anybody--that I’ve ever met. Our friend came perilously close to the “end of
the rope” recently. Kathy has carried most of the weight on this one. It will
likely involve a long trip for her sometime in the next six months. Please pray
for our associate. Ask God for wisdom for us.
·
All human organizations are made up of humans
with all our hang-ups and issues. Pray for the leaders in our mission as they
try to help us work smoother and more effectively. This should encourage you to
pray for them. Sometimes they listen to me.
·
I continue the simple practice of sending
birthday greetings (sometimes late) to all our missionaries (at least those who
let us know when their birthday is). On behalf of the mission, I send gifts to
the MKs. Pray that this simple act will help communicate, “You are loved.”
·
January 1, I’ll be flying to Zambia. It’ll be a
busy couple of weeks. We have several missionaries at Amano Christian School,
in Chingola. I’ll be doing what I did for decades, pastoral visitation, with
them and probably some other servants of our Lord. I’ll be the Spiritual Life
speaker at the staff training session before the new school term starts up.
I’ll be Uncle Howard to some kids.
I’ve also been asked to be the speaker at the Zambia Baptist Association
Leaders Conference. One of our missionary couples works with this group. I’ve
been asked to address the question, “Why am I a leader?” I am to speak eight
times, five on one day and three the next. As of yet, I don’t even know exactly
how to ask you to pray. Just pray! Romans 8:26-27 is appropriate.
·
I’ll be making two trips to New Jersey in the next couple of weeks. One as a presenter in a fundraising event. I’ll be representing PIU. The other for the mission’s fall Board meeting.
Your generous giving in the past has made these current
activities possible. Obviously, some of what I just mentioned will make a hit
on our account. I’d be out of line to compare myself with the Apostle Paul, but
I do consider you to be faithful supporters as were the folks in the Philippian
church.
You have done well to
share with us in our ministry . . .. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I
seek for the profit which increases to your account . . .. We have received what you have sent, a
fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply
all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians
4:14-19, personalized by hm )
By His Grace,
Kathy & Howard
