Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Update June 9, 2009
Greetings to you all in that precious name. We have been in Manila for the last week or so, watching our grandchildren while our daughter Kim and Larry (Keating) went to Korea with a group from Faith Academy. Larry and Kim had 10 Korean boys in their dorm last year and this was a chance for them to understand the culture a bit as well as visit with the family of one of the boys.
We are excited to be coming home for a brief visit to visit with our daughters Abby and Rachel. Abby is living in the Chicago area with her husband Daniel Fleming and Rachel is living in Connecticut. It will also give us the opportunity to visit with Joyce’s mom and dad, Ken and Elaine Brooks in the Orlando area of Florida.
It will also allow us to visit with our home assemblies, as well as others, to bring a report of the work and to share the word. Since we no longer take furloughs it is nice to have these brief visits home to touch bases with folks at home.
Plans are now well underway for the next series of bible studies at both Navy Base and Baguio Gold. Our next concentration will be on the church local and universal. Many have already expressed that they are looking forward to this series as many things have come along over the years and have been introduced to the assemblies and they are looking forward to seeing what the Scriptures teach in these areas, especially in the area of church leadership, men’s and women’s roles and spiritual gifts. So we are looking forward to this series. Please begin praying with us that this would be a profitable study for all.
Language study is moving along well. But I must admit it will be nice to have a short break. I think we have made some good progress, but I know from my past experience with Tagalog that it will be a while yet before we feel comfortable speaking and conversing in Ilokano. Keep this in prayer as well.
We are excited to be coming home for a brief visit to visit with our daughters Abby and Rachel. Abby is living in the Chicago area with her husband Daniel Fleming and Rachel is living in Connecticut. It will also give us the opportunity to visit with Joyce’s mom and dad, Ken and Elaine Brooks in the Orlando area of Florida.
It will also allow us to visit with our home assemblies, as well as others, to bring a report of the work and to share the word. Since we no longer take furloughs it is nice to have these brief visits home to touch bases with folks at home.
Plans are now well underway for the next series of bible studies at both Navy Base and Baguio Gold. Our next concentration will be on the church local and universal. Many have already expressed that they are looking forward to this series as many things have come along over the years and have been introduced to the assemblies and they are looking forward to seeing what the Scriptures teach in these areas, especially in the area of church leadership, men’s and women’s roles and spiritual gifts. So we are looking forward to this series. Please begin praying with us that this would be a profitable study for all.
Language study is moving along well. But I must admit it will be nice to have a short break. I think we have made some good progress, but I know from my past experience with Tagalog that it will be a while yet before we feel comfortable speaking and conversing in Ilokano. Keep this in prayer as well.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Update May 13, 2009
Greetings to you all in the precious name of our wonderful Savior. Well my latest health saga has finally ended. On Thursday of last week I passed a rather large kidney stone and the relief was almost instantaneous. The hospital never checked me for stones and so I was unaware that this was the cause for all my severe back pain until that time. Since then I have had an ultra-sound which revealed that I still have three more in my left Kidney but they are all considerably smaller than the one I passed, and should not cause great discomfort.
The works continues to go well, it was hard to be on the sidelines for a couple of weeks and to miss a couple of studies that I enjoy teaching, but it was also a learning time for me. For the first time in my life I learned what it was to be totally dependent on another for my care. Joyce was so patient and comforting to me while I lay on the floor in spasm.
I taught this last week at the assembly at Navy Base. It was good to be back teaching again. Currently we are down in Manila with Larry and Kim and the grandkids. We are here for a couple of celebrations. One celebrating 25 years of service of some old friends at Faith Academy, and then this week end we bid farewell to a special couple who have faithfully served the Lord in the assemblies both here in Manila and in Samar since the late 80s. They are returning to New Zealand due to Shane’s health and for two of their children to attend college. We will miss them, although we do not see them often they have had an impact on many lives.
This coming Sunday I will be with the saints at Hillcrest Christian fellowship. Then the following week back to Baguio for some studies and to speak at Baguio Gold on the Lord’s Day.
Thanks so much for your prayers during my hospital stay and home recovery and for the notes that so many of you sent which were so very encouraging to me.
The works continues to go well, it was hard to be on the sidelines for a couple of weeks and to miss a couple of studies that I enjoy teaching, but it was also a learning time for me. For the first time in my life I learned what it was to be totally dependent on another for my care. Joyce was so patient and comforting to me while I lay on the floor in spasm.
I taught this last week at the assembly at Navy Base. It was good to be back teaching again. Currently we are down in Manila with Larry and Kim and the grandkids. We are here for a couple of celebrations. One celebrating 25 years of service of some old friends at Faith Academy, and then this week end we bid farewell to a special couple who have faithfully served the Lord in the assemblies both here in Manila and in Samar since the late 80s. They are returning to New Zealand due to Shane’s health and for two of their children to attend college. We will miss them, although we do not see them often they have had an impact on many lives.
This coming Sunday I will be with the saints at Hillcrest Christian fellowship. Then the following week back to Baguio for some studies and to speak at Baguio Gold on the Lord’s Day.
Thanks so much for your prayers during my hospital stay and home recovery and for the notes that so many of you sent which were so very encouraging to me.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Update May 1, 2009
Well, I arrived home yesterday, late afternoon, from a four day hospital stay.
It all began on Saturday, by our best understanding, when I lifted a LPG tank of cooking gas and three bottles of water. My back was feeling the strain but seemed ok.
When I woke on Sunday morning I knew my back was feeling the effects and I was in some pain. I simply worked through it and spoke at Navy Base in the morning, and Baguio Gold for two hours in the afternoon. I was feeling a bit uncomfortable.
Monday it was still hurting and seemed to be getting worse. Joyce had a PT appointment at 10:30 AM and I drove her up for her appointment and while I was there I tried to walk off the pain and stiffness but it continued to get worse. Finally just by the door to the PT office I had waves of cold sweats and began to get very dizzy and felt as if I was going to pass out. They took me into the ER, where spasms began and I was writhing in pain. Finally the pain reliever was injected and I had relief. I was admitted and remained for the next four days while tests were done, and X-Rays and a CT scan were performed. At first they believed that I had a back fracture, but on further examination by one more experienced at reading the CT scans, it was determined that it is a herniated disk. I really struggled with pain for several days. The Physical Therapy is beginning to help, but I have a ways to go yet.
But it is so nice to be home. I will not be able to do a whole lot these next days and I will not enjoy that, but I know that you will be praying for me.
I was reading this morning; “Though the vine needs sunshine it must also have the darkness." During the night it is said to rest; it does not grow; but it recuperates itself and prepares for the putting forth of fresh energy. During the day it consumes more sap than it can draw up from the root; and during the dark hours of night it is accumulating stores on which to feed. And this may suggest why sometimes after periods of much activity the great husbandman draws down the blinds and plunges us into the black night of hardship…and we need that time in order to recuperate our exhausted vigor and to gather up stores for days to come.”
Encouraging words which my heart needed to hear this morning. He is always so gracious to give what we need when we need it.
Today the assembly at Baguio is down for the chapel retreat down by the shore. Sure wish I could be with them, but our Father knows what is best. I will be out of commission for a few more days. Please be praying that the PT will help ease this problem so that I can get back to work again. I have a lot of things coming up and have left it in His hands.
My prayer is that the PT will get me back on my feet soon. Thanks for your prayers.
I will send another update when I know more.
It all began on Saturday, by our best understanding, when I lifted a LPG tank of cooking gas and three bottles of water. My back was feeling the strain but seemed ok.
When I woke on Sunday morning I knew my back was feeling the effects and I was in some pain. I simply worked through it and spoke at Navy Base in the morning, and Baguio Gold for two hours in the afternoon. I was feeling a bit uncomfortable.
Monday it was still hurting and seemed to be getting worse. Joyce had a PT appointment at 10:30 AM and I drove her up for her appointment and while I was there I tried to walk off the pain and stiffness but it continued to get worse. Finally just by the door to the PT office I had waves of cold sweats and began to get very dizzy and felt as if I was going to pass out. They took me into the ER, where spasms began and I was writhing in pain. Finally the pain reliever was injected and I had relief. I was admitted and remained for the next four days while tests were done, and X-Rays and a CT scan were performed. At first they believed that I had a back fracture, but on further examination by one more experienced at reading the CT scans, it was determined that it is a herniated disk. I really struggled with pain for several days. The Physical Therapy is beginning to help, but I have a ways to go yet.
But it is so nice to be home. I will not be able to do a whole lot these next days and I will not enjoy that, but I know that you will be praying for me.
I was reading this morning; “Though the vine needs sunshine it must also have the darkness." During the night it is said to rest; it does not grow; but it recuperates itself and prepares for the putting forth of fresh energy. During the day it consumes more sap than it can draw up from the root; and during the dark hours of night it is accumulating stores on which to feed. And this may suggest why sometimes after periods of much activity the great husbandman draws down the blinds and plunges us into the black night of hardship…and we need that time in order to recuperate our exhausted vigor and to gather up stores for days to come.”
Encouraging words which my heart needed to hear this morning. He is always so gracious to give what we need when we need it.
Today the assembly at Baguio is down for the chapel retreat down by the shore. Sure wish I could be with them, but our Father knows what is best. I will be out of commission for a few more days. Please be praying that the PT will help ease this problem so that I can get back to work again. I have a lot of things coming up and have left it in His hands.
My prayer is that the PT will get me back on my feet soon. Thanks for your prayers.
I will send another update when I know more.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Update - April 15, 2009
The temperature today in Manila was 95, (Wednesday the 15th) but with the heat index it felt like 108. I am not looking forward to traveling back into that heat tomorrow morning. We have been back and forth to Manila so much these last few weeks that I am growing a bit weary of the trip. But we thank the Lord that He has continued to give safety and blessing on each of our ventures down.
Laarni has had her surgery and all things went very well. Thank you all for praying. The nodules on her vocal cords have been removed and tomorrow in Manila we will learn if she can speak again. It is then that we will learn whether or not the surgery has been a total success or not.
The last session of evening bible school at Navy Base went very well, for which we thank our Lord. We were able to finish up the book of Hebrews and the saints have found the 40 hours we spent in study profitable to their spiritual growth. We still have two remaining classes to teach down in Baguio Gold. This Sunday and next we will finish up the third session for them. Again, we are much encouraged in the desire of the saints to study the word.
Our daughter Rachel paid a short visit to us these past two weeks. It was a joy to have her here with us. She spent a week in Manila with her sister and us and a week here in Baguio.
This morning we had another two hours of Ilokano, and it is beginning to click. I am able to form sentences relatively easily now and our vocabulary is expanding for which we thank the Lord. On my last visit to Baguio Gold I did the entire introduction to our lessons in the letter of Paul to the Ephesians in Ilokano. Again, we used a combination of four languages as we shared with the saints there last week. This week I will be speaking to the assembly at Navy Base. We will be beginning a new series on the life and ministry of Elijah.
Joyce is doing much better. Thank you for all your prayers for her. The medications she is on seem to have really made a difference. The Physical Therapy for her neck continues as well and she goes for several days with out headaches now, which is a blessing indeed.
Some of you will remember Tia Elizabeth Bundok. She is the woman for whom a wheel chair was purchased over a year ago. She has gone home to be with the Lord she loves after so many years of hardship and struggle.
Thanks again for all your prayers, and may the Lord richly bless you.
Laarni has had her surgery and all things went very well. Thank you all for praying. The nodules on her vocal cords have been removed and tomorrow in Manila we will learn if she can speak again. It is then that we will learn whether or not the surgery has been a total success or not.
The last session of evening bible school at Navy Base went very well, for which we thank our Lord. We were able to finish up the book of Hebrews and the saints have found the 40 hours we spent in study profitable to their spiritual growth. We still have two remaining classes to teach down in Baguio Gold. This Sunday and next we will finish up the third session for them. Again, we are much encouraged in the desire of the saints to study the word.
Our daughter Rachel paid a short visit to us these past two weeks. It was a joy to have her here with us. She spent a week in Manila with her sister and us and a week here in Baguio.
This morning we had another two hours of Ilokano, and it is beginning to click. I am able to form sentences relatively easily now and our vocabulary is expanding for which we thank the Lord. On my last visit to Baguio Gold I did the entire introduction to our lessons in the letter of Paul to the Ephesians in Ilokano. Again, we used a combination of four languages as we shared with the saints there last week. This week I will be speaking to the assembly at Navy Base. We will be beginning a new series on the life and ministry of Elijah.
Joyce is doing much better. Thank you for all your prayers for her. The medications she is on seem to have really made a difference. The Physical Therapy for her neck continues as well and she goes for several days with out headaches now, which is a blessing indeed.
Some of you will remember Tia Elizabeth Bundok. She is the woman for whom a wheel chair was purchased over a year ago. She has gone home to be with the Lord she loves after so many years of hardship and struggle.
Thanks again for all your prayers, and may the Lord richly bless you.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Update March 25, 2009
Up date 3-25-09
Greetings to you all in the precious name of our wonderful Savior.
I just finished over three hours of translating my next message for the saints at Baguio Gold from Tagalog into Ilokano. So my brain is just a bit fried right now, but I did want to get an update to you all because we can use your prayers.
I am in the midst of teaching the last ten hours of Evening Bible School to the saints at Navy Base this week. We are attempting to finish chapters 10-13 of Hebrews during the course of the week. It is the fourth and final session of this segment of the Evening Bible school. At the end of this week the saint would have received forty hours of lessons in this wonderful book which so exalts our Savior. Currently we are in the practical application part of our study and I am very much enjoying teaching it. Please pray for these next two nights. We have a lot to cover and we want to be careful to keep a good balance and not, in our haste to make sure we cover the material, leave out that which the Lord would have the saints to learn concerning Himself.
On Saturday we leave in the early morning for Manila. Some of you have been praying for Laarni, one of the women from the assembly at Navy Base, who is in need of surgery on her vocal cords. This Saturday she and her husband Bong will travel with us to Manila once again for a final check up and blood work, so that we can schedule her surgery hopefully for sometime in mid April. Continue to keep this in your prayers.
As many of you also know Joyce has been dealing once again with a host of medical problems. After much testing, X rays, ultra sounds etc she has been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, GERD, and she has deterioration of the bones in her neck, which is the cause of her many headaches. So she is now on meds for her hypothyroidism, which has been the cause of many of her other problems, and she is on meds for the GERD problem. She has been on these meds for a couple of weeks now and we are already seeing some positive results for which we thank the Lord. She is going weekly, three to four times a week for Physical Therapy and traction for her neck, and the results there have been mixed, so please continue to keep her in your prayers.
Our daughter Rachel arrives from the States for a brief two week visit next week. We are so very looking forward to having her with us. It has been 14 long years since she was here last. She is looking forward to seeing all her old stompin’ grounds. Pray for a safe trip for her. She leaves on Sunday and will arrive here late Monday night.
Again, thank you all for your interest in the Lord’s work here among us, and for your prayers. May the Lord richly bless you.
Greetings to you all in the precious name of our wonderful Savior.
I just finished over three hours of translating my next message for the saints at Baguio Gold from Tagalog into Ilokano. So my brain is just a bit fried right now, but I did want to get an update to you all because we can use your prayers.
I am in the midst of teaching the last ten hours of Evening Bible School to the saints at Navy Base this week. We are attempting to finish chapters 10-13 of Hebrews during the course of the week. It is the fourth and final session of this segment of the Evening Bible school. At the end of this week the saint would have received forty hours of lessons in this wonderful book which so exalts our Savior. Currently we are in the practical application part of our study and I am very much enjoying teaching it. Please pray for these next two nights. We have a lot to cover and we want to be careful to keep a good balance and not, in our haste to make sure we cover the material, leave out that which the Lord would have the saints to learn concerning Himself.
On Saturday we leave in the early morning for Manila. Some of you have been praying for Laarni, one of the women from the assembly at Navy Base, who is in need of surgery on her vocal cords. This Saturday she and her husband Bong will travel with us to Manila once again for a final check up and blood work, so that we can schedule her surgery hopefully for sometime in mid April. Continue to keep this in your prayers.
As many of you also know Joyce has been dealing once again with a host of medical problems. After much testing, X rays, ultra sounds etc she has been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, GERD, and she has deterioration of the bones in her neck, which is the cause of her many headaches. So she is now on meds for her hypothyroidism, which has been the cause of many of her other problems, and she is on meds for the GERD problem. She has been on these meds for a couple of weeks now and we are already seeing some positive results for which we thank the Lord. She is going weekly, three to four times a week for Physical Therapy and traction for her neck, and the results there have been mixed, so please continue to keep her in your prayers.
Our daughter Rachel arrives from the States for a brief two week visit next week. We are so very looking forward to having her with us. It has been 14 long years since she was here last. She is looking forward to seeing all her old stompin’ grounds. Pray for a safe trip for her. She leaves on Sunday and will arrive here late Monday night.
Again, thank you all for your interest in the Lord’s work here among us, and for your prayers. May the Lord richly bless you.
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