Ministry Change

This week I have sent out letters and emails to both financial and prayer supporters informing them of what the Lord has been doing. I realize, however, that some of you only follow me through my blog, so I wanted to share with you as well.

Thank you so much for your prayers over these past several weeks. Your cards, emails, and words of encouragement have been such a blessing during this time.

My health has been steadily improving since my return to the U.S. on October 31st. Although I still tire a little quicker than before, I am able to maintain a normal schedule again. I miss the ministries in the Philippines, but I have, of course, enjoyed being able to spend time with family. I have also been blessed with the opportunity to stay involved in ministry -- both long distance as I work on projects for the Philippine ministry, and locally as I help out in the GFA home office.

I have been doing a lot of praying and seeking counsel during these past weeks. My lupus has flared up now on two different mission fields. When I got sick in the Philippines, I majorly cut back on my activities, staying almost totally in bed for several weeks. Yet even these radical measures did not seem to improve things. However, when I returned to the U.S., I began to improve almost immediately. Because of these factors, I believe the Lord is leading me to remain here in the States. This is not an easy decision, as it means giving up the one thing I have wanted to do for as long as I can remember. But I am confident it is what the Lord would have me do.

This "setback," however, does not mean that the Lord is without a plan. He has opened the door for me to fill a support role in the home office of Gospel Fellowship Association, my mission agency. I am thrilled with the opportunity to stay involved in missions as I minister to more than 280 missionaries in over 30 countries around the world.

Please know that I appreciate so much your prayers and support over these past years. It has been a privilege to serve the Lord as a missionary, and I look forward to the ministry that He has for me in the future.

Improving

Thanks so much for your prayers over the past weeks. Since arriving back in the U.S. on October 31st, I have been steadily improving, and it seems the flare up has resolved. Presently, I am able to maintain a fairly normal schedule, just requiring more rest than usual as I continue to regain strength.

With the wonders of modern technology, I have been able to work long distance on some projects for the Philippine ministry, continuing work that I had begun while I was there. I am also helping out some in the GFA home office, as I have done in the past.

This past weekend, I had the privilege of traveling to Georgia with a couple of friends to put on a short Christmas program for a church there. The church is quite small, without any musicians (even a pianist), and they seemed to thoroughly enjoy our small effort.

Please continue to pray for a return to full strength and the Lord's clear direction for the future.

Made It!

After twenty hours of travel, I arrived safely in the U.S. last evening. The Lord answered prayer by giving strength for the trip and other small blessings as well. For instance, we were given bulkhead seats for the twelve hour flight. These seats have a little more leg room and made the long flight easier and less painful. All the flights were on time or early, and there were no difficulties with immigration or customs in either country. It was wonderful to arrive in Greenville, SC and be met by my dad and brother. I appreciate so much your prayers and concern. Please continue to pray in the days ahead as I work to recover and make decisions for the future.

Home Again

Thank you so much for everyone that has prayed and expressed concern regarding my recent lupus flare up. After being sick for more than six weeks with no significant improvement, the decision has been made once again that I should return to the U.S. to recover. Lord willing, I will leave here on October 31st (Sunday evening U.S. time) and arrive in Greenville, SC on Monday evening. In God's providence, one of the short term missionaries here was already scheduled to leave and can serve as my travel companion.

I must admit that I am surprised by this turn of events. These circumstances were certainly not in my plan or expectations when I came to the Philippines. However, I am confident that the Lord has a perfect plan and that He will make it clear in the days ahead.

Please pray for strength for the 20+ hour trip and for wisdom for the days ahead.

Thanks!

Thank you so much for your prayers over the last few days. I am definitely improving -- not as quickly as I would like but better nonetheless. I still wear out quickly but the pain has decreased and the energy is better. I have been able to decrease my medicine and am hoping to venture out of the apartment tomorrow. I so appreciate everyone's prayers, messages, texts, and posts. It means a lot!

Prayer Request

As most of you know, I have a chronic disease called lupus that reveals itself in sporadic flare ups of incredible fatigue, joint pain, and generally difficulty functioning. The flare ups are rather unpredictable both in when they come and in how long they last. I have not had a major flare up since the one that forced me to leave Papua New Guinea last September, at least until now.

I have been struggling with a flare for the last few days. I have started medication and see some small improvement, but very slow. I would appreciate your prayers that this would resolve quickly and that I would get back to full strength again soon.

Thankfully, unlike in Papua New Guinea, I am in a more urban setting where I can get the rest that I need. Also, much of my work can be done from my bed, so I am still able to fulfill most of my responsibilities. Thankful to know that "His way is perfect" no matter what the circumstances!

Singles Fellowship

Yet another major event is successfully concluded. Saturday was our first Interchurch Singles Fellowship (but hopefully not the last). We had a good turnout with 85 singles from ten different churches. The folks from my church (pictured here) put a lot of work into it, and it seemed to go well. The theme was Glorifying God in Whatever State You Are. We had three sessions -- the first on Contentment, the second on Living Life to the Fullest, and the third was a divided session on Preparing for a Life's Mate. It was fun and I think we all learned something. Thanks for your prayers!

Also this past week, I had the opportunity to speak to the BJMBC music students about using music in missions. I dressed in traditional Papua New Guinea dress, showed them powerpoint pictures, and shared stories about the ministry. Perhaps the Lord will call one (or more) of them to join that work. I am definitely praying to that end.