PRAISE ITEMS:
1. TRIP TO MICHIGAN – Thanks so much for your prayers for Al and me as we participated in a missions conference at one of our supporting churches in Michigan on Oct. 24-28.
God blessed us with:
a. Safety on the roads and no car trouble.
b. Good health and the ability to participate in all of the meetings and activities.
c. Visits with family and friends.
d. New acquaintances at the church and “on the road”. I, Mickey, was especially thrilled to talk with several Filipinas at a rest stop on our way to Michigan! It was like being ‘back home’ in the Philippines! ~smile~
2. GOD’S TIMING – On Oct. 24 (just a couple hours before Al and I were scheduled to speak to the youth at the first session of the missions conference), I felt compelled to call my Dad in Pennsylvania to see how he was doing. This was definitely God’s timing,
because at that very moment Dad’s doctor was there examining the sores that she’d been treating on one of his toes. Less than a week before, when she had examined the toe, she had recommended Dad see a wound care specialist, but the soonest appointment he
could get was Nov. 7. She was concerned to find that a small spot of gangrene had developed since she had examined the toe and now recommended he be admitted to the hospital for treatment or possible amputation of the toe. As soon as I hung up from talking
with the doctor, I called my sister Margie to let her know what was happening. She had just arrived at Dad’s retirement home that very moment to visit him – God’s timing – and was able to take him to the hospital and help him over the next two days while he was a
patient there. If she hadn’t been there to help Dad, my participation in the missions conference would not have been possible.
3. ONLINE RISK MANAGEMENT MEETINGS – We made good progress during our November 1 video conference on reaching a final proposal for the Live Online Listing of Bibleless Peoples that Wycliffe USA is considering. This risk assessment and risk management process for such an information sharing program has been quite interesting as I facilitated the discussions and brought input from my experience. This proposal will now go to the Wycliffe USA leadership and a development team who will work out the details on how this will be put into action.
4. AL’S TRIP TO KANSAS CITY – November 6 found me flying to Kansas City to join with a team of security trainers to work with a large group of college students preparing for overseas mission service. Over the next five days, we worked with them on dealing with threats such as carjacking, government interrogation, hostage survival, and many other issues. One of the roles I played was a government interrogation officer. It was a good opportunity to help them see what it is like to face an uncomfortable official situation like this. I was very impressed with the dedication of these students and will be praying for them as they leave in January for four-month overseas
assignments alongside experienced missionaries.
PRAYER ITEMS:
1. MICKEY’S DAD – When Dad was in the hospital, the doctors soon realized that amputation of his toe was not a viable option because of his many other health issues. The gangrene has now totally taken over his toe, so his doctor recommended he begin receiving hospice care. We praise God that is still able to enjoy many of the activities at his retirement home. He is ready to meet Jesus, but all of these changes are rather overwhelming for him and have taken a toll on him (and our family) emotionally. Thanks for keeping all of us in your prayers.
2. MULTIPLE EXTENDED FAMILY ISSUES – We’d appreciate your prayers for wisdom and strength (physically, spiritually, and emotionally) for us and for some of our extended family members who are going through very challenging times.
3. FINANCIAL PROVISION – We have been blessed to be part of the work of Bible translation since 1984. We would like to keep on doing so for as long as God enables us to do the work, but many of our financial partners are now elderly and no longer able to be part of the work financially. Would you pray with us for God’s provision of the $735/month that we need to make up the shortfall and be able to continue in this ministry? Thank you!
4. AL’S UPCOMING TRIP TO ASIA – November 30, I will be on my way to Penang, Malaysia for consultations with the leadership team working there on their safety and security preparedness. I will also be participating in planning meetings with the SIL Asia Area team as we look into the months ahead and set our priorities. I very much appreciate your prayers for this trip and look forward to seeing how the Lord answers.
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