Jan 25,2020
The Difference a year makes!
Last year we were in the midst of our lives being turned upside down. I had rushed back to the USA a week prior as mom was starting to decline rapidly. Little did we know Gods prompting was perfect as it was the last week we had with her. God gave us a sweet day of fellowship. She knew I had come home for her and she felt deeply my presence with her. I fixed her hair, did her nails and she ate three meals , her last meals on earth, then the dementia began to win. She could not remember how to drink or eat. She stopped communicating as pain ravaged her tiny frail body. We prayed that God would ease her suffering. She shared her intense desire to be with the Lord. Her life had lost purpose and functionality. The pain was too great for medication to relieve. Her heart was so big!! So full of love. So strong. Her last physical act, when she no longer could even speak or respond , was to kiss her two great grandsons good bye. Then the long night, just mom and me, as her heart valiantly beat until early morning hours. It was not the sweet quiet departure as narcotics caused muscle spasms and jerks. But I held her, lived on her, kissed her until she finally was carried HOME. HOME to her Jesus, waiting with open arms and saying well done!!
Then the reality hit. Life would forever be changed. What to do with my precious dad? What to do with their huge home and all the accumulation of 60 years of their shared life.
Gods answers to each need and question were so overwhelmingly amazing.
Dad has come to live with us here in PNG making our home his home now❤️❤️
We sold the house at above asking price for cash. Then we stayed rent free until May when Bill had completed his eye surgery. ❤️❤️
The sorting and giving and selling of all their things was a challenge physically and emotionally but we were able to use their treasures to bless two mission teams as auctioned and yard sale items were donated.
Many sweet memories were revisited in the sorting process. Precious heirlooms were discovered. It was truly bitter sweet. ❤️❤️
So a year later upside down has been turned right side up in the most amazing way.
Dad is so happy and is thriving in every way. I can hold my daddy and care for his every need while being fully immersed also in our ministry. It is truly the best of both worlds. We stand utterly amazed.
It has been an upside down time for our
Ruthie and Eddie. Two months ago a slit second changed their lives forever. In just two months they’ve had three hospitals and five surgeries to endure. We’ve seen our precious son go from not expected to live to walking unassisted. He is working very hard and there is much work and healing to do still but he may be discharged to follow up with outpatient rehab at their home in Tallahassee soon. They are so eager to get back to some of normal life again.
As I look back on the traumatic year for us with moms sudden home going then reflect where God brought us in the course of a year I have great hope and expectation for our kids as well.
What a faithful God we serve.
Our church ministry took a different path as well. Rapture Baptist church was in need of some building and guidance as they lost their pastor and we’re really struggling. A long time town ministry it is a vital ministry. But Kenemaro still needs “ parenting”. So after great prayer we took on both. We both work at both but we divide and minister each week at two congregations. It’s a LONG DAY but what a special joy to have both combined over Christmas. Village and town. Wealthy and poor. Old and new churches. Blended perfectly as a family of ONE FATHER!! It will be cool to see what a year from now looks like for both ❤️
We have seen much change in the past 6 months as God is exploding His blessing upon GBBC. Seeing the many improvements and new classrooms and soon a new boys dorm and married student housing after years of asking God for provision for these needs has been amazing. Soon to be accredited, Gbbc is really expanding to reach even more young people and prepare them to serve the Lord with excellence. Eager to see finished projects ❤️
A year....365 day....when prayer is added and Gods grace is displayed can bring amazing change!! It’s enough to keep us working hard ONE DAY AT A TIME.
PLEASE PRAY:
1. Pray for our son Eddie to continue to heal.
2 pray for Eddie and Ruthie as they hopefully transition home this week. There will be many adjustments.
3. Pray for our Easter Camp. Just as He left SO WILL HE RETURN!! Ready or not.... HERE I COME. April 20-25!!
WE are looking for 100 sponsors of individual campers of $20 each. If you give we will give you a name of a camper to pray for. We will try to get a picture too.
