letter

Already, this is old news with us. God has answered many of these requests, and we are on the mend. Just in case any of you missed the news about Ruth and Hannah --THEY ARE GOING TO THE PHILIPPINES ON AUGUST 6. This will be a two-year missions trip where they will be working in a missionary-run maternity clinic for eight hours every day, apprenticing to be midwives. This "apprenticeship" is also accredited in America where they will receive certification as midwives. I had a single girl come out to help me in the clinic in Liberia, but I was not able to give certification. Since God is coming back so soon, they feel like this will be a great use of their time ---ministering and learning at the same time. They are both equipped to share their faith and lead someone to Jesus, and we are praying that God will use them mightily in the Philippines. Our home church and two individuals have given to help them with their expenses. Please pray that God will supply the remaining funds.

We have truly been PILGRIMS ON THE EARTH ---I really like that song: "We are only pilgrims on the earth, waiting for our Lord to come." We have been traveling this entire furlough and have just rented this place for the next five months. Does that sound like settling down to you? Well, it sounds great to me - even though we do have a trip up to New York in August. I WAS getting tired of the constant sorting and packing in the heat, but now I feel like there is an end in sight. Imagine Abraham traveling in tents all the time without even any books to read. We are truly spoiled. One of our churches - Faith Baptist in Palm Bay, Florida, - is sending out a container of Bibles and pamphlets of John and Romans, and we are trying to send out our stuff in there - lots to give away. Dan and Andy have been loading the container as well. This will help us all not to have so much to take with us.

We are "renting" - though it is minimal, a nice house with a POOL. Just thought I would capitalize that so you could see how God gives us cake along the way - and He does that over and over. Most missionaries go back to the field white --our kids are turning into brown bunnies. We are squished into three bedrooms, with some overflow into the living room, but that keeps the place picked up, and I keep getting rid of one more thing. There are so many of us, we do not have space for junk.

I know you have not heard from us in a while ---always lots going on. Joseph had a cavity, and we were looking for a dentist ---needed to get the tooth pulled. Then we found a very good Christian dentist - no metal, able to do a pulpotomy ---like a baby tooth root canal - saved the tooth (it is a baby molar that is supposed to be there until he is 12) and filled it with white composite. It still cost us $380. Question: "When was the last time you went to the dentist?" - like never? I wish we could have waited for African prices ---$10-$30 max. America, America.

Kids are in and out going to camp. That is a short blip for a lot of activity --sorting, packing, dropping off and picking up. We pray for them, and all the other campers, that God will work in their lives. A great book that they read and did reports on was Do Hard Things. You should get your teens to read it.

Seth's back ---he had a 2-inch cut from gouging it and it was gaping open. So, we decided to sew it shut down here ---this is after a week and a half, already starting to heal. Well, my friend didn't have any lidocaine (pain med). ---Seth said go for it, so I gave him three stitches. That is healed up now. I took the stitches out and am trying to put some oil that has vitamin E in it to help not have a big scar ---it is on his back though, and he is a boy.

This house just got the air conditioning fixed yesterday. I am quite happy about that!! Sorting and packing take on a double meaning in the heat. Dan just says we are getting ready for Africa ---though I did not want to get ready ahead of time. I set up a lawn chair to sit down with Gideon - did not have it set up right or something and the chair collapsed. I sat down hard on the cement and cracked or broke my tailbone. Well, there is nothing to do for that except I am just sitting easy and being careful.

Then there is Esther who did something to her knee (we didn't see her fall or anything), and she wanted to be carried everywhere ---to the table, to the bathroom, etc. We had it in an ace wrap and it only lasted three days. You KNOW we just wanted to carry our three year old around all day. Dan came back the third day, after she got up, and she smiled at him and said, "Look Daddy, I can walk!"

Meanwhile, we have unsaved neighbors that I am friendly with ---praying and witnessing to them. They have a little girl Esther's age, and she comes to play about every day. The mom has gone to church with me a few times, and Ladianna loves to come with us. So you can pray about that ---they are from Albania; the dad speaks English more than the mother. They understand salvation now, and it is their choice.

We want to line up more meetings, and Dan is looking for a good plan for a phone for these next five months. The number on our prayer card does not work. We do have two meetings scheduled but would like to fill up the months of Sept. and Oct.

Also, the Bible Bee has started again ---memorizing lots of verses. This year the focus is Colossians. It is so good to learn God's Word.

Gideon is great, so cute in his bouncy seat - a kind that hooks to the top of a doorway. He is rolling over and is the smilingest (I just made up that word) baby you ever (didn't) see.

God is good. Joseph's tooth does not hurt, I am sitting here without pain, Esther is running around, and Seth's back has healed nicely. On we go.

Pray for boldness always. I do not want God to come back and me thinking that I should have talked to someone. Talk to them today. I want to talk or give a tract to every unsaved person I meet. You might think that is a guilt trip coming on ---maybe. Just do what you should do. We know God is sovereign, and it is He that will draw sinners to Himself. Every Christian is in the army - like it or not. It is a whole lot harder to be bold for the Lord here in America than it is where we are in Africa. So, come on over and join us ---pick some fruit that is ready for harvesting.

What should we say? In His grip? Looking for His return? Pilgrims on the earth? Loving life? Praising Him? Burdens are lifted at Calvary? Thanks for your prayers? Take any closing you like.

Love in Christ,

Joan and Dan,

Ruth Marie, Hannah, Seth, Lydia, Susanna, Isaiah, Stephen, Rebekah, Josiah, Joseph, Esther, and Gideon

letter

I know you have not heard from us in a while; that would be called "Life on the Road." We WERE just waiting for the baby, and now Gideon Luke is already over a month old. We continue to praise God for a safe, smooth delivery and a very beautiful, healthy baby—9 lb. 3 oz. and 21 in. long at birth.

So much has been happening I do not know where to begin, what to tell, and what not to tell. This letter could be labeled “Praise the Lord for His protection and provision while He works on my attitude all the time.” First we went from Michigan to Florida, back to North Carolina, and then back to Florida where we are now. God protected us driving through a blizzard—the roads were covered in snow and it was coming down hard. In North Carolina the snow storm made the power go out for about seven hours. We thought that was not supposed to happen in America.

Also in North Carolina, Ruth was able to do chalk art while Seth preached a great message. I do love to hear Seth preach and watch Ruth do the chalk art. Keep praying that God will use them for great things. We had a great time at a week-long family seminar in Alabama with our mission. That was so useful to us to help get refocused.
On to our huge answer to prayer: You know Ruth and Hannah have been looking at Bible colleges. They have both been accepted to the Newlife International School of Midwifery in the Philippines, which is accredited in America. It is two years and is a ministry opportunity. They will be working there as missionaries while studying midwifery; the tuition goes to caring for the patients.

We arrived for a banquet in St. Petersburg, Florida, after a long trip and with a sick dog. (I just do not know how to keep this short and still tell you how God has taken care of us all along the way.) That same night our housing plans that Dan had just made fell through, as in, we did not have a place to stay at all. The vet even offered for us to park and sleep in our very small camper in their parking lot. We did not think we could do that because it was a cold night, and we would have been very tired Sunday morning. That meant we were looking for a hotel until about 1 a.m. and had a meeting the next morning. At church, one of our friends, Mrs. Stratis, invited us to stay in one of her apartments—a beautiful place at the beach with a heated pool; one that only God could provide. It was fun.

The next week God provided an empty house in Tampa for us to stay in, that belonged to a church there. It was great!! We needed a few things, so we went out immediately to get set up. Not far away we came to a moving sale and pulled in. There was everything we needed—4 sleeping bags, a queen size quilt/sheet set, camping chairs, and extras besides—great prices and stuff in great shape too. We have all the air mattresses and sleeping bags we need. It was so nice to be in a house with space for the kids to run around and do some school as well. Also, the people were so friendly and generous. We made some great friends and also had a meeting in their church. Sometimes missionaries are somewhere for so short a time that they make friends quickly at a deeper level. We really enjoyed our time with them.

On we went farther south in Florida for another missionary conference; God blesses us so much at these. We've had so many opportunities to share, preach, and be blessed. People have been coming forward and talking to the pastors, and at this church, Faith Baptist in Palm Bay, we were able to talk to the AWANA groups. Six or seven kids got saved, and that is the most exciting thing of all. Sure it is great when God takes care of us so well, even if I wish I knew ahead of time what He was going to do; but it is way better to see people getting saved or getting their lives right. My mom and the Messers (my sister and brother-in-law) were part of the conference. Also, a lot of people knew my dad, who is always great to remember and talk about.

Now we are at the Helm's house (Dan's sister Linda and brother-in- law Tom) enjoying some rest and relaxation. They have had us here for almost a week, and the kids are enjoying so much their very heated pool and the great weather. When you go through a hard time, know—this too shall pass; learn what you can, and go on. And when you are going through a great time, know—this too shall pass; praise God, and go on. Praise God in the hard time too, it is just a little bit harder to do.

We are all fine—no sickness at all, although a few aches and pains lets us know we are not getting any younger. Gideon is getting chubby—he is so cute. A good thought, though a sobering one—aches and pains are death whispering in our ears—you will die; are you ready?? Phil. 2—At the name of Jesus every knee will bow and confess that He is Lord. That is such an awesome thought.

Thanks again for your prayers. God has been answering!! Please continue to pray for Ruth and Hannah and their plans for the Philippines and for our plans to return to the Ivory Coast.

Love in Christ,

Joan and Dan,
Ruth Marie, Hannah, Seth, Lydia, Susanna, Isaiah, Stephen, Rebekah, Josiah, Joseph, Esther, and Gideon

a few pictures of Africa

Baby

   Finally a letter from the mom ---Yes, we have a baby boy named Gideon Luke Cuthbertson.  So, I've been in labor for a month --mentally that is --Ha!  No, really since I knew the due date and did not expect to go late, it was not nice waiting.  But we were busy and having a good time in the meanwhile.  Labor started with ctx an hour apart and nothing to speak of.  I'd say true labor started at noon and Gideon was born at 3:15 PM on Tuesday, Feb. 16th.  The girls were all in attendance as well as my mom, sisters Pam and Becky, and of course, Dan. All went well and he is a very beautiful baby.  I feel a whole lot better now that he is out than in and praising God that Gideon is healthy and so beautiful.

    Now we are in Alabama at our mission Family Life Seminar and have been here two days.  It has been so great and already beneficial.  I'm glad we came and it is just great to hear great preaching and teaching from God's Word.  A church here has us in their prophet's chamber and church apartment which are both beautiful.  We all fit so well and it is just a great time of enrichment and relaxation.  One great statement from today is "I must see every person and every circumstance as the Holy Spirit of God coming to me through that person and circumstance to make me more like Christ."  We all know that nothing comes to us except through Christ and yet it is sometimes easy to criticize, get hurt, get frustrated with people who aren't doing what we think they should.  So, let it rest, help people to change if you can, pray a lot,  but leave the feelings and frustrations out of it.

    Thanks for all your prayers!!!  We head to Fl on Friday and hopefully to warmer weather.

Bye for now,

Love in Christ,

Joan

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!! Yes, Jesus IS the reason for the season. That might sound trite or overused, but it is so true. We just heard a great message by Pastor Jackson about how “Happy Holidays” just does not cut it. Holidays must have a reason. Parties are in honor of something or someone; you do not just have a holiday for nothing. We are here celebrating Jesus’ birthday—that is the reason for this whole season. Let us not forget it in all the busyness and bustle of festive activities.

We did go to Washington D.C. where Hannah and Seth competed in the National Bible Bee. They were not the final winners, but all the contestants were winners. It was a wonderful time of focusing on God’s Word and its importance in our lives. The speakers were challenging and the fellowship was great. We were also able to see a bit of our capitol and some of the museums.

Seeing the Holocaust Museum was sad—what a sad history. On the one hand God had said that if the Jewish people rejected Him then all these curses would come upon them. On the other hand we are so guilty for the atrocities done against each other. All of that brought abortion afresh to my mind—our American holocaust. Are we standing by and letting this happen in our own country? I guess we can be like those who helped the Jews and try to educate and help girls to get out of this. I wish we could make it illegal. I have called a few clinics, but that does not seem to do any good. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. Well, not the subject for a Christmas letter—it’s heavy on my heart, and I pray for them.

We have been in Troy, Michigan, for these two months and enjoyed Thanksgiving with Dan’s family. School has been going great. It is so nice when not on the road. Also, Seth, Lydia, and Susanna have had the opportunity to participate in the teen choir with our home church, Evangel Baptist in Taylor. It has been so good to be able to attend enough to get to know people better.

We also attended our BWM conference and enjoyed all the meetings and fellowship. With the falling dollar and the rising prices, we were encouraged to raise more support. Praise the Lord for a church in Tennessee that has taken us on. God is faithful and will continue to take care of us. We try to be good stewards of the money God gives us. Pray for us, though. We know it is hard for everyone.

Continue to pray for the pregnancy. The baby kicks a lot—so cute. We will be traveling again right after Christmas—down to Florida and then to North Carolina. It would be best if the baby stayed in until we got settled again in NC. Besides, all my delivery stuff is there. Pray for a healthy baby and a smooth delivery.

Thanks again for your faithful prayers! MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year—this could be IT, the year Jesus comes back. Let us be ready.

Because He was born to die, we can live.

Joan and Dan,
Ruth Marie, Hannah, Seth, Lydia, Susanna, Isaiah, Stephen, Rebekah, Josiah, Joseph, Esther and ???

Letter

I had this letter started a year ago—how is that? Have you ever wanted something and almost had the goal in reach, only to have it move out of your grasp? I was right there at my ideal weight, ready to come to America all slim and trim when....yes, we are expecting #12. I am always happy to give up the figure for such a great cause. We are happy for this extra blessing God has passed our way. Pray that all goes well and that we have a healthy baby—around February 11.

As for our meetings, we have been enjoying them immensely and feel God working. Just on Sunday, a man said he finally understood and had it clear what salvation really is. The pastor has been talking to him and is ready to do follow-up there. The kids seemed so open as well –I wanted to give an invitation. I am praying for them to approach their leaders and make sure of their salvation. We are here in North Carolina until mid-October and then head to Michigan until January, and then to Florida for my nephew’s wedding, then back to North Carolina to have the baby and back to Florida the middle of February. Pray much for safety in traveling and that God will use us in all of our meetings. I just got back from a ladies’ retreat at a beautiful resort in Boone. God does put us in green pastures. I pray that somehow I was able to encourage someone in the Lord and be used of Him.

The next huge news is that our kids have been involved in the National Bible Bee. (You can look it up on the internet if you would like to know more.) There were 17,000 contestants, and two of ours—Hannah and Seth—made the first cut. That means they are in the top 100 of the senior group and headed to the finals. We are so excited for them and proud of them. They have already memorized more than 1,000 verses, with many more to go, not counting the Bible knowledge questions and books they have read. Anyway, pray much for them that they will study hard and that God will help their memories and recall on the test which will be held in Washington, D.C. on November 4-6. It was at the first Bible Bee meeting that this other church got to know us and asked SETH to come and preach! He did a super job handling God’s Word—Joshua 24 ----Choose who you will serve ---God in sincerity and truth? Or the idols of the land----materialism, music, fashion, cars, etc. It was his first time preaching to white people, and I felt like God really used him and his testimony there.

There are so many stories of God taking care of and providing for us: avoiding accidents, timing, tire blow-out, buying a van, buying a trailer. Each of those words is a story of God’s provision. We are plugging along with school. Some days I want to yell, “I can’t do this!” Then Esther’s verse comes to mind – Phil. 4:13 - “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” So, we will do what we can and go on and not lose our sanity in the meantime.

Thanks for all of your prayers: safety, healthy baby, safe delivery, Hannah and Seth in the Bible Bee, God to bless in the meetings, Ruth as she does chalk art.

In His service, for His glory, and because of your sacrifice,


Dan and Joan Cuthbertson

July 2009

    Hi from America.  We are happy to be back and were able to see great fireworks in Hackensack, New Jersey, at a park not far from where we were staying.  I was able to witness to two ladies and give the plan of salvation clearly—one Jewish and one already saved though not strong in the Lord.  Everywhere you go, people need the Lord.  I think the main thing of evangelism is to get prepared to witness, pray, and be available to God. Get yourself out of the way and open your mouth—the hardest part is getting started.  
    If you did not get all the details of our trip and want a long read, just let me know.  We had a faith- proving trip and saw God’s hand taking care of us all along the way.  That is a beautiful song—“God is too wise to make mistakes.  God is too good to be unkind.  When you can’t see His hand, when you can’t see His plan, when you don’t understand, trust His heart.”  
    Our trip started when two days before leaving, Dan cut off his left thumb at the base of the nail with a table saw.  Men do play with dangerous toys.  There were no facilities to sew it back on in all of the country, and we did not feel we could separate to get him to Paris in that amount of time.  After going to five different clinics and even the main hospital, we got a bone surgeon who sewed it up.  His advice was “Give him some Advil.”  Right.  Dan was in some serious pain, but I had some Tylenol Codeine left by my brother, and that worked great.  Praise the Lord no infection set in! I was able to get the stitches out and just two days ago got out the rest of the packing material that the surgeon had put in and not even told me to get out.  A physician’s assistant in another church saw it and said, “That is packing and needs to come out.”  End of that story is that the thumb is doing great and is healing well.  Thank you for all your prayers.  That is another reason Heaven will be more dear, “Sweetie, you will get your thumb back.”  
    If you want to hear about the left luggage, just ask—it has just arrived at JFK and great friends are driving it over here to Detroit for us.   Many of us have been travelling with only one pair of clothes—but God has been providing and taking care of us.  
    We were able to spend three weeks in Europe in the month of June, showing the kids some of where America started.  We rode enough of the trains, buses, and subways to last a lifetime.  One time we got on the subway and were taking off and looked out the window to see Isaiah still standing on the platform.  Dan was able to go back and get him.   The little ones were tired and thought that was all we did—ride around and arrive back to the same place—smile.  We had great family times, saw most of what we wanted to see, went to Spurgeon’s church (which is going strong and growing), stayed very tired, saw old friends, and lived on the edge of what God had next for us.
      Europe is truly the darkest continent we have visited.  Seth and I would just start singing, “People Need the Lord.”  We witnessed and gave out tracts at every opportunity.  Sometimes I was so tired and just wanted to keep quiet.  The verse about Jesus being filled with compassion when He saw the multitudes as sheep having no shepherd came to me over and over.  We had many meaningful conversations, went through the Evangicube, and followed up with a tract.  I pray for those people to get saved.  
    Now we are in Troy, Michigan, with Dan’s parents.  We have already had wonderful times of renewing friendships.  God continues to go before us, taking care of us every step of the way.  Just last night Isaiah came down with malaria, always a threat when we get too tired; but I have the medicine for that, and he is sleeping peacefully right now.  Hannah just had her bottom wisdom-teeth extracted and is doing well.  Dan has found a nice 15-passenger van for $2500.  We leave here next Thursday, and then the travels begin.  I will not give a list, but we are travelling up and down the East Coast, being in one place an average of two weeks at a time—imagine that for a year.  Pray for safe travelling.  The kids ride well—though we have just started out.  This will be a fun, challenging, and tiring year.  We are looking forward to seeing you.  Pray that the Lord will use us to witness to and encourage others, and that we will grow in the Lord through it all.  

Love in Christ,

Dan and Joan

Baptist World Mission                                    Stateside phone:
PO Box 2149                                                   (336) 306-8080  
Decatur, AL 35602-2149
(256) 353-

long trip

Hi there! I don’t know anyone else’s e-mails but you can share the news. I told Dan he should please try to make me a file called “Joan’s Friends” - I’ll work on it. I don’t know who I’ve written ---nobody actually and am way behind again —how’s that? It is the worst it has been with 136 ---but I will eventually read all my mail and catch up with everyone.
Last you heard from me I was in a serious delivery case (I am an RN and a midwife)—it was rough and I prayed an awful lot ---which is how it should be and usually is. The lady did not know her due date —spent 3 nights at separate times in our house in “labor” and no progress. The one time I even gave some Pitocin to keep labor going and by morning still no baby and still no progress at all. The baby was not coming down at all – so not normal. Took her for a sonogram (only costs $20 out here) and all was well, baby lined up, heartbeat fine; sono said that baby wasn’t due for yet another week! I had calculated her date on what she knew and thought baby was due May 1st anyway.
So, the next week she comes again in labor ---stronger contractions this time – again slow and no progress by morning, gave more Pitocin and that baby came at 9:15 AM with a face presentation. That is a difficult delivery with the baby’s face looking all swollen and bruised. Two single girls out to visit, plus my daughters and sister Becky were able to watch (the lady delivered the baby at my house) ---not the nice easy, fast delivery to watch. Well, that baby came out limp and not breathing ---more stress and prayer for sure, but came around and was fine. After a day the face looked way better and after 3 days was a cute baby ready to go. I do feel like if it had been in the hospital the baby would have died ---can’t say, but those people don’t seem to do anything for the baby or know how to help revive one. There are people who do ---but are they there. I was glad to help. That family has such a hard time.
First all his family moved in on them about a month before the baby was due —8-10 people to feed, this is a poor family; to the point that the husband moved out and the lady came to Becky’s or my house to get a night sleep (I think that is what all the false labor was about). Then the day after the delivery they got a message that her father had died in their village and they had to go there for the funeral ---lots of troubles.
Meanwhile we were trying to pack and sort. Took Andy and Becky to Abidjan with a load of our luggage as well (WHICH WE WERE ABLE TO LOCK UP IN A ROOM NEAR THE AIRPORT ON A MISSIONARY COMPOUND) ---filled up the car, and Tabitha who had been out here helping us ---all leaving at the same time. We got the majority of our stuff packed and taken to Abidjan so that when we came in the next two weeks we’ll only have the last minute stuff to bring with us. Tabitha’s was a 2:40 AM flight – not so fun, but cheap – same as ours two weeks later. We were able to sell both our other dogs which was a huge answer to prayer as well. Dogs that need upkeep just don’t fair so well when left with a guardian. We have Yao staying in our house and he is very good —a deacon in the church that we trust well.
I felt things spinning way too fast, trying to keep the kids together, Bible reading, memorizing, organizing praying a lot —like something bad was going to happen, pray some more and leave it there. Then on Friday it all began! Around 4 PM Dan cut the top of his left thumb off. We were at the beach ---our last good-by, and he was home alone. He managed to get out of our yard and get a neighbor guard to help him slap a bandage on it to stop the bleeding and drove to the beach to get me. We raced home to find the piece in the workshop and then on to the hospital to see if they could sew it back on (kept it in cold ice water). After going to 4 different clinics and the hospital we finally came to one that called in a specialist surgeon on bones and that type of thing. Some of those clinics were laughing, no patient manner, not sterile, etc. So, the doctor said he could not sew it on ---could have in Paris or the US, but not in Africa ---need microsurgery to see the small blood vessels. Maybe we should have tried to bring it to Paris, but how to go with all the family and the timing was just beyond our thinking at the time. And now I am sitting here trying to think if there is any way we could have done it – sent Dan on ahead alone? Me come later with all the kids? We probably could have done that, but at the time that wasn’t in our thinking.
So, the doctor sewed it up, didn’t have to cut off anymore —it was cut off right at the base of the thumbnail so he will still have that use of the joint. I’ve got all the medical supplies and have been changing the dressing —please pray that it heals up without any complications.
After church Sunday we went to Abidjan —all was fine, re-organized and life was okay a bit getting ready for our flight – also at 2:40 AM. We went to the airport at 10PM and Dan went to get our luggage only to find that the man had gone to another country with the key and we couldn’t get our luggage!!! What a mess —it seemed, though God is in it all. Dan wanted to break the door down, pay for it to be fixed, give the guards some money, on and on ---NO WAY. Should have called a police I guess – maybe. Then should we delay our flight – no more space on the next planes for 13. On we go without most of our luggage. SO – here is where God is so good, we were able to check through all our carry-ons that we didn’t want to deal with. Bottom line —everyone keep smiling. We don’t know tomorrow, but we know the ONE who does —take His hand and keep walking in the dark.
Everyone was excited and having fun ---Dan and I praying a lot. We arrived to a nightmare in Paris. First it was rainy and COLD. A man came to meet us at the airport to help – Thank the Lord for him. He, Dan and Ruth took off to rent the camper and were gone ALL DAY. That left me with the rest of the kids to pass the day in the airport —so fun. We KNOW that airport —especially where the bathrooms are. The kids scoured the airport for money under vending machines and in the archaid---came up with 5 euro ---hey, it kept them busy. Finally Dan and co. came back to say that he couldn’t rent the camper because their insurance wouldn’t cover the injury on his hand and we surely won’t fit in any of the little cars of Paris. Finally we rented a U’ Haul type vehicle and all piled in the back —Ahmed, Hannah and Seth rode in the front and we got out of the airport and he took us to his niece’s house. This family graciously let us all sleep in their living room (he is the pastor of a church here in Paris). We were doing some serious camping, kids on the floor, no one complaining —so sweet to see.
I want to tell all my impressions —this letter is going to get long I can see. These people have such a cute tiny apartment —only 4 fit at a half table in the kitchen – eating in shifts. We had brought food and bought some more ----no, we don’t descend on people with 13 more to feed. We were able to store the luggage at the church, re-pack backpacks and we were ready for Europe —a few of us with only the clothes we had ---wash them out at night if they are dirty ---Hey, at least we weren’t sweating. We were a bit discouraged – ready to just head to the states for sure. Dan checked on changing the tickets and just that would have cost $5,500. Okay, we are stuck in Europe. Better to use the money and see a little of Europe, then just to waste it. We spent 2 nights with this family ---very sweet people and good conversations with them, and on we went to London at 10PM —a long tiring trip but fun ---seeing the bus system, subway, ferry boat, on we went. In London we were able to rent a flat (3 bedroom apartment with kitchen for half the price of a hotel room) and stayed there 4 nights.
Impressions of Paris and London ---Godless people in a hurry and going no where. People Need the Lord!!! Witnessing where we can – compassion. Tired, but able to witness to the girl across the aisle – so good. Maybe she’ll get saved. She seemed close – an American from California. CROWDED cities, tiny cars, no parking (we were so glad not to be driving). We got used to the bus system really well and the subway a bit. It is something getting the group on and off.
In London we went to church at Spurgeon’s church. It was really good – over 500 people there and a great message. That was encouraging to see the gospel witness going out – had a bit of reform theology mixed in, but a good message. We replenished our tract supply and were able to witness to quite a few in London and pass out tracts which also had the church location on them for follow-up. I got on a skirt and was discouraged to see that it was so tight! Then Hannah was happy to inform me that it was her skirt – smile, which made me feel better. We all had matching outfits made ---half of which are still in Africa with the other half of the luggage.
Well, we saw lots of London, walked a lot, got to know the bus system very well. One day Ruth, Hannah, Seth, Lydia and I went to see a play – Romeo and Juliet and got there to find it all sold out. I waited on the steps asking, “Does anyone have tickets they don’t want?” And people came by with 5 tickets (different ones) and only one accepted money. So we all got in. It was only 5 euro to stand —which we were planning to do; but let me tell you, MY FEET WERE TIRED AND KILLING ME AFTER 3 HOURS OF STANDING. We got home at 11:30 PM after that. We did enjoy the play. Those actors sure had a lot of memorizing to do —so much better memorizing verses though.
We are now in Amsterdam about to go see a reconstruction of Noah’s ark, catching our breath and nice to be out of the huge cities – though this one is big as well. We enjoyed the canal ride yesterday and are in a bed and breakfast (though no breakfast is provided – why that name?) right on one of the canals. These are tiny places – quite nice, like on the 101 Dalmations movie where there are 3 stories of one rooms piled on top of each other with super small, narrow stairs. Our restaurant is the grocery store and the fruit stand. We are so happy to be able to get some nectarines and broccoli. We can easily make a whole meal on just that and the restaurants are SO expensive.
Sorry this got so long. Pray much for us – safety in this hectic world, and stay close to God in this Godless environment. I feel like we are in the times of Noah here – people so busy, running every which way, no time for God at all. The kids are seeing it —people with no goals in life and not even the beginning of life as it were. God is good ALL the time.
Love to you,
Joan
Everyone is fine. We’ve gone to London, Amsterdam, and now we’re in Holland with some friends. Ruth still wants to head to Germany; Dan and I want to head back to Paris, the little kids want to stay here —these are friends from Africa and they have a very large house and a farm ---horses and cows. Everyone has their own bed and have been riding the horses. It has been nice to catch our breath. So, I don’t know if we are leaving here Tues. or Wed. - I don’t care at all —just live, enjoy each day and witness at every opportunity. Holland seems to be a lot of reform churches. The kids went to the farm —a 30 min. walk, and Hannah, Esther and I are here. Minni gave me some great clothes so I am all set. I think we’ll get the rest of our stuff air-freighted to NY and have it when we get there. The little kids are who is suffering, but not much. I borrowed some clothes from the neighbors so their things could get washed and we will leave here ready to go on.

March prayer letter

November 2008

It seems like so much has been happening, and life has become more full, charged, and filled up than before—yes, I know where the time is going.  Every Saturday in October was someone’s birthday, so I had the blessing of doing school all week and waking up on Saturday to make birthday cake and plan a party.  On top of that, Dan got a new computer, and I am always the last to learn how to use these new-fangled devices—tools, as most of you would call them.

We did vote and know that some Americans are in turmoil over the results.  Last Thursday, right after the election results came out, we heard a great and timely message on Daniel 1:1-2.  Messages do not come out in letters as you hear them, but the main points were: 1. God is the Lord of Consequences. Judah and Jehoiakim were reaping the judgment they had sown. (Habbakuk and Jeremiah had been warned and begged to repent.) We WILL always reap what we sow, and there will be consequence—good or bad for our actions. 2. God is the Lord of Current Events. It was God who delivered the Israelites into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. Christians should be the most calm, confident people because we know that God is in control—all the time. 3. God is the Lord of the Details. In verse two, the Bible records how Nebuchadnezzar took the vessels from the temple of the Lord with him to Babylon, and later on we learn how that played out. God is in control of even the little details of our lives, and they matter to Him (our tone of voice, what we do daily, etc.).

We are studying the book of Daniel; it is so rich! I am teaching that on Wednesday night to the kids, and last week two young teenage boys got saved. It is great when you see a change come over them. A while back, one of the more rough boys got saved, and it was super to watch the Holy Spirit change him. We are always reminded that some plant, some water, but it is God Who gives the increase. The Holy Spirit must do the work in their hearts that only He can do. We must remain faithful, give out the Word, and leave the Holy Spirit to do His work.

We told you that Rebecca died. We have now heard that once someone is having ascites (fluid dumping into the abdominal cavity), it is too late for anything—especially if you live in Africa. But, out of all that, her brothers-in-law have been faithfully coming to church, and one of them has gotten saved and is attending Bible school. In fact, it was his son who got saved last Wednesday. The rest of the family is coming and hearing the Word. This entire group comes from an area where Dan would like to start another church next term. If this group stays faithful and grows, we can start another church with them as the core group. This is our goal.

I have started a ladies’ Bible study on Wednesday afternoons, besides the one that continues every other Sunday after church. Dan has started a men’s Bible study every Sunday evening. We are finally seeing people who are saved, wanting to grow and change to become better wives, mothers, and husbands. Instead of gearing down before we leave for furlough, we are gearing up. We are going through a transition time as Dan prepares Paul to be the future pastor. I am translating the material (not as big a thing as it sounds) and helping prepare a young man to teach. Dan has been doing a great job with Moses, and it is helping him grow as well. Dan is also starting a teacher-training class whenever they can all decide on a time. God does not choose the qualified, He qualifies the chosen. Just be available, faithful, learning, and growing, and God can use you. This is what we are teaching the people.

On the home front, Tabitha is helping out with home schooling. I have a first grader and a second grader each needing one-on-one attention. Today I asked Ruth to teach in my place, and she and Tabitha are handling the schoolroom so I can be at the computer. We do school from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day. The kids from Stephen on up are learning piano, and some are also learning guitar from Seth who now plays way better than I do. Ruth, Hannah, and Seth play for all the services at church. Ruth plays the piano, and Hannah has been playing the guitar along with her. The English church (in a different location) is without leadership, and Seth has been able to do some teaching/preaching out there. In fact, he is the only one available. Dan has given him great sermon notes and that is what he uses. This is great for Seth. Maybe next term he will be ready to lead a group like that. Since he is still in school, he only has time to be there on Sunday and Wednesday to speak and play the guitar. For a church to grow, it takes extra time for counseling, visitation, and lots of prayer.

The dogs are all faring well. Cupcake had puppies; I cut the tails, and they are all fine. We will now be trying to sell them all before we come back to the States. Pets do not fare well when left behind. I just want to sell them all sooner than later to have fewer things to take care of around here. 

Happy Thanksgiving to you all and Merry Christmas!  I know I probably will not write again until January. We have Christmas programs, films, and a church get-together planned. Those are small words for big events and lots of work. Also, between Christmas and the New Year, Tabitha’s sister and two other girls (friends of a girl staying with Becky and Andy) are coming for a quick visit. On December 26 Dan will go to get them in Abidjan, and Andy will take them back in January.

 

Thanks for all your prayers for spiritual growth. The church is growing spiritually and in numbers, and we are encouraged. Continue to pray for safety in driving and for all the activities to not just be activities, but that God will be glorified and the Holy Spirit will work.

Again, we are thinking and praying for you.

 
Love in Christ,

Dan and Joan, Ruth Marie, Hannah, Seth, Lydia, Susanna, Isaiah, Stephen, Rebekah, Josiah, Joseph and Esther

 

blog

How to begin? – Rebecca died.  It was a sad ending to us, yet also happy as we believe she was saved and is in heaven with no more suffering, poverty, or pain.  Money was given to help her husband take the children to another town to be with her family and to hopefully go to school.  

            The great news is that the three girls accepted Christ before leaving.  They seemed to understand and the Bible says we must have faith as a child.  Just accept Jesus Christ’s finished work on Calvary and take it for yourself.  

            Please continue to pray for Laurent and the kids.  Her family has offered another wife for him among her sisters.  We will wait and see the outcome of this –if one is saved and ready to take on a family.  

            Right now we have another baby girl staying with us for a week while her mother is at a ladies’ camp.  I am beginning to feel like we are running a foster home.  This is a ministry as well as it lets the mother get some intense teaching on how to be a Titus 2 woman which is what the camp/seminar is about this year.  

            School is in full swing and Tabitha has made it here safely to help me with some of the home schooling.  

           

August 29, 2008

• I have not been on here in ages and so much has been happening. I have been heavily involved with Rebecca’s care and going back and forth to the hospital with food and buying medicines. It would take too long to tell of all the ups and downs with the hospital and what goes on there. The final outcome was that she died at Messer’s house (my sister and brother-in-law). We tried very hard and still do not know what she had. She was treated for most of the possibilities –even TB though there was never a positive skin test. She was so malnourished and even with all that we know “Our days are all numbered.” So, we did our best and leave it with God.
  Meanwhile, the baby boy has been staying with us for these three weeks and the three girls have been with Andy and Becky. Our washing machine just broke two days ago and the diapers are all dirty – I reckon we’ll use hand towels tonight. Dan is in the process of borrowing our brother Sammy’s to help us out till the piece can be brought from America. We have a girl coming out to stay with us for a year and she is coming Sept. 11th.
  I will tell you about one day at the hospital in the midst of the corruption. No one takes care of patients there. The “doctor” (really a nurse) will write a prescription and the patient is to go get it filled at whatever pharmacy he can find it in and then give it to the patient as he sees fit. He can ask the “doctor” and then he has to remember to give it or the patient will not get it.
  Meanwhile when they do labs. or procedures – also up to the family to go get the vials, tubing, cotton, alcohol, or whatever you need; some of them were taking money on the side. We would give the man money to buy food, help buy medicines if we were not around, and they would come and do a procedure and ask for money though that was the part that was their job – like hang the IV, or take out the fluid from the abdomen.
  Well, someone had taken $12.00 for a procedure and I was a bit tired physically and just tired of the whole situation so went and talked to the director. I explained everything and he then went and talked to the head doctor of the medical department. I had been in the room about 10 minutes when he walked in and wanted to know, “Who took this woman’s money?” He got a description of the man who had done the procedure and there on the spot pulled out his own wallet and reimbursed Laurent. I was pleased to say the least. If you know anything about Africa you know that this is almost unheard of.
  In all of this, I had an opportunity to again offer myself to teach a class to the midwives. They are now pursuing that possibility. I sort of did not want to think of that –where will I find that time?—but do think it is important if the opportunity comes my way. The first step will be to show that we are all God’s creation ---establish the importance of life, created by God and a clear gospel witness.
  Rebecca died on Sunday night and the burial was Friday. Dan and Andy preached and clearly gave the gospel. The three little girls accepted Christ with Becky, so that is wonderful. This couple is saved and baptized. The great thought is that Rebecca was living in poverty and pain and truly did die and go to heaven. What a contrast there has been for her.
  Her family has said to bring the children to them. They also said that Rebecca has sisters and he could come and pick another wife. Isn’t that what they did in Bible times? Smile. Maybe this will be a good solution for him. We cautioned him to make sure she is saved and bring her over to visit us.
  We have been going along with school; the kids are great and can do so much on their own. Some sort of headache with chills bug went around – bizarre. Was just like malaria but the kids got better without the treatment; eight of them had it so you can imagine that stress. We are ready to settle down ---is there such a thing? We pray a lot, rely on God and He keeps us sane. Where would we go if not to Him?
  Thanks for all the prayers.
  Love,
  Joan

May letter

May 2008

So much has happened this past month and a half that it is hard to know where to begin. We have been keeping you up to date on some of the more in-depth events, so maybe I can keep this short. I feel sometimes like when I go to teach—there is so much to teach that it is hard to focus. The ladies have so much to learn and so far to go, it is hard to know where to begin. I have to remember that growth takes time.

I just thought it was time to start out with a big THANK YOU. Another missionary wrote so well about the rising costs (there have even been demonstrations in Abidjan because of all the rising prices) along with the falling value of the dollar. I wanted to copy what he had written, but I am sure you have already heard it, so I will just say “ditto” and thank you for your faithfulness in praying for us. Thank you for letting God use you and for your interest in us and the ministry here. We greatly appreciate you.

I wrote about a terrible hospital experience with a lady friend of ours––she almost died. If you didn’t hear about that incident, please write and ask. I went and talked to the administration of the hospital with all the points of malpractice and offered to teach a class to the midwives. So far nothing has come of that, but I do plan to go again and see if they are doing anything about the problem. The administration and the doctors are very knowledgeable and professional. It is carrying that information down to the hands-on people that is not being done.

I have not gotten back to the hospital because the very next week our neighbor (46 years old) died of a possible brain aneurysm. She had high blood pressure, got a headache, and was dead within ten minutes. I am so happy I had the opportunity to clearly present the Gospel to her, but still feel that I could have done more. She was very nice and Catholic. We were to be “neighbors for life” she had said. Dan and I were busy going to the “wake.” They set up a big tent in their yard and people came all day until 11 p.m. and just sit there. The difference here than in America: In America, friends bring food and do not stay long; in the Ivory Coast, people come empty handed, stay a LONG time, and expect to be fed. It is a huge strain on a family––worse than a wedding. This goes on for a whole week. Dan and I were able to witness to the uncle who was very interested, asked many questions, and I think will be saved when he’s alone. We also invited the nephew home for lunch, and he DID GET SAVED. I was so excited. We have known him for a while—nice man (24 years old). He also asked many questions, had been reading the Bible that Dan gave him a long time ago, and had already tried Catholicism, the Moslem religion, the Celeste Church of Christ (a group out here), and the Pentecostals. He was saved on a Tuesday and came to church with us on Wednesday!

This brings us to the next bit of news. The electric cable going to the church was stolen again, so we are without electricity. Dan wanted them to put in street lights on the electric poles, but they would not do it. Now they are saying they will not replace the cable and that we just have to buy it again. (It is not even on our property). This is 210 meters of heavy electric cable coming from the main road up to our church property. Dan has to call the main boss who will not be in his office till next week.

Meanwhile we are taking a little generator back and forth, and Ruth is ready to do chalk art that we have been announcing for a while. The generator acted up, and we were not able to have the chalk art. That was sad because our neighbor came Wednesday night to see it. Anyway, it was nice that he could experience a normal, God-honoring service. Ruth will be doing chalk art every Tuesday and Wednesday of this month and into next month, since we are getting a late start. They will start at the other church on Tuesday that has a larger, more reliable generator, and then bring that one to our church for the Wednesday night service. They will also go to the village where we are trying to get a church started. That group is going well, and last time there were six baptized.

A short update on David: He is doing super and is completely back to normal. The doctor truly did get saved and is growing––but very slowly. He is in Abidjan, and there is not a good church near him. He is so very busy, yet we can see the change in his lifestyle. We continue to pray for these who are newly saved and without the support system that we are used to. There is the doctor, Laurence (our neighbor) and Landry and Audrey (Seth and Hannah’s friends). These are all saved and living where there aren’t any good churches nearby.

During all of this, we had two dogs have their puppies on the same day, and now they are six weeks old. Not only is this a lot of work but also a super-sad time. The puppies got some sort of virus and have been dying one and two at a time. We have had five die so far, and some of the others do not eat well. It has been so sad and depressing on our spirits—you know how we love our pets. It seems to be something that attacks the nervous system. They slow down eating and then fall over–– fading puppy. I am thinking about the people who lived during the bubonic plague. At least these are dogs and not people, and we can thank God for that!

On a lighter note, Josiah asked Ruth on his fifth birthday, “Do you wish you were me?” Ruth: “Why?” Josiah: “I have lots of candy you know, and I can color real good.” The kids are a constant joy and such fun to be with.

Thanks again for your prayers. If you want a summary of our prayer requests, it would be for the newly saved to grow and others to be saved; that we will get electricity back at church (either find the thief, buy more cable, or have the electric company replace it); that no more puppies will die; and that the chalk-art conference would go well and people will be saved and grow in the Lord.

 

Love,

 

Dan, Joan, Ruth Marie, Hannah, Seth, Lydia, Susanna, Isaiah, Stephen, Rebekah, Josiah, Joseph, and Esther

 

hospital experience

Already I can feel myself getting desensitized and detached from the situation I wish to describe in this email.  It has been a hectic, stressful three days.  The goal of this letter is not for you to feel sorry for us here—God is always in control, every day and every hour—but for you to be so thankful for the American medical system that you enjoy and to better pray for our lives and work here.  We just started a chapter in our book with the sentence, “The medical team sprang into action.”  Not a scenario you’ll see often in this country.

 

This case started on Sunday afternoon while on visitation.  We saw a pregnant woman from our church who hadn’t been there that morning and wasn’t feeling so well.  When we visited she was lying on a bench, the four kids were unattended and there was no food or joy to be seen.  I went home and fixed some food for them and got my fetal scope to check on the baby –a 7 month pregnancy.  I heard nothing – no baby, no placental noise –quiet - so the next morning decided to take her for a sonogram.  Dan was just leaving for Abidjan, so Becky drove us to the hospital.  The sonogram confirmed that the baby was dead.

 

I can feel myself getting bogged down in the details ---you know I am a nurse and we are taught to document everything and the time it happened – smile.  I might just give a run down like that.  The hospital here is a compound with different buildings for everything –lab, maternity ward, pharmacy, operating room, waiting room, sonogram----each place is in a different building.  Remember that as I am running back and forth for this or that.  

 

We went from the sonogram to the doctor’s office –he ordered lab tests, an antibiotic, and medicine to soften the cervix.  Then we went to the lab for blood tests and waited there till 12:30 for the results.  She needed blood.  Next we went to that doctor who had to sign out the blood ---he was out to lunch, so we waited there till 3:30 PM.  He signed out the blood and I went to the lab to get it.  Meanwhile I went to the pharmacy for the tubing, needle, gloves, etc.  Every time there was anything to be done I had to go get the supplies from the pharmacy there on the compound and go get the medicine at a pharmacy out in town to put in the IV.  Are you getting the picture?  If at any point you don’t have money for the next step your treatment stops.  She finally was getting the blood around 5 PM (that I had picked up from the lab. in a plastic bag and sat there by her on the bed till they were ready to put it in.) and now they are not going to do anything more till the next day when they can again check the lab to make sure the platelets came up.  I got home at 5:30 PM.

 

Tuesday started with lab work ---go to the lab, don’t forget.  They don’t come to you and do anything.  Wait for the result –all is good.  Ready to start inducing labor – out to the pharmacies for supplies and medicine – and I mixed it ---water with methergin.  Back and waiting.  Doctors out to lunch ---so I left from 12:30 to 3 PM ---everything stops here, even the hospital, during the mid-day.  At 3 PM they put in a catheter and she started drinking one cup of the mixture per hour – given by me.   When the contractions started, the idea was for the catheter to come out and they’ll know she is about ready to deliver.   That is another thing ---all her medicines are there on the bed and we just administer them or the patient takes them, if they remember.  I stayed with her until all the medicine was in –1 liter of water – lasting till 6 PM.  I walked her around, didn’t seem like too much was happening. I talked to one of the other doctors and he said it took a long time.  The doctor we had seen acted like it was going to happen today.  So, I got her some food and left around 8:00.  Her husband was there for the night.

 

Now it’s Wednesday morning and we just checked on her – labor going super slowly.  Wed. afternoon the catheter was removed and I went back to be with her at 3 PM.  I need to describe these rooms –peeling paint, blood or whatever spattered on walls, plywood ceiling tiles hanging down, lights that don’t work; including in the bathroom, which is crawling with cockroaches; a non-functioning dirty toilet sitting there, the hole that used to be for a shower is used as the toilet and one uses a bucket of water to wash it down; vinyl mattresses – bring your own sheet and pillow, one outlet in the room – bring your own fan, screens dirty and torn.  Becky, my sister, bought an outlet strip – there were 3 ladies plus families in the room to use the one outlet which was only close enough to one bed.  I won’t provide details about the smells, though I was happy to see that in the delivery room they were using bleach in the water to clean with.  Dan was in Abidjan, so Becky was driving me back and forth – though I walked a few times.  The hospital is not far from our house ---maybe a mile.  It was great to have Becky there some of the time – cheerful and someone to talk with.  I could call her, “Bring more money.”

 

At 4 PM the midwife hung a pitocin drip ---remember, out to the pharmacies for the medicine and all the related supplies.  Meanwhile there was a girl, 17 year old there on the floor waiting for a C section.  She was eclamptic at 7 months and was in a coma though trashing around.  Her breathing was fine (this detail is important later on.)  With the drip going we were there for an hour when we moved to the delivery room – at which time (5PM) the breathing of the girl on the floor was sounding rattley.   In the delivery room I told the midwife that the girl’s breathing did not sound good.  While waiting for our friend to be ready to deliver, I watched the midwife and assistant do some bad deliveries (unnecessary episiotomy, no care of the women, just let a woman lie there and she “better not make any noise until the whole head is out,” then they go and push on the woman’s stomach while pulling on the baby’s head. They are routinely doing abdominal thrusts on the top of the fundus – the top of the uterus.  Talking about the placenta—they wrap the cord around their hemostats and pull it out.  I was cringing, and I had gloves on to help ---“just let me do one for you” – no way and they were getting a little upset—so was I.  They just wanted me to stay out of it.  In the interest of our friend I went back to our patient ---it is one big room, same peeling paint, but there was an air conditioner that periodically let out a lot of water into a drum where they kept their bedpans.  On the other side of the plywood partition we heard them slap the other woman at least 3-4 times.  What a mess.

 

Since it was Wednesday night, Becky left for church and I stayed and called to tell Ruth and Hannah to plan on going to church with the piano in a taxi by themselves.  They, along with Susanna and Lydia, have been great keeping up the house, helping the little ones with school and taking care of Esther while I was gone.

 

Our friend had the baby breech at 7:10 PM.  Here is where the story goes from bad to worse.  The midwife pulled hard on the baby, was reaching up inside and pulling even harder –plus getting mad at me when I was saying there was no need and no rush.  She finally pulled the baby out and ripped the cervix (that could have happened anyway, but I’m sure she didn’t help the matter.)  Then in the time I turned to take off my gloves she had pulled out the placenta.  Our friend started hemorrhaging big time and then going into shock.  The doctor was called.  The midwife had now started another IV line and was squeezing the IV bag for all she was worth to get fluid in.  The doctor came and checked around 8 PM went out –they were cleaning the operating room.  He said that with that much blood he feared a ruptured uterus and he would have to open up the abdomen to see and repair.  I am praying, “God, don’t let her die and please have it just be a cervix repair!”  At 8:30 p.m. they wheeled her away – I’m out getting more tubing and blood from the lab.  Then we waited and prayed and prayed some more.  Becky came back at 9 PM and we all prayed.  Our friend came out at 10 PM sleepy and only the cervix needing repair.  Praise the Lord for that.

 

Meanwhile I looked in on the other woman ---very congested and breathing badly.  Went back to the midwife ---“the woman is really not breathing well.”  No action.  Went back to the operating room to find the doctors.  Now all empty, except a guy cleaning the floor—all the doctors went to eat; they planned to do that C-section when they got back at 11:30 PM.   I went to call home (here they use cell phones like a phone booth) – to tell the kids, “don’t wait up for me.”  Our friend still needed more blood and the doctor said that if she started bleeding again they would have to open her up.

 

When I got back I found out the doctors had returned and had taken the woman to surgery – though she didn’t even make it to the door.  They said her throat was too swollen and that they couldn’t intubate her.  She died.  In the room there were some of her people.  One of the men said it was our fault, that we had taken her spot in line.  I said, “No, the doctors went to eat.”  I said I was sorry, so sorry.  Needless death – they had the money, were lined up.  I thought last night of our kids – we expect them to obey right away.  Saul – delayed obedience was disobedience.  The doctors – very good with their work, but not done in timely manner, and people die.  The girl might very well have been saved.  The people seemed to be Christians– from an Assembly of God church.  While we were out buying medicine and waiting, a girl we talked with trusted Christ!  That was neat.  She truly understood and prayed to get saved.  I’ll visit her again on visitation on Sunday.  She sells water outside the hospital gate.

 

Becky and I left at 2 AM – the blood was going and we figured our friend would be okay from there.  Praise the Lord that the bleeding had stopped.

 

Thursday our friend ate breakfast and was discharged at noon.  We took her home and got her situated.  Becky kept her kids until after dinner and then took them home.

 

Now it is again Sunday – she is doing better though still weak.  I went by yesterday to “complain” and to point out some of the unethical practices and I have an appointment for tomorrow ---or later if I can’t get there tomorrow.  Mondays are always hectic around here.  Anyway, it is not to just criticize – what good is that?  They are already understaffed.  I hope to arrange to teach a class to the midwives or something along that line.  Maybe I’ll be able to demonstrate how we do deliveries.  Today we witnessed to a big group ---there are always a lot of people in front of the hospital passing time.  Maybe God planned all this for another outreach opportunity ---though He surely knows we are short of time here.

 

Bye for now.  Praise the Lord for His grace that you were born where you are.

 

Love in Christ,

 

Joan

 

Fabulous Trip

March, 2008

 

            I should have written about this trip when I first got back – fresh and exciting on my mind.  On a Wed. night after church Ruth wants to go to Abidjan to sell two puppies for some friends.  Hair-brained for sure!  The other thing is that I agreed – to go on the bus, spur of the moment.  I told Dan that night this is crazy and must be destiny of some sort.  So, Ruth and I took off on the bus at 7 AM – great trip.  It is so great to witness to a captive interested audience and pass out tracts to people who want them and want a stack of them to pass out to their friends.  I usually give out a God’s Simple Plan of Salvation tract along with a John and Romans booklet.  

            We got to Abidjan and made contact with the people who wanted to choose ONE puppy (brought two so they would have an option).  Well, the woman couldn’t decide so invited Ruth and me to their house so her husband could see them as well.  Short story, they bought them both - $425.00 each, wealthy Lebanese and then invited us to spend the night there.  Ruth and I had made no plans so agreed easily enough.  Ruth and the Sylvie went out shopping for food, etc. while I was reading and preparing for my ladies’ class, when the man came back home around 4 PM with a police friend and started visiting – why was I here, when would we retire.  Well, the first response – “missionary” could have given him a clue to back off with the questions – but he didn’t.  It was so good – witnessing for 3 ½ hours, going over Scripture after Scripture ---again started with the Evangi–cube.  First picture shows us separated from God by our sin –Rom. 3:23, Rom 6:23 –we are all sinners on the way to hell dead in sin.  If you don’t change your direction you will get where you are headed.  There are 2 births and there are 2 deaths.  God told Adam and Eve “The day you eat of the fruit, you shall surely die.”  Did they die?  Did God lie?  Of course God did not lie and they did die.  Death is always separation.  Physical death is separation from our family and friends.  Spiritual death is separation from God.  Adam and Eve used to talk and walk with God in the garden.  After their sin they were dead to Him, separated, they hid themselves.  All the prophets have been making sacrifice to cover their sins.  God sent His Son Jesus to pay the price for our sins – the Perfect Lamb of God.  Rom. 6:23 – the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

             The 2^nd picture on the cube is Jesus on the cross.  The payment for our sin is death – Jesus took our place – paid the price.  John 3:16 – God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  Many people call themselves children of God ---God only had one Son.  How did you get to become His child?  John 1:12 – For as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.  I tell about the two thieves that were also dying that day, one on either side.  One said, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and save us.”  (He wanted out of his problems to carry on his life as before.)  The other bad guy said, “How can you say such a thing?  We are here because of our sins -  justice.  This man has done nothing wrong.”  He looked at Jesus and said, “Lord, remember me when you come in your kingdom.”  And Jesus said, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”  That man got saved.  He believed that Jesus is God and that He has a kingdom.  You wouldn’t ask a man dying to invite you over to dinner – would you?  Jesus said, “Today you will be with me.”  The man didn’t get down from the cross to do good, to go to church, neither to get baptized.  He died and went straight to heaven. Rom 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and if you believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead you will be saved.”  Believe and ask.  Rom. 10:13 – “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  You might know I have apples in my house.  I might say I’ll give one to anyone who asks for it.  But if you don’t ask for one, it will not be for you.  Saving belief and faith takes action ---call on the Lord, ask Him for His free gift.  You can’t work for it.  He died on the cross for the whole world, but everyone is not going to heaven.  Many know God and about God, the question is, “Does God know you?  Are you His child?”  You will never fool Him in the end.  

            The 3^rd picture is the tomb.  Jesus was buried.

            The 4^th is the resurrection.  Jesus rose again.  Our faith is based on a living person.  How can the Moslems say that Jesus didn’t die?  Even the Quran says Jesus rose again.  How can someone rise again who didn’t die?  (Lebanese are mainly Moslem).  How can you say that someone took Jesus’ place on the cross?   That doesn’t make any sense at all.  If you died wouldn’t your mother know if it were you or not?  Jesus’ mother, brothers, disciples were all there – they knew that He died and rose again and they were willing to die for the truth.

            The 5^th picture is the cross as a path.  John 14:6 Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life.  No man cometh to the Father but by me.”  Jesus said, “I am the way” – all other ways are not leading to heaven; they are leading to hell.  “I am the truth” – anything else is a lie.  “I am the life” – all else leads to death. 

            The last picture is a hand clasp in the middle with hell fire at the bottom and heaven’s glory at the top.  Now it is your choice.  You can choose to accept Christ, or you will keep going in your same direction and end up in hell.  Now is the time of salvation.  Choose to accept Christ now.  Who is paying for your sin?  All the prophets did sacrifices.  “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.”  (Heb. 9:22)  Jesus is the only one who could pay and did pay for your sin.  

            After telling all this to the man – Nasser, he asked more questions.  I did some gospel magic – more on salvation. Then he asked the question that I usually lead up to with Moslems especially (They are taught from birth that Jesus is not God.)  Just why did the Jews want to kill Jesus?  Because Jesus accepted worship, because Jesus forgave sin - only God can do these things.  And because Jesus said, “I am God, the Son of God, The Son of Man.” Each of these titles to the Jews was clearly Jesus saying, I am God.  You’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father.  I could send my daughter here and she could tell you all about me, she even looks like me.  I am a wife.  I am a mother. I am a sister.  I am one person.  We could go on with many earthly examples of the trinity – three in one.  None would quite do God justice ---we are human and cannot understand all about God.  That is why the Jews wanted to kill Jesus.  They understood He was saying, “I am He.  I am your Messiah.  I am God in the flesh.”

            Moslems say that Jesus is a great prophet – the greatest.  How could He be a great prophet if He said I am God?  You either believe Him or you call Him a liar or a fool.  His disciples died for this belief.  Were they following a mad man?  The Pharisees were always trying to trick Jesus with some question.  Jesus one day asked them, “Is John the Baptist from God or the devil?”  I ask you, Was John the Baptist a good prophet or from the devil?  The Pharisees thought a minute, “If we say he is from God – John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  John the Baptist pointed people to Jesus as the Messiah, then He will say, “Why don’t you believe him?”  And we can’t say John the Baptist is from the devil – so they said, “We don’t know.” 

            After that there is a way to fold and cut a piece of  paper that goes through the entire life of Christ.  Since this is getting long I won’t tell it all.  Start at the birth – Jesus came to die.  It was not a second ditch effort.  Through all the prophecies that Jesus fulfilled with His birth, to Pilot, to the cross, the only way to heaven  - do you want to accept Him now?  Repent, accept Him and go to heaven.  Reject and hell is your choice.  God doesn’t want to send you there, but that is the choice of anyone who rejects Jesus. 

           

About this time Sylvie and Ruth came back and started fixing dinner.  The questions and discussion went on.  He said, “I am not claming Islam nor Christianity.  I am just good in the middle.”  Well that went to all the verses: There is none righteous, no not one.  All our righteousness is as filthy rags.  You can’t be in the middle.  Doing nothing is taking you to hell.  You must choose Jesus and His finished work for you.  He is calling to you.  There were two boys – say Peter and John.  They played together and one day Peter fell in the pond and John jumped in and saved him.  Peter grew up to be a bad guy – robbing and eventually killed someone.  John became a lawyer and eventually a judge.  The day came for Peter to come before the judge.  Peter looked up and saw John sitting there.  “Ah, this is my lucky day,” he thought.  But John sentenced him to death.  Peter said, “Wait a minute.  How can you do that?  Don’t you remember we are friends?”  John said, “That day I was your friend.  Today I am your judge.”  Today Jesus is your friend.  He is there to welcome you with open arms, but one day He will be your judge.  Then it will be too late. 

            Meanwhile Sylvie said to Ruth, “This is the first time I’ve had a man of God in my house.” 

            We then had a 6 course meal –soup, salad, shish-kabobs, fries, cheeses, fruits, and dessert.  Around 10:30 Nasser went to bed and Sylvie started talking to me.  There we were going over the same thing till after midnight. She already knew a lot – even had a Bible.   She said, “How many times does someone come selling puppies and you invite them to spend the night and talk about God?  This has to be all of God.”  I totally agreed.  I said, “Why don’t you just get saved right now?”  She said, “I can’t.  It would put me in a dilemma.”  Now I see – they are not married and he is probably paying for everything – rich Lebanese with a young Ivorian girl.  It was so sad and an obvious knowledgeable rejection of Christ.   

            Well, they are both now our friends and have invited us to stay with them whenever we are in Abidjan.   We’ll see.  I have since given him a Bible with a letter with many more passages to look up and also tracts written especially for Moslems.  I am praying for them daily.  Please pray with me –Sylvie and Nasser to get saved.  Since it seemed all new to him I didn’t push for a decision.  The Holy Spirit convicts – that is one of His jobs; but I will get in touch with them next time we are in Abidjan to see if he is ready.  Pray much.

            If you are not saved, you can get saved now.  You can be sure you have a place in heaven.  Change your direction.  It is only through Jesus Christ.  Pray and ask Him to forgive your sin and ask Him to save you.

            Our trip home was another story.  We got to the bus by 10 AM and waited till 2:30 PM!!!  We got home at 11:30.  A 4 ½ to 5 hour trip was stretched into 9 hours.  All I can say good about that is that I had lots of time to witness to everyone, passed out all the tracts (and I had a stack), finished another book, and had a good time with Ruth.              

            Just this last time in Abidjan, we gave them a list of prophecies in the Old Testament fulfilled in the life of Christ.  Moslems do believe the prophets – you have to witness as if you were talking to a Jew.   Pray for them and pray for us to have more contact with them.  Our belief is based on logic and faith, not blind faith that makes no sense.  Bye for now.

Love in Christ,

Joan