Merry Christmas 2009 and Happy New Year
from Juanita Simpson, P.O. Box 1759, Pearl City, HI 96782
Dear Loved Ones,
I wish you not only Season’s Greetings, but God’s richest blessings, as well.
Now where shall we begin in looking back over 2009? Let’s start with………the
Joys:
1.) How thankful I am for wonderfully good health this past year, not only for myself, but for the rest of the family as well. Angela continues to have her struggles, but she has been better than some years in the past, and able to continue to do a lot of ministry.
2.) We have seen some real spiritual growth in the Bible Study attendees. Many new people have joined us from time to time.
3.) Prayers have been answered for some of our Micronesian friends who were in grave danger in 2009. Ponet was marvelously rescued from “certain death” Her cancer seems to be gone and she is back serving the Lord in the Marshalls. Jose, Lobo and Mark were all dangerously ill or oppressed by the enemy. Asher came close to dying several times, but he is alive, though still in the hospital. Glory to God and thanks for your prayers!
Sorrows:
1.) As a family we lost 3 of our loved ones in 2009: Walt, Rose’s father; Ruth, Steve’s mother; and Janet, my sister. We are thankful that Rose was able to spend 2 months with her father and Steve could be with his mother at the end..
2.) We also had to say good-by to dear friends. Rose’s elderly friend, Thomas, passed away. Sandy, Rose and Josiah visited him at home, in the hospital and the care home. I, too, miss my Micronesian friends whom I visited many times in their last illnesses: Pastor Panser, Frank, Tabita, Billy and Reid. I was asked to give the message at 3 of their funerals. What a joy to know that some of the above are safely in heaven.
Problems:
1.) I think this has been a hard year for most of us financially, and we are no exception. Things have been tight, but we are so grateful that somehow God has brought us through so far. We don’t like to think that we may have to discontinue our ministries to the Micronesians and perhaps move to a less expensive area. It is in God’s hands!
2.) We can’t operate our ministries without vehicles. My 94 Mazda is pretty well finished and we’re trying to sell it on Craig’s List. Sandy has had to do repeated repair work on the 97 Mini-van, but so far it is still running. We’re thankful that the big van is still O.K.
3.) On the recent sick list, Bila and Srue have been in and out of the hospital. They are both amputees with questions about their kidneys. Ioshimi had open heart surgery 2 weeks ago and is recuperating at home.
Blessings:
1.) There are no words to express how we feel about our very faithful supporters. Your prayers and financial support are the backbone of all that we are able to do. Someday we will praise God together for the victories He gave us in the lives of Micronesians!
2.) I had the privilege of teaching a Women’s Conference and preaching in Majuro. Their generosity made it possible, and many were blessed. Sandy has now been given the opportunity to minister in the same way to the men and youth of Majuro in July, 2010.
3.) Thomas (mentioned above) gave his 94 Toyota to Josiah before he passed away. Josiah doesn’t have a license yet, but it is helpful to Sandy when I am using the van for visiting.
What will 2010 bring? We don’t know, but God does. I love the song, “Jesus led me all the way…” The One who has led us till now will not fail us. We do know that Christmas will bring Cassie and her new husband Mike for 2 weeks of family fun with Sandy’s whole family. And we know that Angela’s son Kurt will be moving over here in January. And who knows? Maybe Jesus will come again in 2010 – but not as a baby. This time He will come as King of kings and Lord of lords. A good question for this Christmas and New Year: Are we ready and waiting?
Friday, December 11, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thanksgiving News
Dear All,
I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving. Time seems to be moving so quickly this year. Christmas is almost upon us. We are thankful that our daughter Cassie and her husband Mike can come visit us for a few weeks during Christmas time. We are also looking forward to visits from a number of other people at the first of next year.
I wanted to let you know so that you can be in prayer over this opportunity. There is a very high likelihood that I will be the main speaker at at week and a half long conference in Majuro in July 2010. At first I thought this would be a men's conference but I was recently informed that it will include everyone in that denomination, including separate meetings for the youth. This is a wonderful opportunity to preach the Gospel and teach sound doctrine. Please pray as the leaders in that church are discussing this at the time of this writing.
Please also be in prayer for our finances. We are all living on the very edge of being able to pay our bills and of support through the mission. I have two of my books that I need to reprint as I have orders but do not have the money to do so at this time. The sale of materials I have produced is part of our tent-making so if I cannot print those books that cuts of some of our support. We continue to trust the Lord for this ministry which He called us to and there are many here who depend on us. So we appreciate your prayers.
With love,
Sandy Simpson & family
I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving. Time seems to be moving so quickly this year. Christmas is almost upon us. We are thankful that our daughter Cassie and her husband Mike can come visit us for a few weeks during Christmas time. We are also looking forward to visits from a number of other people at the first of next year.
I wanted to let you know so that you can be in prayer over this opportunity. There is a very high likelihood that I will be the main speaker at at week and a half long conference in Majuro in July 2010. At first I thought this would be a men's conference but I was recently informed that it will include everyone in that denomination, including separate meetings for the youth. This is a wonderful opportunity to preach the Gospel and teach sound doctrine. Please pray as the leaders in that church are discussing this at the time of this writing.
Please also be in prayer for our finances. We are all living on the very edge of being able to pay our bills and of support through the mission. I have two of my books that I need to reprint as I have orders but do not have the money to do so at this time. The sale of materials I have produced is part of our tent-making so if I cannot print those books that cuts of some of our support. We continue to trust the Lord for this ministry which He called us to and there are many here who depend on us. So we appreciate your prayers.
With love,
Sandy Simpson & family
Friday, October 30, 2009
Co-Laborers In His Harvest Field
Dear All,
We have been having record turnout at our Bible studies. We have a number of new people coming now. My van is full most of the time these days with many more coming with their own rides. We also have a large number of young people attending. We still have many who are laid up with various infirmities and some who are doing a lot of traveling. I am currently teaching through Corinthians and am in the second letter now. We thank the Lord that He is helping many to grow spiritually as their lives, questions and comments indicate. I also just finished and sent out a special edition of the Pacific Waves to all the pastors in Micronesia. It has information on cults and heretical movements in the churches. I hope this will be a help to many who struggle to give answers to their church people on these issues.
Please continue to pray for our financial situation. I want to thank those individuals and churches who faithfully support us and some who have given large gifts through the mission. We have some family members who will be coming out for Christmas so please be in prayer that we will have good fellowship in the Lord and that we will be able to afford the extra cost. If any of you attend a church that is looking for mission work to support please mention us to them. I can supply any info they want.
Thank the Lord that we remain healthy and active. Please pray that more people will order materials from my web site as that is part of our tent making. It has been very slow lately, likely due to the economy. We thank you for being co-laborers in His harvest field with us. We see the effects weekly of our work here in the lives of many Micronesian islanders. We thank you for your continued prayers and support. Pray for Rose as she continues to be a forming influence in the lives of many small children. Pray for Josiah and his home school work. Pray for me as I continue to produce materials, both Bible studies and other, to help island Christians grow to maturity in Christ. Pray for Juanita and her visitation ministry. Thank you all and may the Lord richly bless you!
In His hands,
Sandy Simpson
We have been having record turnout at our Bible studies. We have a number of new people coming now. My van is full most of the time these days with many more coming with their own rides. We also have a large number of young people attending. We still have many who are laid up with various infirmities and some who are doing a lot of traveling. I am currently teaching through Corinthians and am in the second letter now. We thank the Lord that He is helping many to grow spiritually as their lives, questions and comments indicate. I also just finished and sent out a special edition of the Pacific Waves to all the pastors in Micronesia. It has information on cults and heretical movements in the churches. I hope this will be a help to many who struggle to give answers to their church people on these issues.
Please continue to pray for our financial situation. I want to thank those individuals and churches who faithfully support us and some who have given large gifts through the mission. We have some family members who will be coming out for Christmas so please be in prayer that we will have good fellowship in the Lord and that we will be able to afford the extra cost. If any of you attend a church that is looking for mission work to support please mention us to them. I can supply any info they want.
Thank the Lord that we remain healthy and active. Please pray that more people will order materials from my web site as that is part of our tent making. It has been very slow lately, likely due to the economy. We thank you for being co-laborers in His harvest field with us. We see the effects weekly of our work here in the lives of many Micronesian islanders. We thank you for your continued prayers and support. Pray for Rose as she continues to be a forming influence in the lives of many small children. Pray for Josiah and his home school work. Pray for me as I continue to produce materials, both Bible studies and other, to help island Christians grow to maturity in Christ. Pray for Juanita and her visitation ministry. Thank you all and may the Lord richly bless you!
In His hands,
Sandy Simpson
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Another Prayer Request
Dear Friends,
I have been informed by our mission that I need to raise another $500-600 per month of support which would be through Liebenzell Mission USA. You can contact them here:
Liebenzell Mission USA
P.O. Box 66
Schooley's Mt., NJ 07870
I have been contacting people and churches but many are hard hit by the recession. I am looking at trying to find a part time job that will fit between the cracks of our ministry schedule, homeschooling, driving my son to his job, etc. I would then take what I can make and send it to the mission to cover our shortfall. I have just been trusting the Lord to lead us in the right direction. Sales of my books, DVDs and CDs have been way off for a couple of months. This is the extra income I depend on to cover what we need.
I don't like talking about money issues. But I do covet your prayers right now. I honestly don't see how we can make it through next month if this shortfall continues. Juanita is also barely making it financially. Thankfully Rose's job is steady and she helps with some of our bills, including our health insurance. As you may have read from my other recent articles I know the Lord has us here to watch over His flock from the islands and disciple them. We have more people than ever attending the Bible studies, but I am hard pressed to pay for the gas I need to pick up people in our 15 passenger van. It costs $50. per week for that alone.
I am not complaining, just trusting the Lord because He has always met our needs. Please pray with us that He will show us what He wants us to do during this critical time.
In His hands,
Sandy Simpson
I have been informed by our mission that I need to raise another $500-600 per month of support which would be through Liebenzell Mission USA. You can contact them here:
Liebenzell Mission USA
P.O. Box 66
Schooley's Mt., NJ 07870
I have been contacting people and churches but many are hard hit by the recession. I am looking at trying to find a part time job that will fit between the cracks of our ministry schedule, homeschooling, driving my son to his job, etc. I would then take what I can make and send it to the mission to cover our shortfall. I have just been trusting the Lord to lead us in the right direction. Sales of my books, DVDs and CDs have been way off for a couple of months. This is the extra income I depend on to cover what we need.
I don't like talking about money issues. But I do covet your prayers right now. I honestly don't see how we can make it through next month if this shortfall continues. Juanita is also barely making it financially. Thankfully Rose's job is steady and she helps with some of our bills, including our health insurance. As you may have read from my other recent articles I know the Lord has us here to watch over His flock from the islands and disciple them. We have more people than ever attending the Bible studies, but I am hard pressed to pay for the gas I need to pick up people in our 15 passenger van. It costs $50. per week for that alone.
I am not complaining, just trusting the Lord because He has always met our needs. Please pray with us that He will show us what He wants us to do during this critical time.
In His hands,
Sandy Simpson
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Praise The Lord For His Quick Answer!
Due to our efforts and those of many leaders in the Micronesian community the Hawaii government has decided to extend the medical coverage for critical care for another two years. This is a direct answer to prayer and we are so thankful to the Lord that He takes care of the poor and helpless. Please continue to pray about this issue, however. In the statement of the official from the State of Hawaii she said that those who had cancer before this extension will be covered for chemotherapy but new cases will not. I don't believe this is acceptable, particularly among the Marshallese who are owed medical care for as long as they continue to have birth defects, cancer and other medical issues because of environmental radiation brought on by the testing of the atom bomb on two of their atolls. Pray that the HI state officials will be able to understand the full picture. I still intend to challenge the federal government to live up to its obligations to the Republic of the Marshalls and the other two island nations.
In His hands,
Sandy Simpson
In His hands,
Sandy Simpson
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Urgent Prayer Request
Dear Friends & Supporters,
I wanted to make you aware of a serious situation that is developing and ongoing here in Hawaii. The information I want to present to you is spelled out in a news story from the Honolulu Advertiser here:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200908210200/NEWS15/908210339
The lead line for the story states this:
A state plan to scale back health care benefits to about 7,500 adult Micronesians — including no longer covering dialysis treatment or chemotherapy — could be a "death sentence" for some, advocates and patients' relatives warned at a legislative briefing yesterday.
As soon as I was made aware that Medicaid would no longer be available to Micronesians, which is a Federal program administrated by the States, in favor of a local State-controlled program which would not include insurance to cover critical health care, I wrote to the Governor, Lt. Governor and some Senators about this issue. We know a number of Micronesians here who, if these coverages were canceled, would die. They have nowhere else to go.
I am in the process of trying to find out if the State of HI can cancel Medicaid for critical care such as dialysis when those monies were made available by the Federal government in part as part of their compact obligations with the three nations in the Micronesian islands. Of particular concern would be their proposed cutting off funds to patients from the Republic of the Marshalls as the US owes reparations to those islands for using them as a testing ground for the atom bomb. The islands of Bikini and others are still radioactive today as well as the sea life. This has effected the Marshallese with birth defects and cancer, in particular. There is also a high incidence of diabetes there as a result of having to eat canned food instead of fresh seafood. So the Marshallese are particularly and understandably angered over this decision that is basically tied to State of HI cutbacks in order to survive the recession.
The other two governments of Micronesia were Trust Territories and the US promised to help them. The Federated States of Micronesia, in particular, has had some governors who "took the money and ran" instead of spending it on infrastructure. But the people of those islands are not to blame for some nefarious individuals.
The islanders come to HI for medical help and the hospitals reap the benefits of Medicaid and insurance payments. Many families end up living here on an extended basis and, though they are not full US citizens, are employed and pay state and federal taxes. They are also consumers, which feeds the economy. They have most of the rights of US citizens but cannot vote, for instance.
I wrote two emails to the Governor of HI stating the following:
Dear Governor Lingle,
We have been working with Micronesian islanders here on Oahu for 10 years. We try to help them in many ways and we visit them in the hospitals. I was surprised to learn in a recent article in the Honolulu Advertiser here ...
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090821/NEWS15/908210339/-1/localnewsfront
... that Micronesians, who have an agreement of free association with the US, will be denied critical health services here. I understand your need to cut back during this recession, but there is a difference between cutting back on employment and cutting back on life. I know many Micronesians on dialysis and chemo who, if denied these services, will have nowhere else to turn. Sending them back to their islands amounts to a death sentence for most of them.
In my view this is not an area to make cuts. Making cuts in other social services, making State employees take furloughs, etc. makes sense, but cutting back on health critical services is inhumane. I hope you will read this and reconsider your actions in this matter.
Our Lord can help people have a heart for the poor people of Micronesia, those we serve here in HI. Please pray that the hearts of those in the government will be open to helping those least able to help themselves. We understand the need for fiscal responsibility, but not at the cost of the deaths of God's people.
If the government can give out cash for clunkers, they can give cash for the lives of people.
In His hands,
Sandy Simpson
I wanted to make you aware of a serious situation that is developing and ongoing here in Hawaii. The information I want to present to you is spelled out in a news story from the Honolulu Advertiser here:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200908210200/NEWS15/908210339
The lead line for the story states this:
A state plan to scale back health care benefits to about 7,500 adult Micronesians — including no longer covering dialysis treatment or chemotherapy — could be a "death sentence" for some, advocates and patients' relatives warned at a legislative briefing yesterday.
As soon as I was made aware that Medicaid would no longer be available to Micronesians, which is a Federal program administrated by the States, in favor of a local State-controlled program which would not include insurance to cover critical health care, I wrote to the Governor, Lt. Governor and some Senators about this issue. We know a number of Micronesians here who, if these coverages were canceled, would die. They have nowhere else to go.
I am in the process of trying to find out if the State of HI can cancel Medicaid for critical care such as dialysis when those monies were made available by the Federal government in part as part of their compact obligations with the three nations in the Micronesian islands. Of particular concern would be their proposed cutting off funds to patients from the Republic of the Marshalls as the US owes reparations to those islands for using them as a testing ground for the atom bomb. The islands of Bikini and others are still radioactive today as well as the sea life. This has effected the Marshallese with birth defects and cancer, in particular. There is also a high incidence of diabetes there as a result of having to eat canned food instead of fresh seafood. So the Marshallese are particularly and understandably angered over this decision that is basically tied to State of HI cutbacks in order to survive the recession.
The other two governments of Micronesia were Trust Territories and the US promised to help them. The Federated States of Micronesia, in particular, has had some governors who "took the money and ran" instead of spending it on infrastructure. But the people of those islands are not to blame for some nefarious individuals.
The islanders come to HI for medical help and the hospitals reap the benefits of Medicaid and insurance payments. Many families end up living here on an extended basis and, though they are not full US citizens, are employed and pay state and federal taxes. They are also consumers, which feeds the economy. They have most of the rights of US citizens but cannot vote, for instance.
I wrote two emails to the Governor of HI stating the following:
Dear Governor Lingle,
We have been working with Micronesian islanders here on Oahu for 10 years. We try to help them in many ways and we visit them in the hospitals. I was surprised to learn in a recent article in the Honolulu Advertiser here ...
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090821/NEWS15/908210339/-1/localnewsfront
... that Micronesians, who have an agreement of free association with the US, will be denied critical health services here. I understand your need to cut back during this recession, but there is a difference between cutting back on employment and cutting back on life. I know many Micronesians on dialysis and chemo who, if denied these services, will have nowhere else to turn. Sending them back to their islands amounts to a death sentence for most of them.
In my view this is not an area to make cuts. Making cuts in other social services, making State employees take furloughs, etc. makes sense, but cutting back on health critical services is inhumane. I hope you will read this and reconsider your actions in this matter.
Our Lord can help people have a heart for the poor people of Micronesia, those we serve here in HI. Please pray that the hearts of those in the government will be open to helping those least able to help themselves. We understand the need for fiscal responsibility, but not at the cost of the deaths of God's people.
If the government can give out cash for clunkers, they can give cash for the lives of people.
In His hands,
Sandy Simpson
Thursday, July 16, 2009
News from Rose & Juanita
I wanted to let you in on some of the things Rose went through in being at her father's side during his last days. I want to thank you for your prayers for him and for our family during this time. Rose is now back in Hawaii and gearing up for school. Following are some emails Rose sent out. - Sandy
Rose’s Dad Report
May 30, 2009
Thank you for your prayers for my Dad. He is sleeping almost all the time. He has not urinated for about 31 hours, and no BM for 6 days. It seems his body is shutting down. His wish is to die at home, so that is where he is. I am just staying by his side and sleeping there so when he wakes for a second, he knows I am there. It is so funny the things he says to me now. Things like "I love you like a bushel of potatoes!" I am trying to joke with him and make him smile. I told him tonight that I was thinking of calling Guiness World Book of Records to see if they have a record of someone not peeing for the longest time! I said they would probably bring a whole film crew! He thought that was funny. Dad seems pretty much at peace, but I am hoping for one more opportunity where he is coherent enough to talk to him about his salvation and eternal peace. It is hard with people always here. I want him to be able to be honest and really be ready to be with his Maker. I am so thankful I have a God of forgiveness and second chances. I love my Dad and want him to get his new body and home...
June 5, 2009
I am in Alaska taking care of Dad these past 5 weeks. He has gone from being able to sit and eat to now a vegetative state. He signed a comfort one agreement and a living will which states no intravenous liquids or feeding tube. This part is hard for my brother Roger and me, but we know it would only prolong his suffering. We have him at home and have one caregiver during the day. Otherwise, it is us on duty, though we rarely leave. (We actually fired his primary caregiver for Medicare fraud, taking financial advantage of Dad because she had his bank card, incompetence, and not following his medicine instructions) We are helping to administer meds for comfort and I have learned to use the suction machine and at least can help in that way. I think Dad is ready to leave this world spiritually. He is pretty much unresponsive now. We are just praying he does not have to suffer long. We made funeral arrangements today. Thank you for your prayers during this time.
June 10, 2009
Just a note to thank you again for your prayers. My Dad passed away on the evening of Saturday, June 6th after a very long battle with COPD. My brother Roger, his wife, Marlene, and myself were with him as he passed away in his home as he wished. This was a sad and difficult time for all of us, but during his last days when he could still communicate, he assured us that he had accepted the Lord, he was at peace and he was ready to go home. When I was crying he said "You are supposed to be happy now". I said that he was right and I was happy he had a new home and body to look forward to. His wish was to be cremated. We are seeing if we can arrange a gathering next year in North Carolina at Crawford's Creek where my Dad grew up. We would have a memorial service and put his ashes there. Thanks again for your prayers and encouragements.
Juanita’s Majuro Report
From June 26th to July 6th I had the privilege of being the Guest Speaker at a Women's Conference in Majuro, Marshall Islands. I was invited by the women of the Reformed Congregational Church in Majuro. I was to teach 4 mornings, basically all morning. They allowed me to choose the subjects, so I decided, after prayer, to have 2 different streams of teaching, with crossovers between the two. One was on the Book of Jonah and the other on Family Problems - like Anger, Fear, Unfaithfulness and Selfishness. The title I gave to the teaching was: "Do you ever feel like running away?" The key verse was Rev. 2:10b: "Be faithful, even to death, and I will give you the crown of life. "
The conference began on Sunday morning, and 1 was asked to give the morning message. I spoke on "Bringing Life Out of Death" using the story of Naaman from II Kings 5. The church was packed. I was thankful for such an opportunity to make the gospel clear. 2 of the pastors of the church expressed their appreciation to me afterwards for the message. To God be the glory!
I was pleased that the 30 or so women who attended all the sessions brought their Bibles. They followed along in their Bibles and many of them took notes. They seemed to be very interested and attentive - not easy in a hot and humid climate like Micronesia. I learned that they had been anticipating this conference for a long time and had been fundraising by making things and selling them. That paid for my plane fare, hotel room and food, as well as food for all the participants, which they cooked every day.
On Friday we all went by boat to a tiny island across the lagoon for an outing and picnic. It is owned by one of my former students. We had a lovely time there, enjoying the beauty of God's amazing creation, and eating local food cooked over small firepits. We ate land crabs, fish, breadfruit, coconut, etc. That night we were all invited to the first birthday party of Catherine & Kaje's grandson. First birthdays are huge celebrations in the MarshalIs, so there were probably 200 people there, with mountains of food.
One of the special treats for me while I was in Majuro was to see some of my former students from Bethania. I was able to see 20 different ones, some of whom I haven't seen for many years. A few were able to attend the conference, but most could not because of their work schedules. Some of them came to the hotel room to visit with me. On my last night in Majuro the Bethania alumnae invited me to have dinner with them in a restaurant. It was a fun time, with the singing of some old familiar songs, and brief stories about their lives today. It made me so thankful to God for the privilege I have had to be involved in the lives of hundreds of young women during my years at Bethania and since.
I arrived home in Hawaii at 2:30 AM to live a second Monday of the same week. The first Monday was in Majuro on the other side of the International Dateline and the second in Hawaii on this side of the Dateline. I was exhausted, but very grateful for God's care for me during those days, and for the kindness and love I enjoyed with my Marshallese brothers and sisters in the Lord. Please pray that the Word of God that was planted will continue to bear fruit in their lives, and the lives of their families and church.
Rose’s Dad Report
May 30, 2009
Thank you for your prayers for my Dad. He is sleeping almost all the time. He has not urinated for about 31 hours, and no BM for 6 days. It seems his body is shutting down. His wish is to die at home, so that is where he is. I am just staying by his side and sleeping there so when he wakes for a second, he knows I am there. It is so funny the things he says to me now. Things like "I love you like a bushel of potatoes!" I am trying to joke with him and make him smile. I told him tonight that I was thinking of calling Guiness World Book of Records to see if they have a record of someone not peeing for the longest time! I said they would probably bring a whole film crew! He thought that was funny. Dad seems pretty much at peace, but I am hoping for one more opportunity where he is coherent enough to talk to him about his salvation and eternal peace. It is hard with people always here. I want him to be able to be honest and really be ready to be with his Maker. I am so thankful I have a God of forgiveness and second chances. I love my Dad and want him to get his new body and home...
June 5, 2009
I am in Alaska taking care of Dad these past 5 weeks. He has gone from being able to sit and eat to now a vegetative state. He signed a comfort one agreement and a living will which states no intravenous liquids or feeding tube. This part is hard for my brother Roger and me, but we know it would only prolong his suffering. We have him at home and have one caregiver during the day. Otherwise, it is us on duty, though we rarely leave. (We actually fired his primary caregiver for Medicare fraud, taking financial advantage of Dad because she had his bank card, incompetence, and not following his medicine instructions) We are helping to administer meds for comfort and I have learned to use the suction machine and at least can help in that way. I think Dad is ready to leave this world spiritually. He is pretty much unresponsive now. We are just praying he does not have to suffer long. We made funeral arrangements today. Thank you for your prayers during this time.
June 10, 2009
Just a note to thank you again for your prayers. My Dad passed away on the evening of Saturday, June 6th after a very long battle with COPD. My brother Roger, his wife, Marlene, and myself were with him as he passed away in his home as he wished. This was a sad and difficult time for all of us, but during his last days when he could still communicate, he assured us that he had accepted the Lord, he was at peace and he was ready to go home. When I was crying he said "You are supposed to be happy now". I said that he was right and I was happy he had a new home and body to look forward to. His wish was to be cremated. We are seeing if we can arrange a gathering next year in North Carolina at Crawford's Creek where my Dad grew up. We would have a memorial service and put his ashes there. Thanks again for your prayers and encouragements.
Juanita’s Majuro Report
From June 26th to July 6th I had the privilege of being the Guest Speaker at a Women's Conference in Majuro, Marshall Islands. I was invited by the women of the Reformed Congregational Church in Majuro. I was to teach 4 mornings, basically all morning. They allowed me to choose the subjects, so I decided, after prayer, to have 2 different streams of teaching, with crossovers between the two. One was on the Book of Jonah and the other on Family Problems - like Anger, Fear, Unfaithfulness and Selfishness. The title I gave to the teaching was: "Do you ever feel like running away?" The key verse was Rev. 2:10b: "Be faithful, even to death, and I will give you the crown of life. "
The conference began on Sunday morning, and 1 was asked to give the morning message. I spoke on "Bringing Life Out of Death" using the story of Naaman from II Kings 5. The church was packed. I was thankful for such an opportunity to make the gospel clear. 2 of the pastors of the church expressed their appreciation to me afterwards for the message. To God be the glory!
I was pleased that the 30 or so women who attended all the sessions brought their Bibles. They followed along in their Bibles and many of them took notes. They seemed to be very interested and attentive - not easy in a hot and humid climate like Micronesia. I learned that they had been anticipating this conference for a long time and had been fundraising by making things and selling them. That paid for my plane fare, hotel room and food, as well as food for all the participants, which they cooked every day.
On Friday we all went by boat to a tiny island across the lagoon for an outing and picnic. It is owned by one of my former students. We had a lovely time there, enjoying the beauty of God's amazing creation, and eating local food cooked over small firepits. We ate land crabs, fish, breadfruit, coconut, etc. That night we were all invited to the first birthday party of Catherine & Kaje's grandson. First birthdays are huge celebrations in the MarshalIs, so there were probably 200 people there, with mountains of food.
One of the special treats for me while I was in Majuro was to see some of my former students from Bethania. I was able to see 20 different ones, some of whom I haven't seen for many years. A few were able to attend the conference, but most could not because of their work schedules. Some of them came to the hotel room to visit with me. On my last night in Majuro the Bethania alumnae invited me to have dinner with them in a restaurant. It was a fun time, with the singing of some old familiar songs, and brief stories about their lives today. It made me so thankful to God for the privilege I have had to be involved in the lives of hundreds of young women during my years at Bethania and since.
I arrived home in Hawaii at 2:30 AM to live a second Monday of the same week. The first Monday was in Majuro on the other side of the International Dateline and the second in Hawaii on this side of the Dateline. I was exhausted, but very grateful for God's care for me during those days, and for the kindness and love I enjoyed with my Marshallese brothers and sisters in the Lord. Please pray that the Word of God that was planted will continue to bear fruit in their lives, and the lives of their families and church.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
