Answers to Prayer

Driving down to Indianapolis area through the blowing snow was a bit of a challenge along part of the route, but God got us safely there last Thursday evening. It was fun working together with our son-in-law and daughter, Kevin and Hannah, and their six children as we helped them move into their new house. The children were able to go outside and play in the snow as the movers placed the furniture. They also enjoyed listening to Grandpa tell stories, sitting on his lap in front of the big window. What an answer to prayer that they are finally moved in. They are delighted with the new home the Lord has given. Pray that God will use it as a loving place to bring people to know Him. Pray for their old house to sell soon.

On Saturday we drove north up to McBain Baptist Church and enjoyed great fellowship in their missions conference. God was answering prayer and working greatly. People were challenged to go wherever God leads and do whatever He directs. God displayed His beautiful handiwork in the snow piled on the branches of the trees as we drove.

With just three months remaining in our furlough, we so desire that we would use the time wisely and accomplish all that God directs. Please pray for clear direction and joy in Him.

“Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.”  Psalm 5:1

Continuing by Prayer

God is continuing to care for us as we travel to visit churches and individuals during this furlough. The ten months is going fast. Hubert has purchased his airline tickets to return to Cambodia April 17. I will purchase mine soon, coordinating around the schedule of several other people.  Pray for wisdom in planning, and for God to direct our paths.

Please continue to pray for the paperwork in Koh Kong for the medical team going there to work in May. We need the permission of the local health department. Also pray for the team members preparing to go. Pray for God to prepare translators and to prepare hearts of people to whom we will minister.

K., a believer in Koh Kong is facing increased health problems again. Please pray for God to intervene and meet his needs.

Thank you for your intercessory prayer.

“…Continuing instant in prayer”  Romans 12:12

Opportunities

Today we said good-bye to our children Jonathan and  Cherith Teachout and their kids as they left Michigan driving to Pennsylvania. From there they plan to return to France to begin another term of missionary service. Good-byes are never easy, but we thank God for allowing them to serve Him in that needy place. Please pray for God to use them in a great way and that many people will turn to Christ through their witness.

Next week I am scheduled to begin extra training in ultrasound and X-ray interpretation. Holland Hospital radiology department has graciously allowed me to spend two days a week for the next two months with them. Please pray that I will learn a lot and that it will be a help to the hospital in Koh Kong when I return to pass on what I learn to the Cambodian doctors.

Please pray for our speaking engagements in January:

1/5/12    Northpoint High School, Grand Rapids, MI

1/8/12    Liberty Baptist Church, Reed City, MI

1/14-15/12  McBain Baptist Church missionary conference, McBain, MI

1/22/12  Blessed Hope Baptist Church, Huber Heights, OH

1/29/12  Colonial Baptist Church, Roanoke, VA

“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” 

1 Peter 4:7

Christian Families

God gave us a very special Christmas. We celebrated Christ’s first coming, and rejoiced that He is coming again. Four of our five children and their families were with us here in Michigan, and we skyped our youngest daughter in Asia. The peace, love, and joy that were present in the gatherings with family and friends were such blessings from the Lord.  The music and Christmas programs exulted God. The special Christmas foods were delicious. God even gave us snow for our Christmas celebration on the 24^th. The grandkids and their Dads and Grandpas had a good snowball fight outside and made a snowman. It was fun exchanging gifts. Truly we have much to thank God for.

But as we were surrounded by our loving family and many friends who are also in God’s family, we thought of our Cambodian believers in Koh Kong who do not share this blessing. Most of them are the only Christians in their families. It is not easy for them living in homes that oppose things pertaining to Christ. They are constantly surrounded by the world. Praise God they have the church as their spiritual family and friends. Please pray that the spouses, siblings, parents, grandparents, and children of these Christians would turn to Jesus for salvation.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Please pray for paperwork in Koh Kong

Late May through early June 2012 a medical team is planning to come serve the Lord with us in Koh Kong. Mobile medical clinics have been greatly used of the Lord in the past as a means to carry the gospel to large numbers of people in Cambodia. Families bring their loved ones often from remote places to receive medical treatment. They see the compassionate care of the Christian medical team and hear about the loving Savior who invites them to believe on Him. Some make decisions to receive salvation.

Teams are composed of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, other health care workers and helpers who come from the States for about two weeks. Then there are Christians in Koh Kong who preach and witness one-on-one to those who come to the clinics. Besides these there are translators for those who come from the States. Medicines are purchased in the capital, Phnom Penh. Some supplies are brought out from the USA. There are trans-oceanic travel arrangements to be made by the team coming out. We arrange housing, meals and local transportation for taking the whole team around to the clinic sites.     The team must have the permission of local authorities in order to work in Cambodia.

Please pray for the important step we are presently working on – that of obtaining permission from the Koh Kong ministry of health. Since Hubert and I are still on furlough, I cannot talk to the offices directly myself.  I have sent letters to Koh Kong with our requests. L. and Dr. L. in Koh Kong are involved right now to present the letters to the right people and communicate back with me. Let’s watch the Lord work in accomplishing this step.

“Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7

Christmas in the East today

The Christmas celebration at Koh Kong Baptist Church was a joyous feast together. The believers prepared rice and curry, fried chicken, and many other special dishes. The fellowship was great. They praised God for His blessings during the past year. Commemorating the first advent of our precious Lord Jesus is such a special time of the year. What a contrast to the darkness of Buddhists and Moslems around them. The Christians rejoice together in knowing the Savior who came to earth, and is King over all kingdoms and nations.  The dinner was held on December 11 because several of the members will be traveling out of town in the next two weeks. Please pray that God would give them safety and use them for His glory wherever they go.

God continues to help Lalin as he leads the church. He is still unable to get ice cream for his ice cream shop because of the recent flooding in Thailand. Also he needs to go to the capital, Phnom Penh, in order to get a new license plate for our motorcycle. Please pray for God to help him in these matters.

Praise God for His people around the world celebrating, and sharing the good news of Christ. Thank you for praying.

 “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem” Matthew 2:1

Family

This Christmas season as we are in the States, God is giving us many special times with relatives. We appreciate your prayers for a few special requests for some of our family.

-          My mother, Fran Hovingh, in assisted living. She is still able to get out a lot, but tires easily.

-          Hannah and Kevin Sherd, our daughter and son-in-law as they homeschool their six children and as they are trying to sell their house in Carmel, IN, and move to a home in the country.

-          Cherith and Jonathan Teachout, our daughter and son-in-law as they home school their three children and finish up a six month furlough. They plan to return to France Jan. 17.

-          Davar and Shauntelle Broeckert, our son and daughter-in-law in Alberta, Canada. They are planning to fly to Grand Rapids, MI and stay with us for 3 days at Christmas.

May you have a joyous Christmas season and special times with friends and family.

“Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty…”  Rev. 15:3