Baby Layettes

Before ministering in SE Asia, Hubert and I worked several years in Central African Republic (CAR) at Baptist Mid-Missions’ Ippy Hospital. The hospital was turned over to national medical evangelists who had received their training at the hospital. There is also a medical clinic in Bangassou, CAR, continuing the medical ministry.  These Central African Christians continue to care for patients, assist in delivering babies, do emergency surgery, and give forth the gospel. One thing which is helpful in encouraging women to come to the hospital for deliveries is giving them a layette for their new babies. The medical works in CAR are in need of more layettes. If you know of ladies’ groups in American churches who are interested in making layettes to send to CAR, please contact Dr. Rhodes at (269) 849-3255. They can also use rolled bandages. Pray for God to give wisdom and fruit in the harvest field of CAR.

Also please pray for Hubert and I at Faith Baptist Bible College missions’ conference this week in Ankeny, Iowa, presenting God’s work through medical missions. Pray for the Spirit of God to work in hearts in a great way. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer with us.

“Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done…” Psalm 40:5

Preparations

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands!” Psalm 100:1

Praise God for using His people in just the right places and times. It is amazing to see. God used one of our church ladies’ groups to provide a complete set of Kids Play hand bells and accompanying materials for us to use with the youth and children in Cambodia. It will be exciting to work with the Cambodians to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. God also provided, through other friends, more medical supplies and instruments that I needed to take with me for the work in Cambodia.

Visa applications for my sister Sue and I to visit our youngest daughter are being processed in Chicago right now. Please keep praying for that to be completed smoothly. We look forward to having a few days with her on our way to Cambodia. We also plan to visit with our son Davar and family in Alberta for a couple days. Pray that God will make us a blessing each place He takes us.

Hubert and Thom are working on fixing up our duplex next to us here in Allendale. They are preparing it for new renters.

Please continue to pray that God would prepare us for the work He has for us in the coming term.

Schedule

Please be in prayer for God to prepare us and use us in the next two months.

Our schedule:

March 9  First Baptist Church Ladies’ Night Out, Alto, MI

March 12  Bible Club at the elementary School, Allendale, MI

March 16-24  Trip to Colorado Springs, CO, with Kevin and Hannah & family

March 26-30  Faith Baptist Bible College Missions Conference, Akney IA

April 10   Women’s Missionary Union, Good News Baptist Church, Grand Rapids, MI

April 17  Faith Baptist Church Ladies’ Tea, Muskegon, MI

April 17  Hubert flies back to Cambodia

April 25  Sue and I fly out

 “The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.”  Psalm 29:11

God's Faithfulness

Our four day trip to Wisconsin this past weekend held quite a variety. It began with lots of snow and slippery roads. About a mile from home a deer ran out and met the front of our car with a thud. But it bounded off and no damage was done to our vehicle. Praise the Lord for His protection. Then as we watched other cars sliding on the freeway we thanked God again for His hand on us. On the south end of Lake Michigan there was no snow, but north of Chicago we enjoyed the white beauty again. Time with family was so special. On Sunday the services and people at First Baptist Church in Hubert’s hometown of Kiel were a blessing to us. We reported on God’s work in Cambodia to them. Thank you for praying.

Driving back on Monday, I reflected on God’s faithfulness through the years, on many fun memories, on times of God’s hand giving victories, and on the glorious future He is preparing. I received several phone calls giving birthday greetings. A birthday cake reading “Happy Birthday Mom”, e-cards, regular cards, and many Facebook greetings were waiting when we arrived home. It was a unique and happy day of celebration.

Please pray for a visa for me to visit our youngest daughter on the way back to Cambodia. We need to get the right paperwork.

“…His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

 Lamentations 3:22,23

Progress Notes

In our prayer letter at the beginning of February we asked prayer for housing for our daughter and son-in-law, Jonathan and Cherith Teachout, in France. Praise the Lord for providing! They will be moving into a new house near Bordeau this week. Pray that their phone would get hooked up and other details settled. Pray that they would make many new friends and shine as a light in the darkness. The children need new friends too. They desire to see a new church established.

This coming weekend we are looking forward to traveling to Wisconsin. There will be some fun time with Kevin and Hannah Sherd (another daughter and son-in-law), then a family reunion with Hubert’s cousins. Most of them are unsaved. Pray for God to give us the right words for that time. Sunday the 26th we plan to be ministering at First Baptist Church in Kiel. Pray for God to bless in those meetings.

With the end of the month of February comes the end of my radiology training at Holland Hospital. Thank you for praying. The physicians and staff have been so helpful. I have learned a lot and I have websites and books to continue studying on my own.

“…That utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel” Eph 6:19

LOVE

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”  Jer. 31:3.

 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…” 1 John 3:1

 We marvel at God’s love for us. And all over the world He is drawing people to Himself in love. Pray for more people in Cambodia to receive their gracious Savior.

This past week we received emails from a couple of the Christian young men from Koh Kong who are currently studying in universities in Phnom Penh. They had theological questions. Hubert was able to show them answers from the Scriptures via return emails. They are hearing various teachings in their wider sphere of contacts now. We are grateful that they are like the Bereans, “…Examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11.  Pray that they would not be led astray, but rather would be strengthened in the truth. “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of...” 2 Tim. 3:14

That God's Name Be Declared

It is only 2½ months until we leave to return to Cambodia. We anticipate God doing great things ahead.  There are a few items we are looking for to take back with us yet. Hubert wants to go ahead of me and prepare the house. I am excited that my sister Sue Meerman plans to travel with me to Cambodia. She loves teaching the Word of God and is a nurse. I’m sure God will use her much there. We hope to visit some of our children who are in other countries on the way. Pray for God to guide us in preparations.

The church in Koh Kong was happy that the unsaved father of a couple believers in the church came to the service last Sunday. We have been praying that God would save some Cambodians there and that the church would grow even now while we are away.

God answered prayer and I received an email from one doctor in Koh Kong letting me know that the request for the May medical team is being processed. Please keep praying that we would get a clear approval from the health office in Koh Kong. God will accomplish what is needed.

“…For to show in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.”  Ex. 9:16