An email. sent out July 17th

Dear All,

From so far away it is difficult to know what to say about Betty, except that she is in the hands of her Loving Heavenly Father and only He knows the whole situation and His plan. As I think you are aware, Betty had a G-tube inserted, someone had said that after that, with proper nutrition, she would "bounce back" - but, the reality of the situation is that after an initial slight improvement - her situation seems to have deteriorated.
She is in severe pain, is on heavy medication for this but even so, the pain is not being relieved, because of this, it is becoming more difficult for her to be propped up for her feeds. We have very little explanation, at this point, as to her real situation. Heavy sedation and a bacterial infection are making it more difficult for her to talk.
We thank you for praying for her and for us.

On this side - we do praise the Lord for answered prayer and for the tremendous help and support the counsellors were in the camps which have just finished. Also, every one of the speakers turned up in good time. We certainly have much to praise and thank the Lord for. Especially, are we thankful, for those whose lives were touched and changed - and we continue to support and pray for them. Thankyou for your great part in the Lord's work here. School exams are just about to start and following that of course, is the wonderful job of marking - being as these are the largest exams of the year!

Assembly wise, Don has many responsibilities, do pray regarding the assembly here - and for Don and the one brother who have been left with a great load. Much spiritual grace and wisdom is needed.

I thought the poem by Henry H. Barry, in the Counsel Magazine was very appropriate -

He Leadeth Me.

In "green pastures"? Not always;
sometimes He, Who knowest best,
in kindness leadeth me
In weary ways, where heavy shadows be,
Out of the sunshine, warm and soft and bright,
Out of the sunshine, into darkest night,
I oft would faint with sorrows and affright,
Only for this: I know He holds my hand;

So, whether led in green or desert land,
I trust, although I may not understand.
Beside "still waters"? No, not always so;
Oftimes the heavy tempests 'round me blow,
And o'er my soul the waves and billows go.
But when the storms beat loudest, and I cry
Aloud for help, the Master standeth by,
and whispers to my soul, "Lo, it is I."
Above the tempest wild I hear Him say:
"beyond this darkness lies the perfect day;
In every path of thine I lead the way.

"So, whether on the hill-tops, high and fair I dwell,
or in the sunless valleys where The shadows lie,
what matter? He is there.
And more than this; where'er the pathway lead,
He gives to me no helpless, broken reed,
But His own hand, sufficient for my need.

In the One who is working out His perfect plan,
thanking you for your great part,

A Humbling Experience

Some weeks ago, we visited a small assembly, which we had not visited since our return in January. We learned that an older brother in that assembly was unwell, so after the meetings we passed by his village in order to greet him and see how he was. We found him quite weak and unwell and Elva was able to help him with some medicines. This dear brother is quite deaf and you would suspect, often misses things because of that. He was so delighted to see us both, and the first thing he asked Elva was, (note that he hadn’t seen her for 5 months), “How is your father? I have been praying for you and wondering how you were and how the father is. Just yesterday I learned that you were in Kabompo, but no one could tell me his condition.” What an encouragement and how humbling, that a brother who is so unwell himself, and so frail, could take the time to pray for us, even although he hadn’t seen or heard anything for all that time. In addition he proceeded to say how happy he was that we were both back together, as he had been feeling sorry for Don and praying for him, during the time that we had been separated. It was a challenge to us as we asked ourselves about our own consistency to pray for others in their troubles, especially when difficulties seem to mount up in our own lives. Don proceeded to try and tell him, what he had shared with the believers that morning but his deafness made this almost impossible. Then this brother told us of what he had been rejoicing in that day, the intercessory work of our Lord – which had also been part of Don’s message to the believers. How wonderful that the Holy Spirit was bringing to his mind, the messages that his brothers were receiving, and even although physically unable to hear, he was being fed and led, by the Holy Spirit!
We have just returned from the Senior Girls’ camp where we had 99 girls from grade 11& 12. We had a 4-day weekend where they were presented with many “Choices” and given examples from the Bible of good and bad choices and their consequences. We do thank the Lord that they listened well, did very well in their memory work and there was a good atmosphere amongst both the campers and the Counsellors. We thank the Lord for those who came for one on one counselling and for those who expressed a desire to give their lives to the Lord. Thank you to all who have prayed – please continue to support them and us in your prayers.
We have been going through a trying time of late and so much appreciate the prayers of the Lords people.