New update: Family News first... Thank you for praying for Keiths finger. He has been on a roll lately going from doctor to doctor. When we went back for his six month checkup, the doctor who did the ligament surgery took new x-rays and asked us to return in a week to see a friend of his. At the new appointment, Keith was told that he had two options. He could have what is basically a knuckle replacement done (not recommended by this doctor) or he could have the finger immobilized permanently by having a screw inserted surgically. Both our original doctor and his friend recommended the fusion option because it would take away the pain and it would straighten the finger. We did not, however, like either option and began, with the help and encouragement of our Spanish friends, to search for a better solution. One good friend from the states even arranged for a gift of travel miles for Keith to get a second opinion in the states. After talking to 5 other doctors who had reviewed Keiths case (including one from the states), Keith met this past week with a hand surgeon here who recommended that Keith wait on fusing the finger (and that he not do the replacement surgery due to his active lifestyle). Today, we received an email from a hand surgeon in Grand Rapids, MI that confirmed that the best thing to do is to not fuse the finger at this time. We will be contacting him in the days ahead to see what he would recommend for Keith. So we thank God, even as we continue to search for what to do, that He guides and has given us peace about waiting to do anything. Please continue to pray for wisdom and guidance. Jody has begun walking with two of the neighbor ladies. It all started with a comment about Rubi, our golden retriever, needing to exercise, and it went on from there. Little did she know that they walk pretty much every day for about 1 and 1/2 hours! Blistered and bandaged feet aside, she is enjoying getting some exercise and getting to know our neighbors better. Jody does not go every day, but joins them usually 3 times a week. The kids are continuing on in their studies. Cody is also helping out with the music at the Strong Tower church plant, while Cal keeps the computer and projector running smoothly. We thank God that they are able to each use their specific gifts to honor Him and to help us in the work. Candace is plugging away at those upper science classes at LeTourneau. We look forward to having her with us for Christmas. Strong Tower News: We are so very excited to announce that the Strong Tower Center is officially up and running! After almost three months of remodeling and working hard to bring the locale up to code, we have been granted the license to hold meetings in our new place! Thank you for your prayers and your sacrificial gifts that have brought us to this point in ministry. We have added bathrooms, changed stairs, added ventilation, lowered ceilings, painted, sanded, cleaned, cleaned, cleaned, painted some more and finally almost all is done, except for more cleaning. The few things that are not finished (due to lack of funds) are things that we will add as the Lord provides...a kitchen and a heating/airconditioning unit. We were blessed to be able to have our first unofficial service on October 27th, at 11AM. We had 29 in attendance, with three families being from our Coslada and Alameda sister churches. God has encouraged us by providing helpers in the work. Raul has been helping on the music team and doing a great job. David, along with his wife Kimberly, is a recent seminary graduate who has committed to help us out through at least the end of the year. What a joy to have these brothers and sisters in Christ supporting us. Praise the Lord! We received our paperwork last week, and Saturday we hosted an open house for our friends and neighbors. We invited many, and we were happy to see the locale full to overflowing. Please continue to pray as we begin activities designed to reach out to our communities. We are offering English classes, cooking classes, and other activities. This Saturday is a Tres Hilos youth rally at the locale. Please pray for this also, as we seek to encourage teens to draw closer to Christ. Well, it has been a long letter, but it has been a busy month and a half since our last. We are entering a season of activity that includes seminars, a conference, and all the activities and planning of beginning a new work. We count on you holding up our arms in prayer. Thank you. You are a vital part of our ministry. Praising God from whom all blessings flow, Keith and Jody, Candace, Cody, and Cal
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 21:16:18 +0000
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