Thanks for praying!

I just want to say "thank you so very much" to all of you who have been praying for our son, John, as he endured another eye surgery this week. Thankfully, the doctors did not have to do a corneal transplant. But rather, he had to have calcium build-up scrapped from the front surface of his left eye. As you can imagine, he experienced severe pain once the anesthesia wore off. But when I spoke with him last night (2nd day after surgery) the pain had backed off quite a bit. We appreciate your care and concern for John, and your faithful prayers on his behalf.

Another answer to prayer this week came in the form of $$$$$$. God has provided (through the generous gifts of friends) for me to do the TESOL training this summer. Amazingly, just this week, $800.00 of the 1020.00 needed has come in the mail. I am blown away at God's goodness. I've heard it said that when He asks you to do something, He provides everything needed to make it happen, and I'm finding that to be very true. I praise God!!! When we were in Myanmar last fall I clearly heard God speak to me about getting the TESOL training (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Please remember me in prayer as I take this 4-week intensive course. I met our Instructor last evening (a gal from Australia) and it didn't take long to figure out that this course is not for sissies. But, God is my helper, I know that.

A huge highlight for us these days is that a young pastor friend from India (along with his wife and young son) have come to the base for 6 weeks of training. We met this couple on our first trip to India in 2005. He is from Orissa where so much persecution has taken place against Christians this past year. What a blessing to have them here! The things they've witnessed--the people that have been beaten, chopped and murdered, their homes and churches plundered and burned--it's been heart-rending for them. They have such a love for the pastors in the villages and the work of God in that place. We are so thankful for God's protection over them. And so grateful to God for the plans He has for them in ministering to the persecuted church in that region. Next weekend, Lord willing, we plan to take them to Idaho to meet the church people there that have prayed for them.