DEAR TEAM MEMBERS,
WHAT A YEAR: It is hard to believe another year had flown by BUT IT HAS!!!! Lives have been changed with the Gospel message being translated in remote areas, and clearly understood, and lives trusting in Jesus as their Savior. A number of close friends have GRADUATED to heaven. They are dearly missed, BUT we are thankful they are with their SAVIOR, WHO they loved and sooo faithfully served.
WHAT A MONTH: Charlie was admitted to hospital on December 20th with pneumonia, high fever, horrible cough, and increased blood pressure. I was in the hospital on December 13th for four days to have a heart ablation and adjust medicines. Then on December 22nd my heart acted up again and was admitted to a different hospital than Charlie was in!! Charlie came home on the 23rd and I came home on the 24th. We are ever so thankful for the PRAYERS and HELP of SOOOO MANY!!!
While in the hospital, I was amazed at all the different countries the staff came from: American, El Salvador, Haiti, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Colombia, the Philippians, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Russia, England, and the Bahamas!!! Many opportunities to share our faith in Jesus Christ!
WHAT A DAY: Having just returned home from different hospitals, we had the JOY of being together, to CELEBRATE the BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR – THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!!! Feeling wiped out, BUT thankful to be alive and for the “PEACE OF GOD THAT PASSETH ALL UNTERSTANDING!!!”
WHAT A FUTURE: Charlie is inching along, gaining strength day by day. Pneumonia can sure kick the stuffing out of one!!!! I am doing better than Charlie and gaining strength back. I had an appointment with my oncologist on January 2nd and one with my local cardiologist on the 3rd – both went well, BUT then later on the 3rd my heart acted up again for 22 hours!! I saw the specialist in Orlando on the 9th. He is tweeting my medications again. Knowing the medications he is changing, we trust this change will help my heart to settle better!!!! We sure appreciate your CONTINUED PRAYERS!!!!
With lots going on in our lives, we are thinking of possibly sending out our email UPDATES every other month, instead of every month. We know you will understand!!!!! We can still put short UPDATES on Face Book and send out an email if needed.
PLEASE PRAY FOR AUSTRALIA!!!! Many of you would know about the HORRIBLE FIRES in Australia which keep spreading!!! Please be praying for rain, and a change in the HORRIBLY HOT WEATHER!!!! We have heard that rain has come up the eastern coast, but the fires are now raging down the coast south in Victoria. Our son Ben said it has got up to 117 degrees Fahrenheit!!!! Ben and his family had to evacuate once but were allowed to go back home. The air quality is BAD!!!! We heard of three men who took refuge in their water dam – all was lost, but their lives were spared for which we thank the Lord!!! Thank you all for your CONTINUED PRAYERS!!!
We are thankful for the way the Lord has provided for us to be able to purchase tickets to be able to go visit our son Ben and his family in Australia. It has been over six years since we have seen them, with so much going on in my life health-wise. My heart specialist encouraged us to plan to go then, so we have booked to fly out of Orlando on April 2nd and return on May 30th. We did take out flight insurance and appreciate your prayers that all will go smoothly!!!
GOD BLESS YOU and may this NEW YEAR be filled with ENCOURAGEMENTS from our LORD JESUS CHRIST!!!
WITH OUR LOVE,
Charlie & Cherrie
The following verses have really encouraged our hearts these days:
- “Ye thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for though art with me:” Psalm 23:4
- “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
- “Come unto me, and I will give you rest – “ Matthew 11:28
- “As thy days, so shalt thy strength be.” Deuteronomy 33:25b
- “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee; Psalms 55:22
- “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
- “The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms;” Deuteronomy 33:27