May/June 2013
…The Lord’s mercies… are new every morning:
great is thy faithfulness. Lam. 3:22, 23
Yesterday’s
dreams have become today’s realities. We
thank Him for His faithfulness in the past; we thank Him for His promised
faithfulness in the future. There are way too many of those “realities” to
mention in this short update, but enjoy thanking Him for the following few:
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| David |
We are grateful for your prayers for our little boy named
David. He has tested well enough to
begin the third phase of chemotherapy (Delayed Intensification, the most brutal
of all) for his leukemia. That protocol begins today, July 1, and consists of
56 days of constant bombardment alternating 9 different chemicals, some of
which are known to cause very serious side effects. We are praying that this
news will not distract us from the truth that God has not given us the spirit
of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind, and that as a result of
the gift of David’s cancer, his Creator will be constantly glorified. Great is His faithfulness.
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Rebeca
and María
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As
I mentioned in the previous prayer update, flutes and all other non-piano
instruments are out of my league. Though I know nothing about them except that
I like the sound that they make, I had no doubt that God had a perfect solution
for Rebeca and María. I never imagined
caring friends would rally to the cause so vigorously and sacrificially to make
this dream a reality.
Rebeca and María had
committed themselves to pray every day after I sent out the letter, that God
would provide just what they need. The donated instruments are so beautiful; it
makes me wish I played the flute! Their faith has grown, and so has mine.
Isn't it amazing to watch how God uses the "family" to get His plan
accomplished...and to be a part of it all? Great
is His faithfulness.
So far every music
student from the IBBM-Tepic church has diligently worked to learn to play his
or her instrument with the goal in mind of serving in the church…not a single
deserter! All of them passed their final exams at the Escuela Superior de
Música last week. Their work, discipline and great effort is admirable and an
amazing testimony! See their
performances here (some from not-so-flattering angles): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/54cavfxri5ylqoz/kpTEbffXPu
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José López and Joe Grimes
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| Joe and Barbara Grimes 1959 |
The
first week of June, we celebrated the 1-year anniversary of the dedication
service for the multi-purpose auditorium at the Huichol village of La
Bendición. It was a big deal with lots of music, spicy food with hand-flapped
tortillas, and messages by pastors Martín, Nacho and several Huichol pastors. When
Benjamín asked me to share something, I hobbled to the platform with the 2nd
of my sprained ankles this year and could hardly hold back the tears as I
looked out over that sea of wide-eyed, smiling brothers and sisters. I told
them I wasn’t going to preach; they know I don’t do that, but I did have
something very important to share with them. I drew attention to my sprained
ankle supported by its all-too-familiar brace. I shared that I’ve found
firsthand what happens when one member of the body doesn’t function as it
should. The whole body hurts as a result,
and other parts need to compensate. I
reminded them of what a wonderful celebration this was and that just one year
ago, their beloved Joe Grimes, Huichol Bible translator, was there celebrating
with us. They all nodded and an
affirming buzz rippled across the congregation. Most of them knew that he was
facing open-heart surgery for aortic valve replacement and that his wife, Barbara,
had just recently suffered a debilitating stroke. I asked them to stand to their feet and lift
their hand if they were willing to commit to join me in praying every day for
Joe and Barbara as his surgery was scheduled for the following Friday. Just happened to have my camera with me!
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La Bendición
|
The surgery was successful; please join with
us in praying for Joe and Barbara’s continued recuperation. We’re scheduled to have another Old Testament
translation workshop after the rainy season is over. We’d love
for Joe to be here for that. Great is His
faithfulness.
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| Nicolasa and "Second" Samuel |
Just for fun: Nicolasa,
Pastor Refugio’s wife, just had their 4th baby the week of the
anniversary celebration. After they had
their 2 girls, they prayed and asked God to please give them a son. The day
after he was born in 2008, the year after they left Guásima del Caimán because
of extreme persecution, to establish the village and church of La Bendición, I
went to help them through the hospital red tape. Refugio asked me to name their new little
boy. I told them the OT story of Hannah
and suggested Samuel. Now they wanted to know what to name this little boy. I
told them to ask Samuel. They said they already had; he suggested “Second
Samuel”! That little 5-year-old is going
to be just as sharp as his daddy! Wish
we could have him on the translation team! Great is His faithfulness.
Labels: La Bendición anniversary Grimes David Rebeca María flutes aortic stenosis
