Greetings to all of our friends and supporters in 2018. It’s hard to believe that it’s already March. We trust the year is off to a good start for all of you.
MRC news
Cars and Medical Coaching 2017 - In our MRC Update last December we gave some highlights of what MRC was involved in during 2017. Two things we did not mention are the cars that we have loaned to missionary families and the medical coaching that Dr. Ringenberg has been doing. During 2017 we loaned cars to 13 different families and Dr. Ringenberg spoke with about 50 different workers concerning medical issues they have been facing. We again praise the Lord for the privilege of helping meet needs of these families serving overseas.
Debriefing 2018 - In January Linn and I had the privilege of Debriefing a couple who had served overseas for over 30 years. Here is what they wrote concerning that time:
We spent 5 very profitable days with John and Linn in a quiet place away from our normal routine. The aim was to review and pray over our many years of service in SE Asia. They led us in brief Bible studies followed by in-depth assessments of the stresses/losses we had encountered during those years. After time in prayer we sensed God directing us in some important decisions related to family and ministry matters. We ended the debrief giving to the Lord the burdens we still have been carrying. John and Linn are excellent listeners and their own experience in ministry overseas helped them connect well with us.
This week Linn debriefed a single gal who was overseas for a short term of service. In March we have a debrief scheduled with another couple and I am scheduled to debrief another missionary later this spring. Then we have two group debriefs scheduled for the summer in north Georgia.
Pray: Again, please ask the Lord to use these DEBRIEFS to refresh and encourage these servants of His.
Linn to Portugal – This summer one couple with whom we ministered during our time in Portugal is moving back to the States after over 30 years of ministry there. You can imagine how difficult it would be to pull up roots and return to the US after so long in another country, so the end of May, Linn is flying to Portugal to spend a week there helping them pack and get ready to move. Join us in asking the Lord to make this a great help to them as well as emotional encouragement and support to them.
Family news/challenges
Children and grandkids - We are so glad and thankful that all three of our children live here in the Raleigh area and are doing well. What fun also to be able to see and enjoy our grandkids at these young ages! We constantly thank the Lord for this privilege!
Siblings - But our siblings continue to have many challenges. Linn's sister Betsy who has had all of the emotional and psychological problems is now living with their older sister, Sarah. That seems to be going very well for which we are very grateful. Her other sister, who had the stroke last fall, is doing OK, but her husband just this week had 5-bypass heart surgery. He made it through the surgery OK but they will be needing assistance when he gets home so Linn and I will be going to GA Sunday to help during his recuperation. John's sister, Connie, is still at the assisted living facility and has generally been doing well. Last week, however, there was a crisis (she acted-out with a couple residents) and for several days we thought she might have to leave that facility. But, praise the Lord, it seems that the situation has been resolved and now looks like she will probably be able to stay.
We continue to be very thankful for the health and energy that we have to be able to serve our extended family, but we very much need and appreciate your prayers for balance in helping siblings and doing ministry. You are such a blessing to us… and therefore also to many who serve our Savior around the world. We pray for you regularly so please let us know if there are specific things that you would like for us to bring before His throne.
Much love from our house to yours,
John and Linn
MRC news
Cars and Medical Coaching 2017 - In our MRC Update last December we gave some highlights of what MRC was involved in during 2017. Two things we did not mention are the cars that we have loaned to missionary families and the medical coaching that Dr. Ringenberg has been doing. During 2017 we loaned cars to 13 different families and Dr. Ringenberg spoke with about 50 different workers concerning medical issues they have been facing. We again praise the Lord for the privilege of helping meet needs of these families serving overseas.
Debriefing 2018 - In January Linn and I had the privilege of Debriefing a couple who had served overseas for over 30 years. Here is what they wrote concerning that time:
We spent 5 very profitable days with John and Linn in a quiet place away from our normal routine. The aim was to review and pray over our many years of service in SE Asia. They led us in brief Bible studies followed by in-depth assessments of the stresses/losses we had encountered during those years. After time in prayer we sensed God directing us in some important decisions related to family and ministry matters. We ended the debrief giving to the Lord the burdens we still have been carrying. John and Linn are excellent listeners and their own experience in ministry overseas helped them connect well with us.
This week Linn debriefed a single gal who was overseas for a short term of service. In March we have a debrief scheduled with another couple and I am scheduled to debrief another missionary later this spring. Then we have two group debriefs scheduled for the summer in north Georgia.
Pray: Again, please ask the Lord to use these DEBRIEFS to refresh and encourage these servants of His.
Linn to Portugal – This summer one couple with whom we ministered during our time in Portugal is moving back to the States after over 30 years of ministry there. You can imagine how difficult it would be to pull up roots and return to the US after so long in another country, so the end of May, Linn is flying to Portugal to spend a week there helping them pack and get ready to move. Join us in asking the Lord to make this a great help to them as well as emotional encouragement and support to them.
Family news/challenges
Children and grandkids - We are so glad and thankful that all three of our children live here in the Raleigh area and are doing well. What fun also to be able to see and enjoy our grandkids at these young ages! We constantly thank the Lord for this privilege!
Siblings - But our siblings continue to have many challenges. Linn's sister Betsy who has had all of the emotional and psychological problems is now living with their older sister, Sarah. That seems to be going very well for which we are very grateful. Her other sister, who had the stroke last fall, is doing OK, but her husband just this week had 5-bypass heart surgery. He made it through the surgery OK but they will be needing assistance when he gets home so Linn and I will be going to GA Sunday to help during his recuperation. John's sister, Connie, is still at the assisted living facility and has generally been doing well. Last week, however, there was a crisis (she acted-out with a couple residents) and for several days we thought she might have to leave that facility. But, praise the Lord, it seems that the situation has been resolved and now looks like she will probably be able to stay.
We continue to be very thankful for the health and energy that we have to be able to serve our extended family, but we very much need and appreciate your prayers for balance in helping siblings and doing ministry. You are such a blessing to us… and therefore also to many who serve our Savior around the world. We pray for you regularly so please let us know if there are specific things that you would like for us to bring before His throne.
Much love from our house to yours,
John and Linn
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