Friday, 22 August 2008
Dear Precious Friends and Family,
Praise God from whom all blessings flow…including water! The water company finally delivered water this week. There was a water main break in the village before we arrived and the water was turned off. We were purchasing water, taking cup(bucket) baths and even using pool water for the toilet. At least we were able to use the bathroom for bathing and toileting, which is unlike what we have done in refugee camps.
The Dental and Allied Health (Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy) Team arrived home safely on Sunday after serving over 600 patients. A Pastor shared with Steve and I that he has been in pain with wisdom teeth for many years and he was able to have them extracted. His family also was served and he said that it would have cost his family 3000TT for the care they received. This is equal to about $500 which he could not afford. Sadly our Allied Health team saw Brittany, a 7 yr old little girl with severe cerebral palsy who had not received services previous to this time. On this island there are only 3 physical therapists! Hope Williams, an MTW (Mission to the World) administrator and I grew attached to her. Hope is trying to find help for her and her Mom. Brittany must be carried everywhere and the only assistance her mother has is a town reporter that will come once weekly and drive them to town.
Each Sunday, I am teaching children’s Sunday School and they are learning about the book of Acts. Steve is leading music and teaching adult Sunday School. In the evening Steve is giving the message at Carlsen Field, where they are hearing about Esther. It is a very poor area and each week Covenant Reformed Evangelical Church brings food to feed them. The children receive food daily when school is in session however there is no school during July and August and part of September.
We are learning that the ministries here are growing as we take calls for Mars Hill Institute of Biblical Theology and the Radio Program(ISAAC Radio 98.1). Callers ask for catalogs for Seminary courses, Cd’s, books and Bibles and have other questions about theology and life. Steve is hosting the Mars Hill radio program for Pastor McGee and continues to teach the MINTS seminary course he wrote on Romans, each weekend.
Please pray for the church as they have to move to a new facility on Sept 30 when their lease expires. They have really outgrown their building anyway but it is a poor church so finances will be tight.. Pastors Ricky Gosyne and Steve McGee found this facility before Steve departed for vacation. Pastor Ricky is working on the lease agreement. Praise God!
Please pray for:
1) Steve’s stamina and God’s wisdom as he prepares his course, delivers the radio programs and teaches Sunday School
2) Karen as she leads Youth group with Pastor Ricky and teaches Sunday School and leads the ladies in Prayer on Wed evenings.
3) Brittany would be able to receive Physical Therapy and her Mom could get assistance.
4) WASA (the water company) would find the water main break and reconnect so there would be a constant water source here. Praise for water!
5) That the people here will see Jesus through our ministry
6) Rest and relaxation and travel safety for the McGee family as they enjoy their first vacation in five years.
7) The Carlsen Field children…that the Sunday program there will be a blessing to them.
8) That God would raise up people to come and assist Pastors Steve McGee and Ricky Gosyne with the Church ministries, Radio programs, and Seminary.
9) Finances for the church building and food to feed the hungry children in Carlsen Field.
10) Our families at home
Thank-you so much for your encouraging letters and prayers!
We Love you and miss you all!
Karen and Steve
(Phil. 4:13)
