"I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos,
for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet," Revelation 1:9-10
Our praying friends and family in the Lord,
John the Revelator, the beloved disciple, he who pillowed his head over the heart of the Lord Jesus, when writing his introduction, could have listed any number of experiences to establish his credentials. Yet, above everything, he claims kinship: "who also am your brother." It's good to have a brother, a fellow member of the family, one in fellowship and relationship, seated at the same table, basking in the love of the same father. And yet, Brother John also claims companionship. He states that he is our "companion in tribulation." If a brother in blessedness is good, how much more a friend, and fellow traveler through life's tribulations? To have someone with you when you face uncertainty is worth more than gold. As a final credential, Brother John notes his citizenship in the "kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ." Not only, he declares, are we members of the same family, but we're also companions on the same journey, fraught with danger, headed homeward to the celestial city where we'll reside forever.
I am thankful today for God's children, for each and every brother and sister in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our God has a great big family that spans the world over. And wherever you meet a brother or sister, there's a little slice of home; in the presence of family, you can't feel like a stranger. I am twice-blessed to have fellow-helpers in time of heartache. The Lord ensures that His own are never alone, that when troubles come and storms arise, there are hands outstretched to lift you, arms open wide to embrace you, ears to hear your cries and complaints, eyes open in watchful waiting.
As many of you already know, the end of March found us in need of help, spiritually and physically. My wife, feeling uneasy in body and mind, visited her doctor. We learned, to our surprise, that she was expecting. However, there was a problem apparent in the ultrasound. The doctor said the problem could be taken care of with a small procedure, which she readily performed, except it couldn't, and wasn't. Having failed, the doctor suggested an abortion was the best alternative. An abortion, she assured, would prevent any and all complications with the developing fetus as well as Hannah's health. We absolutely refused and were met with cold indifference. Leaving the doctor's, we resolved that Hannah should immediately return to America and give this little miracle every fighting chance to survive. We committed everything into the hands of our good God and made the arrangements. That was Tuesday afternoon; by Thursday morning, she was on a plane bound for America. Friday morning, she walked into the ER in Bristol, Tennessee. After a battery of tests, the ER doctors reached the same conclusion: There was an obstruction to fetal development in the womb that could be easily extracted, except it couldn't, and wasn't. Having failed, they assured us that even though there was an obstruction, they would monitor every step of fetal development to ensure survival. Hannah would not be allowed to travel. Further, they recommended her to a well-known specialist in the field. They sent all the information ahead, and the doctor readily agreed to see Hannah. That was Friday; the appointment with the specialist would be on Tuesday. When this problem first arose, I posted about it on Facebook, requesting prayer. That post went the world over and was seen by thousands. People were praying everywhere. Our little group of missionaries were praying. Our nationals and churches here were praying. It came into my heart that Friday, after learning what the ER doctors had said, that if the Holy Ghost could enter the womb of Elizabeth and fill John the Baptist, yet unborn, with the Spirit, that it wouldn't be any trouble at all for Him to see to the problems facing our little baby. Tuesday morning rolled around. Hannah visited the specialist. The specialist viewed all the material available. She looked at the pictures taken in Bulgaria. She looked at the pictures sent from the ER. She decided she could do the procedure the others had failed at. She sent Hannah for an ultrasound. They studied the ultrasound, and studied, and studied, and couldn't find the problem. It wasn't there. It was gone. "You have a perfectly healthy baby, developing right on schedule," she told Hannah. "There is no problem." Bless the Lord! He alone "doeth great wonders." "For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:" 1 Samuel 1:27
I had intended to write this letter as a special "thank you" to all who helped towards our vehicle. I am extremely grateful for it, but more so, for you all. Y'all helped meet a need, for my family and the ministry. It was a great need, beyond our personal means. I thank God for everything that was given and for everyone who gave. The Lord bless each and every one of you. But then this "trial" arose, which eclipsed all other concerns, a trial that money couldn't solve, and again, you all helped. You prayed. You took what you knew to God above, and He intervened on our behalf. Thank you for giving toward the purchase of a vehicle. But thank you so much the more for praying for us in our time of need. The Lord God has been close these last few days, weeks, months even. More than ever before, I see His handiwork, His soon answering of prayers. Someone said, "Wow, as lucky as you are, you ought to buy a lottery ticket." But it's not luck. I won the lottery thirty-one years ago, the day I trusted Jesus Christ to save me from sin, death, and hell. And He's an ever present help in and out of trouble. He's been looking for a means, a way in, that He might illustrate His love, power, mercy, and faithfulness. And every now and again, I have sense enough to throw open the door and cry, "Come in and be all You want to be, and do all You want to do!"
Continue to pray for us. Hannah and Dixie Joy return the twenty-fifth of April. (Did I forget to mention Dixie Joy accompanied her Momma? She did. Did I forget to mention my in-laws, the Welches, how much of a blessing they are, and a help, every single one of them? They are. Did I forget to mention that just yesterday I received a text that said our plane tickets were paid off? They have been. Can I forget to mention that the Lord is behind every single one of these things, using people to say, "I love you"? I can't.) Pray for Hannah, for the trip, for the upcoming months. Pray for "Our Little Miracle," that everything would continue to go well. Pray for us boys, that we get everything in order before Momma shows back up. Pray for the work and its workmen. The Lord blesses and blesses, in spite of us. God bless each and every one of you, exceeding abundantly above all you may ask or think, out of His abundant riches in glory. We love y'all.
Because of a living Savior,
