Furlough Plans

Have you ever tried to hold down four full-time jobs at a time? Somehow, something has to give. Furlough plans are causing just such a log jam. On top of the pastorate, administration and teaching in the Christian school, being father and husband, I also have to carve out time to call pastors in the States (even at 5 cents per minute it gets expensive), write letters of introduction, mail the packets, and call to try to schedule meetings.
As a result, the pressure is mounting. Pray that the itinerary comes together quickly. We currently have 8 or 10 meetings scheduled and a lot more work to do.
We will be leaving PR on May 23. Between now and then, we have to prepare every aspect of the ministry for our absence. This coming Saturday the men of the church will meet with a man who may well fill in for many of Bill's preaching responsibilities. Following this, there will be a meeting for all church members on February 7 to discuss the details of our absence. Many questions will have to be answered by that date.
We certainly know our need for wisdom is great. The stress frays our nerves and makes us more forgetful. It's hard to concentrate at times, and extreme tiredness hounds our waking hours. Through all of this, we still expect to see the Lord's hand parting the waters and making a way in the desert. What a privilege to serve Him!

Medical Update

After two months of diet and exercise, the numbers are in. Sugar is down from 150 to 89, cholesterol down from 215 to 163, triglycerides from 193 to 59, blood pressure down to 110/70, and weight down more than 20 pounds. The Lord has been good in allowing me to get a handle on these issues in just two months. A bit more work is needed in the proportion of HDL to LDL cholesterol, but continued work should bring this in line as well. Maintaining these numbers will also be a challenge.
I began the new year with a nasty cold, and now Teresa has it as well. Hopefully, the rest of the year will be clear of such sickness. We'll be extremely busy preparing for furlough in the next few months and then the furlough begins. I have begun scheduling meetings, but the progress is slow. Pray with us. The folks at church are concerned and praying that the Lord will prosper our journey so we won't have to be gone the whole year. It's nice to know we will be missed.

Blessings of Christmas

Our most special blessing this Christmas was the presence of some special guests. Thanks to our special friends at Bethany Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC, Steven was able to return from BJU. We would have gone into debt to have him back, but we praise the Lord for these special folks meeting this need for us. His flight was delayed by mechanical issues and weather, but he arrived safe and sound.
Also Bill's parents, Elwood and Aletha, came on December 19 and stayed until the 27th. This was the first Christmas with them or any family member outside our immediate family since 1994! We had a wonderul time with them working, playing, carolling, etc. Their return home was a sadder event, but we cherish the memories of their visit.
Steven is still with us until January 10. He will then return to BJU for the second semester of his junior year.

Christmas Carolling

Perhaps you still participate in the time-worn tradition of carolling from house to house, but more likely you have not had the privilege for many years. Here in PR the tradition lives on. We begin in early December and continue on until about January 6 (Three Kings Day). The climate is more favorable here than it probably is where you live.
We try to arrive after everyone has gone to bed, but we do show mercy to some of our elderly members. Instead of hot chocolate, more usual refreshments are Doritos, crackers and cheese, and Coca Cola. The kids love to play some of our noise makers and to eat a bunch of junk food. I believe that the adults have somewhat higher motivations.
In addition to the songs which praise the Lord, we also take the time to have a devotional challenge related to the Christmas story and pray for the host family. Neighbors also get to hear the carolling and don't mind being awakened at all hours, at least no one has called the police or set their dogs on us.
Praise the Lord for our Savior's incarnation!

Nelson & Laura

Some time ago I informed you about Nelson who had a stroke in late October and his wife Laura who has a number of physical problems. The problems continue for both, though they are now at home and doing well, considering.
Nelson had been running from the Lord, but his name has now been written in the Lamb's Book of Life! He says he regrets not having listened when Bill and a man from our church visited with him in the months prior to his stroke. However, he is content that the Lord has given him this opportunity to know Him. His one request is that the Lord would give him sufficient health to allow him to attend church and serve the Lord in some way. Where before he was cold to the Word, he now delights to hear it read and discussed. Praise the Lord for the transforming power of regeneration.
Laura is still burdened with many health problems, but she is beaming with hope since Nelson has come to trust Christ. She needs knee surgery, but her diabetes and blood pressure are complicating the situation.
Thank you for praying and for continuing to pray for these fellow believers.