Catching up with Don and Ilene
Dear Friends and Loved Ones,
When we wrote you last the weather was warm and sunny. Autumn is here and we have seen rainy cool days and some snow flying in the rain. Nearly three months have passed. It has been a long journey and we are still on this trek together.
We had visions of Don healing quickly within a month and a half without complications. But as it happened he was hospitalized three times, was in two rehab centers, now has Home Health therapy and we are waiting for his right fractured arm to heal before he can continue with vigorus therapy. One fracture in the right arm turned to two. The other fractures have healed.
God has supplied in opening homes for us here in Bend. Don needs to be near the medical facilities. Thank God for Jan Landrus, Linda and Connor Donahue (our daughter and son-in-law), and to date we are at our son Josh and wife Becky's home.
Dr. Jeremiah had it right this morning in his sermon on t.v. We have learned not to say Why Lord? but What do you have for us to learn ? Well for sure it is perseverance, perseverance, perseverance and patiently waiting. We have learned to take one day at a time. We have experienced the Lord's compassion and mercy.
James 5:11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
Our plans? Should God in His compassion and mercy bring Don back to health... we will continue with the vision the Lord gave us to move to Mitla, Oaxaca and serve there in starting a Seminary. All in His timing. Right now the house we rented is being used as a hospitality house for teams going to Mitla to help with building the church sanctuary of the Koinenia Church.
Meanwhile the ministry thrives under the leadership of Pastor Ramon Ross; men and women of God in leadership in the Bajas; our fellow missionaries who are just now returning to Papalote after a break to continue serving; and the stalwart and spirit-filled ministers and families of Oaxaca.
To God be the glory great things He has done So loved He the world that He gave us His son Who yielded His life an atonement for sin And opened the life gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! let the earth hear His voice. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! let the people rejoice. Oh Come to the Father through Jesus the Son And give Him the glory great things He has done.
Welcome To Our Team: Mike and Cecelia Palm
Mike and Cecelia have served on the NLM Board for many years. They have been called by the Lord to make Papalote their home to serve as Missionary Assistants. Mike is a retired Welding Engineer from Kennewick with a great talent of woodworking. He has served in Mexico creating kitchens in homes and churches for some time. He plans to use his skills of welding and woodworking to give students life skills to assist in their ability to support a family as they work in ministry. Cecelia is a retired secretary and a lady of service and hospitality and works faithfully with Mike. They anticipate moving to Papalote in January. They are very loved and they love deeply. Please pray for them as they learn the ropes of mission work in Mexico. We are so thrilled to have them with us.
God has guided the NLM Board and missionary staff to RESET with INTEGRITY. We are going through some exciting changes in how we do business, and have a learning curve ahead for the next couple of months. But we are all pleased to be taking this step.
Welcome to Robert (Bob Croff)
Bob Croff (Scio, OR) has been elected to serve as the Chairman of the Board of NLM. He is a real answer to prayer. He has more energy than 2 men and organized so amazingly. Thank you, Bob.
Your prayers are critical to us. Thank you to those who have been so faithful in bringing us before the Lord. Continue to bring our board, new accountant, new members of our team and new board chairman before Him. We all need strength, patience, endurance and love.
En Su Servicio para siempre (In His service forever)...
