This update is from Steve Elliott concerning his wife Elaine (click here for the earlier prayer request).
Elaine recently began a series of almost daily doses of radiation. This will be the last phase of her treatment for breast cancer. Here is a note from her:
Thank you for your prayers and kind words during the past several months. Please take time for a Jamba Juice or fruit smoothie to join us in marking the end to three months of chemo treatments and their after-effects. The prediction that the last treatment would “hit hardest” turned out to be true, but now I am thankful that is over and I am beginning to feel like myself again. On the 5th of July I will begin the radiation treatments, which will be 5 days a week for 7 weeks. I am not by nature a risk taker, but the many treatments for cancer do involve risk and I would appreciate your prayers that the Lord will minimize the side effects and that “the joy of the Lord would be my strength.”
Steve and Elaine Elliott PO Box 3426 Turlock, CA 95381
As I get older, I become more concerned about health issues. I am, thankfully, in good health, but I know that the years are starting to take their toll. So I am confused, and often amused, by the sometimes conflicting advice offered by the professionals. For example, they once warned us that coffee was bad for our health. However, further research showed that, if used in moderation, it actually aided our health in many ways, including preventing cancer. The same kind of conflicting advice has been offered concerning chocolate and alcohol.
It’s all rather frustrating isn’t it? While some dietitians point out that the Japanese eat small quantities of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans, others point out that the French eat large quantities but suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. While some dietitians point out that the Japanese drink small quantities of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans, others point out that the Italians drink large quantities of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. Though the Germans drink copious amounts of beer and eat large amounts of fat (including sausages), we are told that they experience fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
What then are we to believe? Presumably, that we can eat and drink whatever we like, and that it is speaking English that gives us heart attacks!
Of course, I am being facetious (although some of my friends who have tried to learn English might agree!). But seriously, I was surprised to read that every 68 seconds, another American citizen is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. And unless more effective treatment is found, in the next 35 years it will increase to a new case every 33 seconds as the percentage of older people in the population rises. In the U.S., Alzheimer’s disease already is the sixth leading cause of death. And it is a cruel disease. Not being able to recognize or interact with loved ones is not how we want to spend the last years of life.
Personally, I take comfort in knowing that there is more to a human creature than meets the eye, or enters the medical records. As Karl Barth once said, we are “an embodied soul and an en-souled body.” While we have physical limits in time and space, we also know that God has breathed something into humanity that transcends those physical limitations.
Old age may creep up on us, but it does not take God by surprise as we are reminded in Ecclesiastes 12:1-5 (The Message Bible):
In old age, your body no longer serves you so well. Muscles slacken, grip weakens, joints stiffen. The shades are pulled down on the world. You can’t come and go at will. Things grind to a halt. The hum of the household fades away. You are wakened now by bird-song. Hikes to the mountains are a thing of the past. Even a stroll down the road has its terrors. Your hair turns apple-blossom white, Adorning a fragile and impotent matchstick body. Yes, you’re well on your way to eternal rest, While your friends make plans for your funeral.
I don’t want to be morbid, but it is important to face our mortality. Death is a transition, in which there is continuity and discontinuity. Death begins the transition from mortal to immortal, in which we become new creatures through a regeneration and re-arrangement of body and soul. This is the destiny of all humans, even though we can’t grasp it fully now. The apostle Paul speaks of our being given “spirit bodies” (1 Corinthians 15:42-45). We see something of this in Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances and at his ascension. But the time is coming when we will see and experience it firsthand.
As we age, or see a loved one fade away, it is easy to become preoccupied with the challenges of physical existence. Our body’s mortal mechanism may not work right, or even break down completely, as with Alzheimer’s. We may come to the point where we forget who we are. But we must not confuse who we are with how we appear in our mortal bodies and what we can or cannot communicate through them. God never forgets who we are! In his ascension, Jesus has glorified and taken up our humanity with him. And by the Holy Spirit, we will one day fully receive from him our glorified humanity. And then it will be seen who we really are – God’s own children sharing in his own Son’s glorious sonship (Romans 8:14-17; 1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2).
Many of us face the challenges of growing older. As we do, let’s be reminded of the encouraging words of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (The Message Bible):
Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.
With love, in Christ’s service,
Joseph Tkach
Dr. Gary Deddo
P.S. Please help me welcome Gary Deddo to full-time GCI employment as Special Assistant to the President. Gary has been working part-time for us over the last several months. You can read about Gary and his wife Cathy in the GCI Weekly Update post at https://update.gci.org/2012/01/gary-and-cathy-deddo/.
Also, I’m pleased to note that our online videos (including several with Gary) often receive positive feedback. For example, note the Kerry’s Loft post at http://kerrysloft.com/trinitarian-theology/. This blog is written by Kerry Magruder, a curator in the Oklahoma University library system.
Michael Wyatt-Paige, GCI’s pastor in Phoenix, Arizona sent in this prayer request for his wife LaVerne.
My wife LaVerne and I are going through a difficult trial at this time, but God does bless. LaVerne recently had surgery to remove a tumor from her brain. The tumor extends from her breast cancer. Thankfully, the surgery went well and now she is going to have to deal with the breast cancer.
The doctors plan to keep LaVerne in the hospital for several days to several weeks to gain strength and then do a double mastectomy followed by in-hospital chemotherapy. I am thankful that she has already been moved out of ICU, and is eating regular food.
Thank you for your prayers. These expressions of kindness make this trial more bearable.
Cards may be sent to:
Mrs. LaVerne Wyatt-Paige 1928 E Highland Ave #104 PMB 200 Phoenix, AZ 85016-4626
Pedro Rufian, our pastor in Spain, sent in this prayer request for his wife Brigida.
I ask that in your intercessory prayers to our loving Father you would pray for my wife Brigida. During a recent visit to her gynecologist, a uterine myoma was found. Thankfully, most such tumors are benign, and after menopause stop giving problems. Later this month, her doctor will perform a biospsy. As always, we trust in our loving Father and in his care, knowing that our future is secure in Jesus Christ, no matter what circumstances we face in this life.
Cards may be sent to:
Mrs Brigida Rufian Real 26 E-28610 VILLAMANTA SPAIN
Grace of God Fellowship, GCI’s church in Tucson, Arizona, recently held a special church service for the blessing of children. Pastors Tom Landess and Ted Millhuff blessed five children ages 2 weeks to 3 1/2. Six happy parents, four grandparents and several nieces and nephews were in attendance.
After the ceremony, Pastor Ted gave a sermon titled Look to the Children from Mark 10:13-16. After services there was a special potluck with plenty of fellowship, food and fun.
This report is from Crossing Borders director Lee Berger.
This summer was Crossing Borders’ 13th mission trip into Mexico. Each trip is unique, but this one was a new experience. Because 11 of the 13 participants were Crossing Borders alumni, I (mission director Lee Berger) encouraged the attendees (pictured at right) to be open to new insights as to their role in mission. I asked them to see the people we would serve as God sees them—his beloved children.
Much about the trip this trip was new for us. We stayed in a different facility, began a relationship with a children’s home new to us, and spent more time ministering to the homeless. We also began a partnership with Faith Missions Ministries – a group that has been working in Mexico for 25 years. On this trip, we constructed our first house – a small one for a needy family (see pictures below – old home on the left; new home on the right). We worked on the house for two days and built bonds with the family.
In our work with the homeless, we found ourselves one-on-one with desperate people. Our goal was to spend time listening to their stories, showing a caring heart and telling them about the love and grace of God, no matter what their present circumstances.
I spent time listening to a lady tell of being drugged by some men and having her body sold for sex to others by her handlers. She was trying to get back home to interior Mexico, hoping to escape from those who had abused her. Other people spoke openly of their addictions. In all this work, we partner with Mexican pastors so that we connect those needing help with local ministers who provide follow up.
As missionaries, we cannot solve the national, community, family or personal problems of people in Mexico. However, by our presence, actions and words, we can point them to the One who can open the eyes of their heart to the hope he freely offers to all.
This update is from Lorenzo Arroyo, mission developer for Spanish-speaking GCI churches in the U.S. and all GCI churches in Mexico.
Hawthorne, California
On June 16, we held a leadership development intensive in Hawthorne, California. About 30 emerging leaders attended from six GCI Spanish-speaking churches in the Los Angeles area (participants pictured below).
Our guest instructor at this intensive was Dr. Michael Morrison, pictured at right with Heber Ticas interpreting. Michael addressed the topic of Biblical Interpretation.
This intensive was the fourth in a series of ten in GCI’s CEM (Centro de Entrenamiento Ministerial) program which began in 2011 and will conclude in late 2013. The program’s intensives cover biblical studies, theological studies and pastoral ministry. Besides attending the day-long intensives, CEM participants do several book reports and participate in practicums that involve them in serving their local churches. The next two intensives will be conducted by Dr. Dan Rogers, addressing church history on September 22 and multiplication in healthy churches on December 8.
Howell, New Jersey
On June 23-24, district pastor Heber Ticas and I (Lorenzo Arroyo) visited the GCI Spanish-speaking congregation in Howell, New Jersey. We conducted four workshops and gave two sermons with the goal of encouraging this small congregation with 30 members (including children). Heber held a leadership meeting with pastors Bernabe Roman and Alejandro Alcantara, and six ministry leaders. Heber will return in September to assist the congregation in developing an overall ministry plan including detailed descriptions of key ministry leadership assignments. The congregation is turning a corner and eager to move forward.
Mexico
In early June, GCI pastor Manuel Ochoa and I (Lorenzo Arroyo) traveled to Mexico City for five days. We were delighted to see the fruit being borne by our congregations there. I recently received a report from Alfredo Mercado, the GCI national leader in Mexico and pastor of our church in Guadalajara – he shared that they recently performed four baptisms!
This update is from pastor Ben Babol, the pastoral team chairman of the GCI Philippines congregation in Santa Rosa.
The Santa Rosa and Manila South congregations recently hosted a Youth Leadership Training Program at the Royale Tagaytay Country Club in Tagaytay City, Cavite. 70 young men and women attended from the Laguna, Mindoro and Pampanga areas.
The 3-day event was headed by camp youth director Brian Everett Raduban, a pastoral team member in the Santa Rosa church, assisted by Don Santillan. Eugene Guzon, who is national director in the Philippines, welcomed participants on the first night and conducted a lecture on “how to organize events” the following day so that attendees could take new skills home. Pastors Ezra Raduban, Nomer Venus and Rex dela Pena took turns discussing various subjects on servant-leadership. Other activities included amazing race, basketball, movie and swimming. Royale Tagaytay management allowed the free use of its beautiful covered sports facilities. The youths enjoyed the comfort of hotel-like accommodations and meals.
Feedback from participants mentioned God’s goodness and love. The youth appreciated the lectures and activities and wished the event could have lasted longer.
This summer, several GCI congregations are conducting a Vacation Bible School (VBS). They have discovered that a VBS is a powerful way to reach out to the surrounding community – connecting with children and their families.
For a helpful example, see the pictures and videos posted on Facebook of the recent VBS conducted by CrossRoads Christian Fellowship, the GCI congregation in Tipp City, Ohio:
GCI’s Jacksonville, Florida congregation recently hosted A Deeper Walk – a seminar presented by GCI ministers Dr. Larry Hinkle, Dr. Charles Fleming and Ms. Carmen Fleming through their ministry, Odyssey in Christ. The seminar focuses on spiritual formation and deepening one’s awareness of the Triune God.
The 56 seminar participants attended several sessions on Saturday, including methods of enriching one’s prayer life, Bible reading, getting in touch with one’s consciousness of God, preparing one’s heart and mind for Holy Communion, and using prayers of healing and encouragement to minister to others.
On Sunday, seminar participants joined with the Jacksonville congregation for their worship service. Seminar presenters were impressed by the congregation’s hunger to know God better, their spirit of service and family love; and the way they are embedded in the surrounding community (12 people from the community have recently begun to attend).
A Deeper Walk is one of several seminars offered by GCI Church Administration and Development – click here for a list of available seminars.
