Some time ago we requested prayer for Deben Sam, our ministry partner in Kathmandu (capital city of Nepal). Deben had been hospitalized due to various symptoms that could not be positively diagnosed.
We thank God that Deben is now at home recovering, though he still suffers from occasional dizzy spells and ringing in his head. His doctors have advised him to minimize his time on the computer and phones so that he gets complete rest.
Please continue to pray for Deben’s complete healing.
Thanks for your prayers for Joanna D’Costa, wife of GCI-India Pastor Joseph D’Costa.
We thank God that Joanna has recovered fully from the stroke she suffered in early September. She was able to attend the church’s recent family festival in South India near Mysore, and is now back at work, doing, as Joseph put it, “What she does best – teaching French!” Joseph said that she is also focusing on improving her general condition and health; and that “Our God is truly a great healer who brought her from near death to life.”
Jim Kissee, Pastor of GCI congregations in Springfield and Joplin, MO, and former Ambassador University professor, has been diagnosed with abdominal cancer and asks for prayer. Here are excerpts of an update from Jim’s daughter Janna (Kissee) Jones, a registered nurse (for more details, see Jim’s Facebook at www.facebook.com/james.kissee.58.
Left to right: Kaye and Jim Kissee, Janna Jones
Dad has been diagnosed as having a liposarcoma (cancer) in his abdomen. The surgeon thinks his right kidney and part of his colon will need to be removed. Dad will have a chest scan on November 9 to see if there is cancer in his lungs. He will also see the urologist that day to assess his kidney function. Surgery is scheduled for November 18.
As you can imagine, all this is a bit shocking to us. Dad was a hugely good sport and immediately started talking about needing to walk more so his legs don’t get weak prior to surgery. He has done that my whole life—looking to exercise and activity to cope and make things better. The upside is that his surgeon feels surgery will be all that is needed to treat the cancer (no radiation or chemotherapy).
As he heads toward surgery, please pray for Dad’s physical strength, for our family’s ability to support him, for the guidance of the surgeons brains and hands, and for protection and blessing on Dad.
Cards may be sent to:
Jim and Kaye Kissee 601 N. 36th St Nixa, MO 65714-7558
We were saddened to learn that GCI elder Wilmer Lopus died on July 24. Born in 1927, in Erie, PA, Wilmer lived in Eastern Ohio since 1967. He served GCI’s Wheeling, WV congregation as a deacon, then an elder. Wilmer’s contributions to the community, including the church, were lauded recently by the Ohio State Senate. Here is the official proclamation (picture added):
OHIO SENATE IN MEMORY OF WILMER CALVIN LOPUS
Wilmer Lopus
On behalf of the members of the Senate of the 131st General Assembly of Ohio, we extend our sincere condolences to the farmily and friends of Wilmer Calvin Lopus on the sorrowful occasion of his death.
Wilmer Lopus left an indelible impression on the people whose lives he touched, and he will be remembered as a spirited man who contributed immeasurably to the world around him. Among his endeavors, he was a veteran of the U.S. Army, a federal and special needs coordinator with the Edison Local School District, and a deacon and elder in the Church of God [referring to GCI], and his concern for improving the quality of life in our society was clearly evident in his personal sacrifices of time and energy to his family, friends, and community. His absence will be keenly felt.
A loving husband to his wife, Martha, a devoted father to his three daughters, Sharon, Sandra, and the late Cynthia, and the proud grandfather of two grandchildren, Jaries and Lucca, Wilmer Lopus always used his talents to the benefit of those around him, and the laurels of his life stand as a tribute not only to him but also to those he left behind. Although the void his death has created can never be filled, the legacy of care and commitment he established will surely live on. It is certain that the world is a richer place for his having been in it, and he will be sorely missed.
Thus, with deepest sympathy, we mourn the loss and salute the memory of a truly unique individual, Wilmer Calvin Lopus.
As noted last week, Ingrid Mandel (wife of retired GCI Pastor Willi Mandel), recently had hip surgery and was at home recovering. But an infection developed, and she had to return to the hospital for two more surgeries. Unfortunately, the infection has not cleared up, and her legs are badly swollen. She is very frustrated by all this, and asks for prayer that her infections clear up quickly so she can be moved to another hospital for therapy.
Cards may be sent to:
Ingrid Mandel 747 Tanner Drive Kingston, ON K7M 9G7 CANADA
Last week we requested prayer for GCI Pastor Leonard Banks. We’re thankful to God to report that his surgery, which lasted about three hours, went well and he was released from the hospital after only two days!
Leonard commented:
I probably would have stayed two more days, but my doctor told me the longer you stay the more likely you are to contract an infection. The procedure went great, with only one minor set-back—I had a blockage in my urethra and will have a catheter and urine bag for five days (please keep that in prayer), otherwise things are OK.
Cards may be sent to:
Leonard and Patama Banks 40 Fountain Street Rochester, NY 14620-1902
We had previously requested prayer for GCI-Liberia National Director Robert Browne II, who was hospitalized with acute anemia. He received blood transfusions to treat the anemia, and feeling better was released to return home. But his condition soon worsened, and he was rushed back to the hospital, where he died.
Please pray for Deddeh Browne, who is distraught about the death of her husband, for their children, relatives, and the members in Liberia.
Kalengule Kaoma, Robert’s ministry supervisor, wrote this: “We will miss Robert’s enthusiasm, friendly service and commitment to God’s work. We are grateful to God for the work done through Pastor Browne.”
We were saddened to learn of the recent death of retired GCI pastor James (“Jim”) Stokes. He served in the Pasadena, CA, area for many years and more recently lived in Florida. His friends and congregants remember him as a dear, faithful man of God, comedian, friend and pastor (see the tribute below).
Jim’s daughter recently posted this information on Facebook:
Dad had been losing weight and had no appetite for months. He finally found out his gall bladder was bad and needed to come out. There were complications, internal bleeding. They operated again the next day to stop the bleeding. That helped, but things went downhill. Blood pressure kept going down, heart had episodes of A fib. Systems shut down. The last time he spoke to his nurse he said that he had no pain. He went into a deep sleep and passed quietly with his pastor at his side. He missed his wife Grace (my mother), immensely. We will miss him.
Jim and Grace together again
Here is a tribute to Jim Stokes from GCI Pastor Jeffrey Broadnax and his wife Karen:
Mr. Jim Stokes was a “servant leader” before servant leadership was cool! For my first seven years in the crucible of leadership training, he taught me the most about what it means to be a humble, dedicated, cheerful and Spirit-led servant of God.
My class at Ambassador College in Pasadena was blessed to have “Pops and Granny” (as they were affectionately known) as our surrogate grandparents, though they weren’t just sitting around in rocking chairs—they were out on the Rose Parade lines, helping with class projects and teaching us the power of submitting your desires for the benefit of others.
After graduation, I had the pleasure of working every day for three years with him in the Pasadena congregation. My internship, ordination and development was shaped in late-night visits, long days in organization, and hours of gaining the wisdom from a “hoary head” during a very difficult training period.
Mr. Stokes had been an elder in my wife, Karen’s, congregation before she came to college, so we were already family. I cherish every memory of “smiling Jim” and Granny. To this day, I serve some of the widows he introduced me to in Pasadena 30 years ago, despite being hundreds of miles away. Just this morning I received an email from one of them.
Mr. Stokes was a devoted servant of Jesus Christ and his light lives on in thousands of other lives. I praise God for you, Jim Stokes. I also praise God for Granny and look forward to our reunion. Until then, we’ll all “keep smiling,” serving our Lord like you showed us.
Thanks for praying for Ingrid Mandel, wife of retired GCI pastor Willi Mandel (click here for the prayer request). Ingrid had been scheduled for a second hip surgery a day following her first one, but it was decided to let the first hip heal first. Ingrid is now at home resting and receiving therapy. The next surgery will likely occur in 2 or 3 months.
Cards may be sent to:
Ingrid Mandel 747 Tanner Drive Kingston, ON K7M 9G7 CANADA
Last week we requested prayer for GCI Pastor Leonard Banks. We’re thankful to God to report that his surgery, which lasted about three hours, went well and he was released from the hospital after only two days!
Prayer is requested for GCI pastor Earl Jones (Fayetteville, North Carolina) and his wife Betty.
