Category: Prayer & Updates

This update on John Halford’s progress is from his daughter Becky (for the previous report, click here).

Dad is finally home after spending two weeks in the hospital recovering from surgery. Everything went well. He did have some issues with fluid around his lung so that kept him there a little longer than expected but overall he is doing great. He was happy when his doctor pulled out the last tube and said he could go home. Yesterday he was allowed to try to drink his first glass of water and he enjoyed it so much. Funny to think that a glass of water could be such a gift!

If this week he does well with liquids, next week he’ll start eating soft foods like apple sauce and pudding. Meanwhile he is hooked up to a feeding tube to ensure that he gets enough nutrition while he “learns” to eat again.

We were a little saddened to learn that the doctors want to give dad a couple more rounds of chemo in a few weeks, just to be sure that there are no cancer cells lingering anywhere. They are not taking any chances. We have learned to trust their judgment.

That’s it for now. Slowly, but surely, we are getting our dad back and it’s a wonderful feeling.

Mary Snyder, who with her husband Cliff (a retired GCI pastor) directs GenMin’s M25:40 Missions out of Colorado, has been battling severe health problems for over a year. Recently, severe pain kept her home-bound for six weeks straight.

Mary and Cliff have spent the past several years traveling to Ethiopia to volunteer their time and hearts to the many orphanages there. It’s been a special passion and burden of theirs. They still desire to travel, but it doesn’t look possible for the near future. As a result, M25:40 Missions will soon cease operations.

We thank Mary and Cliff for the love and compassion they have shown to young people who have been marginalized, kicked aside and have been largely unseen by society. Well done, faithful servants!

Mary requests our prayers. Due to her health, the couple has been unable to attend a GCI church services since November of last year. They miss our community and would love hearing from us. Mary’s email address is: Msnyder72003@yahoo.com. Cards may be sent to:

Mary and Cliff Snyder
5741 CR 68C
Red Feather Lakes, CO 80545

The following is a prayer request from Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). GCI is an NAE member.

Dear fellow Christian,

In the last few weeks, thousands of Christians have been forced by militant rule to flee their homes in northern Iraq. The United States has authorized air strikes and humanitarian aid airdrops in Iraq. The United Nations has condemned militant actions and is urging a coordinated response. Stories of the persecution of Christians and other minorities in Iraq, Egypt, Syria and other areas in the Middle East continue to fill the media. Please join me and other Christians around the world in praying for peaceful resolution and relief for those caught in the violence and persecution.

Prayer Events

• The World Evangelical Alliance is organizing a prayer gathering for the Middle East at the International Salvation Army Headquarters in New York City at 5:30 pm on August 14.
• Encourage your church to set aside time in this Sunday’s service to pray as a congregation for Iraq.

Prayer Points

• Pray for President Obama and his advisors as they consider where and how to provide humanitarian assistance and military intervention in Iraq.
• Pray for safety for Christians and other minorities in Iraq who are fleeing violence and persecution. Pray that they would find safe harbor.
• Pray for comfort for those across the Middle East who have lost loved ones and have suffered traumatic violence.
• Pray for missionaries and humanitarian aid workers who serve in difficult and violent corners of the world, that they will be kept safe, and that their efforts will contribute to a fuller realization of the peace and prosperity that God intends for all.

For a few more resources, visit http://www.nae.net/prayforiraq.

Here from Mike Rasmussen is a praise report, following up on his previous prayer request.

I recently had my first post-operation blood test. My PSA level was so low that the test couldn’t detect it. That means that, at this point, there is no indication of any prostate cancer! Also, I am feeling stronger and stronger each day. I still get tired easier than I used to, but I am seeing daily improvement.

Juli and I are humbled by the outpouring of love and support we have received from so many during this challenging season of our lives. We are deeply thankful for all of you, for God’s sovereignty and for his gift of peace.

Prayer is requested for Jodie Haist, wife of Brad Haist who pastors GCI churches in Saginaw and Flint, Michigan. Here is a note from Jodie:

I recently had two stress tests that came back bad. My cardiologist is convinced that with my family history of heart disease and my blood pressure and cholesterol issues, I need aggressive treatment.

One night recently I was in intense pain for about five hours before waking my husband to take me to the hospital. They found a large kidney stone. Once it has passed (or I have surgery to remove it), I will be having heart surgery.

In the blink of an eye my life has changed. My heart is broken, my body is in pain; but I have an amazing husband, a wonderful family and friends that are amazing. Please keep me in your prayers and keep those positive vibes coming my way. I’m confident that things will return to normal, but until then, it’s one day at a time!

Cards may be sent to:

Jodie Haist

618 9^th Street

Sebewaing, MI 48759-1211

Prayer is requested for Richard (Rick) Ridgell, pastor of GCI’s church in Front Royal, Virginia. Rick has stage 4 lung cancer that has spread to his bones. On the plus side is that this type of cancer responds well to treatment. The doctor encouraged Rick to continue working, but tiredness and weakness are a big challenge. Rick’s wife Pam commented:

It is heartwarming to know that many people are praying for us. Rick is on the prayer lists of many churches as word has spread. We know that God is in charge as we make plans for the worst and pray for the best. It is hard to see your soul-mate suffering, but we trust God for his will in our lives. Thank you for your prayers, we will keep you updated as we go along.

Cards may be sent to:

Rick and Pam Ridgell

640 Butler Ave.

Winchester, VA 22601

We were saddened to learn of Ginny Dietrich’s recent passing. Ginny was the wife of GCI elder Larry Dietrich who serves on the pastoral care team in the Long Beach, California congregation. Here is a note from Larry, following up on the previous prayer request.

Dear friends and family,

It is with the deepest sorrow that I must inform all of you that my dear Ginny passed on July 22. Just the evening before, I was with her, and she was alert, aware and responding, and her vital signs all seemed to be near normal. But the day of her death I received a call from the hospital that she was suddenly failing, and asked my permission to re-install the ventilator. I gave permission mainly so there would be some time for us to go there and say our goodbyes. So that is what they did and when I arrived, I was told that Ginny had already “died” and been resuscitated twice. The end was obviously near. They said she could hear us even though she couldn’t respond. So I told her it was OK to go to sleep—she would be in a much better place. With that, they turned off the IV that was stimulating her heart to beat, and very soon all indicators zeroed out.

Please know your heartfelt prayers on her behalf have meant the world to me. I firmly feel God heard and answered by showing us she had suffered enough, was facing an impossible battle with cancer ahead, and he spared her the agony and pain. I am grieving, of course, but also am at peace with his answer, because in my heart I know it’s best. Time will heal the hurt.

Cards may be sent to:

Larry Dietrich

11791 Onyx Street
Garden Grove, CA 92845-1213

Here from his daughter Becky (Halford) Brown, is a praise report concerning John Halford. John, a long-time GCI leader and editor, recently underwent surgery in his battle against esophageal cancer.

Dad’s doctor just came in smiling from ear to ear and pronounced my dad CANCER FREE!!! His pathology report indicated that no live cancer cells were found in his body following surgery. They got it all! No more radiation or chemo is needed.

We are so very thankful for each one of you. Your support and prayers got us through this difficult time. We have a whole new view of cancer and the “fight” required to get through it. Dad fought hard and we give every bit of the credit to God working through the amazing doctors to bring about this wonderful outcome.

Dad still has a long recovery ahead but somehow it just got a lot easier. We can’t wait for Thanksgiving this year. We have so much to be thankful for.

Cards may be sent to:

John & Pat Halford

5836 South State Road 129

Versailles, IN 47042

We are saddened to learn of the death of Greg Williams’ father, Dean Williams. Greg is the associate director of GCI Church Administration and Development, USA. Here is a note from Greg:

On July 16 I asked several of my GCI coworkers to pray for my dad, who was suffering from various physical ailments and seemed near death. The Lord answered those prayers by giving us two weeks for my family to say our final farewell. Dad breathed his last on July 29 with me, my two brothers and my son Glenn at his side.

My dad meant so much to us and his passing leaves a big void. But we praise God that his suffering is over and he is with the Lord forever! Please keep my mom lifted up in prayer as she grieves the loss of her husband.

Cards to Greg and his family may be sent to:

Grace Communion International

P.O. Box 5005

Glendora, CA 91740-0730

Attn: Greg Williams, CAD office

Rose Neumann requests prayers for her husband, Al, an elder in our Glendora, California church. Al underwent surgery on July 14 to amputate his right leg below the knee due to complications from type 1 diabetes, which he has had since age eight. Please pray for healing and relief from pain and also for help with the hard work of physical therapy to come.

Cards may be sent to:

Al and Rose Neumann

1205 W. Cypress Ave., Trlr 26
San Dimas, CA 91773-3514