We are saddened to learn of the death of GCI elder Miles Johnson who served at New Covenant Fellowship, GCI’s Glendora, California congregation.
According to Miles’ pastor, Neil Earle, Miles died of a heart attack one month short of his 82nd birthday. Miles is survived by his wife Marcia, one daughter, two sons, two grandsons and one great-granddaughter.
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Mrs. Marcia Johnson 1338 N. Bender Ave. Covina, CA 91724-1007Here is an update on the health situation of GCI district and church pastor Arnold Clauson. This information is from his daughter Rachelle who is helping with Arnold’s care.
Though Arnold’s energy level is quite low by our standards, he recently experienced some improvement. He is receiving frequent dialysis, treatment for his cancer and supplementation to deal with his anemia. Thanks for your continued prayer for his healing and for strength and comfort for his wife Trish and their daughters. Cards may be sent to:
Arnold and Trish ClausonGCI Philippines national director Eugene Guzon recently visited the areas of the Philippines devastated by super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). Here is his update.
Estimated casualties are now about 6000, although the relief agencies believe that there are more. In Tacloban City and other coastal towns in Leyte and Samar, I have seen that the damage is indescribably terrible—massive and long-term reparation work is needed, including rebuilding of businesses and homes for the residents. A significant amount of the relief work by international agencies has concluded. Much now remains for the Filipino government workers.
Tacloban, the center of the disaster area, is serving as an “exodus city” from which many people are still evacuating the area. Power lines are still down, although the government is trying to speed up restoration of power. There remains a tremendous amount of debris, crumpled structures, long lines for fuel and small makeshift homes and stores. As we personally hear survival stories directly from people and see their scars, we see the tenacious and hopeful spirit in their hearts. One sign I saw says it well: “Roofless, helpless, but not hopeless!”
We thank God that our members survived the devastation. Some remain in their home communities and others have relocated. During the worship service held last weekend in Cebu City, our pastors who have been directly affected by the typhoon shared stories of God’s deliverance.
We praise God for our GCI family worldwide, who in the aftermath of the storm rallied to let our affected members and their families know that they are loved and cared for. Financial assistance from GCI members has been a huge blessing. Aid came from our members in the Philippines, the US (via the GCI Disaster Relief Fund), the UK, Europe, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand. The outpouring of compassion and financial support has given our affected members the means to begin the long road to recovery.
This note from Pastor Bob Miller updates an earlier prayer request for his wife Ruth.
Ruth thanks everyone for the prayers, cards, love and concern. Her recent doctor appointment showed that her arm is healing well. She will be having therapy and if all continues to go well, she hopes to return to work the first week of January.
This note from pastor Bob Miller updates an earlier prayer request for his wife Ruth.
Ruth thanks everyone for their prayers, cards, love and concern. After a time with a lot of pain, her pain and muscle spasms have improved greatly!
Following recent x-rays the doctors gave Ruth an immobilizer in place of the heavy cast that she had been wearing. She would appreciate your continued prayers for her complete recovery.
GCI Birmingham, Alabama pastor Bob Miller requests prayer for his wife Ruth who broke her arm in a fall while on vacation in the Smoky Mountains over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Bob reports that it was a “freak accident.” He went on to say that, “Our daughter and family drove down from Maryland and we were so looking forward to spending the week with the grands. We left on Tuesday and saw a sports doctor here on Wednesday and they put her in a partial cast—the break is in her upper right arm; the humerus bone. It is a difficult break to immobilize and treat. She is feeling pretty miserable—can’t get comfortable. I am helpless to do anything. Ruth’s cast is heavy and I think it’s putting a lot of stress on her back and ribs. She couldn’t sleep at all last night. Thanks for your prayers.”
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Ruth Miller 538 River Crest Way Helena, AL 35080-8300We have requested prayer and donations to assist the people suffering the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. Here is an update from GCI’s Manila office.
GCI Philippines pastoral leaders met recently in Cebu to coordinate relief efforts in Tacloban and other affected areas. Please pray for these efforts, which will involve several GCI congregations in the Visayas and Southern Luzon. The need for relief from the devastation caused by the typhoon as well as an earlier earthquake in the same area is still great.
There is a possibility that GCI will host a medical team from the US early next year to assist in relief efforts. The US military has decreased the number of ships and personnel it is providing, and thus the need for other sources of help is growing. A psychologist has been training GCI pastoral leaders in ways to assist affected residents through trauma counseling.
GCI Philippines wishes to thank all those who have helped out. Your love and generosity is much appreciated and is making a difference in the lives of our affected members and their families. Bags and boxes of relief goods—groceries, used clothing and cooking utensils have been sent to them in the past few weeks and more is on the way. GCI Philippines director Eugene Guzon and a team of architects and contractors are in Tacloban to look at the extent of the damage to properties and to see how the church can help in rebuilding our members’ damaged homes.
Please pray for Bob Druien and his wife Betty. Bob is retiring from serving as the bi-vocational pastor of GCI’s Bowling Green, Kentucky congregation in order to take care of Betty, who has Alzheimer’s. Her health has deteriorated to the point that Bob is no longer able to pastor the church as well provide the care Betty needs. They are moving to the Louisville, Kentucky area to be near their daughter.
We thank Bob for his many years of service as a pastor and our prayers are with both Bob and Betty in this difficult time in their lives. If you’d like to leave them a message of encouragement, you may use the comment feature below (sign-in required).
This update is a follow-up to an earlier prayer request for Arnold Clauson from his wife Trish.
Arnold is at home, continuing the arduous process of outpatient dialysis. Though he was making good progress toward greater mobility, on November 18 the pain in his leg returned, causing him to become immobile again. He also lost all strength in his right shoulder. Although the dialysis is keeping Arnold alive, it interferes with treatment of his cancer.
We know that God holds Arnold’s future entirely in his hands. James says that it is the “trying of our faith” that produces perseverance. By remembering who God is, we continue to persevere. Our prayers are filled with requests that God will grant us the wisdom we need to know how to navigate each day. At times like this, Scripture becomes our anchor and not just mere words.
Thank you again for your prayers and cards. There is much power in the love they convey. And please know that our prayers are with others who are in need.
-Trish
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Arnold and Trish Clauson 109 Melrose Circle Denison, Texas 75020GCI pastor Luciano Cozzi provided this update to the previous prayer request for his wife Suzanne Cozzi.
We just got back from the oncologist where we received the results of the pathology after Suzanne’s surgery. Thanks be to God, all is clear! She will not need any chemotherapy. They will keep an eye on Suzanne for any recurrence of cancer, but for now that is the extent of it. Thank you all so much for your prayers, encouragement and support.
