Category: Prayer & Updates

This report on answered prayer is from Jason’s grandfather, GCI elder Martin Manuel. For an earlier prayer request for Jason, click here.

Jason walked out of Seattle Children’s Hospital this last week and returned home for the first time in 30 weeks—nearly seven months. Hallelujah!

His recovery was obviously miraculous. A little over a month ago, his cardiac and pulmonary doctors had concluded that because of lung failure and the stress that it put on his transplanted heart, the new heart was failing. They had no remedy or plan for him to leave the cardiac ICU, where he was on the highest level of oxygen support.

Then, suddenly, it all changed. His lungs cleared and Jason began to feel better and show improvement in both his breathing and heart rate. The medical team had no explanation for this sudden improvement but felt free to go ahead with a procedure to place a shunt in a narrow vein to help the blood flow in his lungs. This procedure worked and Jason quickly transitioned from high to low oxygen support.

Jason is a 12-year-old boy who understands that God is always with him. In a video chat with Jason a few days ago, we noticed our masculine grandson holding a white furry stuffed animal and asked him about it. He said, “It’s a lamb.” His mom, off camera added, “But it will be Jada’s” (Jason’s younger sister). Jason answered: “No, it’s mine. Like David, I am a lamb.” He was referring to the 23rd Psalm.

The photo above is of Jason a few days before his heart transplant a year ago. Thanks for your prayers!

Here from GCI pastor Luciano Cozzi is an update to the previous prayer request for his wife Suzanne.

Sue had her surgery last Thursday and is now recovering at home. Preliminary conversations with the surgeons (two worked on her) indicate that the cancer was well defined and isolated and had not penetrated deep yet. They removed more lymph nodes than initially planned—not sure why—and we are now waiting for the pathology. In the meantime, Sue is regaining strength and maintains her kind and positive heart. We are both deeply thankful for your prayers and words of support and encouragement.

Cards may be sent to:

Luciano and Suzanne Cozzi

4 Silo Lane

Coventry, RI 02816-8252

This update is a follow-up to an earlier prayer request for Arnold Clauson from his wife Trish.

Arnold returned home from the hospital on November 8 with plans to receive dialysis three times a week at a clinic near home. But this is a challenge due to his lack of mobility. He is very weak and has lost muscle mass. He needs to eat to regain strength but his renal diet, which does not pair well with his cancer diet, makes eating difficult.

Through all the painful, convoluted circumstances and the roller-coaster of emotions and mental and physical fatigue, I have been learning that it is not this trial that defines for us who God is. Instead we understand that life happens and sometimes can be really hard.

God’s constant love, mercy and compassion is getting us through each day. Knowing that he is in control gives us freedom to step back and allow him to complete his will. Knowing that his only concern is our best interest tells us that no matter how things turn out, we will be blessed. Whenever fear grips me, I repeat over and over, “Be still and know that I am God.”

We thrive on everyone’s love and support. Thanks for the cards, prayers and other expressions of love. Every time someone tells us that we are loved, we go to tears. We need to hear that so much right now.

Our prayers and love to all of you.

-Trish

Cards may be sent to:

Arnold and Trish Clauson

109 Melrose Circle

Denison, Texas 75020

This prayer request is from GCI pastor Luciano Cozzi.

My wife Suzanne and I have been greatly blessed, especially in the last few months. However, sometimes with blessings also come challenges, and we are now facing such a period. Suzanne needed some tests done, and a routine biopsy. Unfortunately, the biopsy revealed that she has cancer. Surgery is scheduled.

The cancer does not seem to be aggressive and from every indication is at an early stage. It is likely that after the surgery she will be fine. We will not know if it has started spreading, however, until after the surgery.

Sue is doing relatively well. She tends to be strong, but as you can imagine this news is challenging to deal with. Her faith has kept her positive and strong and she has found great comfort in knowing that “all is well with her soul,” as the song goes. It has become her favorite phrase in the last few days.

Your prayers are deeply appreciated.

Cards may be sent to:

Luciano and Suzanne Cozzi

4 Silo Lane

Coventry, RI 02816-8252

This update is a follow-up to an earlier prayer request for Arnold Clauson from his wife Trish.

Arnold was re-admitted to the hospital early last week for his weekly back-to-back dialysis. Since his blood toxins were higher than anticipated, it was decided that coming in once a week is not sufficient.

As of now he is still in the hospital waiting for a dialysis “chair” to become available. Since he is still immobile, transportation to and from will be necessary, yet another hurdle to overcome. In the meantime, he is receiving physical therapy so that he can sit in a chair for the four hours required for dialysis.

Arnold’s kidneys are still barely functioning, but we have been told that they can “turn on” at any time, even after months of dialysis. Of course the greatest challenge ahead is working on the cancer.

Arnold and I are humbled by the prayers and cards of encouragement we are receiving and we are continually comforted by the knowledge that the Creator of the universe is fully in control. Please know that we are also aware that so many others have burdens to bear. . . .we join in prayers for them.

Cards may be sent to:

Arnold and Trish Clauson

109 Melrose Circle

Denison, Texas 75020

This update is a follow-up to last week’s prayer request from Trish Clauson concerning her husband, GCI district and church pastor Arnold Clauson.

Arnold returned home briefly last week, then had to return to the hospital. He continues to need dialysis due to kidney failure. Because he has a poor appetite, he is losing weight and muscle mass. He is unable to move much—even sitting up is difficult. He is anxious to get out of bed so that his cancer treatments can proceed.

We know many are praying for him during this trial and we can’t thank you enough. Those of us caring for him are becoming completely exhausted—we are praying for God’s continued strength and courage, knowing that he is aware of everything that is going on. Our love to all of you.

Cards may be sent to:

Arnold and Trish Clauson

109 Melrose Circle

Denison, Texas 75020

We are saddened to learn of the recent death of John David (Tony) Hammer. He was 83 years old and had celebrated 56 years of marriage to Natalie (Pyle) Hammer. He is survived by his wife; his children Vickie, Jan and David; and his granddaughter Catherine.

Tony entered Ambassador College in 1956 after serving four years in the U.S. Air Force. During his college years he married Natalie, who became his life-long, trusted mate. Following graduation in 1960, the Hammers were sent to work in WCG’s new Australian office and to plant a church in Melbourne. Upon returning to the U.S., they served congregations in South Texas, then in the San Francisco Bay area. Following that, they served as a church pastor and Area Coordinator in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1980 they moved to Dallas where they entered business ventures where they worked until retiring in Frisco, Texas.

Cards may be sent to:

Natalie Hammer
915 Nicklaus Ct.
Frisco, Texas 75034

GCI members living in the areas affected by the earthquake in Bohol report that despite many deaths and terrible damage to roads and infrastructure, they are rejoicing that God has spared our members from loss of life and major property damage. However, the homes of the parents and brother of one of our pastors in the area were destroyed.

Our Filipino churches have begun an outreach to provide food and water for those in the impacted areas. At right is a picture GCI member Margarita Bahinting delivering supplies. Below she is standing with other GCI members in front of one of the buildings destroyed in the earthquake.

Funds have been wired to the Philippines from the GCI Disaster Relief Fund to help the members there recover from the quake. The GCI Disaster Relief Fund is funded by GCI congregations in the US and stands ready to assist when members suffer from disaster. Thank you for your previous donations to this fund, which allowed us to respond so quickly!

If your congregation would like to help replenish the GCI Disaster Relief Fund so that collectively we can respond quickly when future disaster needs arise, please send a check to Grace Communion International, indicating on the memo line that the donation is for the GCI Disaster Relief Fund. Send the check to:

GCI Disaster Relief Fund
Grace Communion International
P.O Box 5005
Glendora, California 91740

Thank you for your prayers and financial contributions to help members of the GCI family who are suffering.

Please pray for retired GCI pastor Jim Friddle. He remains weak as he recovers from a drug reaction that occurred while having skin cancer removed from his arm. He will be having cancer removed from the other arm soon. Jim spent time in the South Pacific during World War II and was severely sunburned, hence his current battle with skin cancer.

Cards may be sent to:

James Friddle
Park Marino Terraces
2587 E Washington Blvd. Room 235
Pasadena, CA 91107-6208

Glen and Connie Weber request prayer for their daughter-in-law, Carolyn, who is due to give birth to their grandson in mid-November. Recently they discovered that she is prematurely dilated and the doctor has placed her on bed rest.