Thank you for your prayers. My husband's appointments went well and we returned home safe and sound. The good news is that the damage done to his heart before his third surgery has been completely healed, mostly because he runs 4-5 days a week. Praise the Lord!
The tumors have all remained the same--stable--except for the largest of the tumors. There are no new tumors. The largest of the tumors is in the lumbar spine and it has increased slightly (.3 of a cm). The endocrinologist recommended a therapy that will strengthen the bone so that it can handle the tumor a little better. He received the therapy before we left the clinic yesterday. The therapy has caused him to become very sick with flu-like symptoms so today he has felt miserable. It is possible he will feel this way up to two weeks. Please pray the symptoms will end right away. He has so much to work on and care for these days, it is frustrating to him to not feel well.
He will need to return to Mayo Clinic in June right before we leave for Peru. There is an oncologist at Mayo who is actively studying several endocrine cancers, including paraganglioma. He is experimenting with treatments that may be beneficial in future when Bro. Dan's cancer becomes more aggressive. His endocrinologist wants Bro. Dan to meet this oncologist to discuss options. She also wants him to see a radiologist to discuss radiating the spot in the spine. Neither of us wish for that since he had such a bad experience when they radiated his arm, which caused the need for the third surgery. Please pray for wisdom for these doctors as they look at Bro. Dan's case.
We sure appreciate your prayer. The Lord has His divine plan and that is what we desire more than anything. Thanks for your care! Love you!
~Christy Hubbard
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
What have we been up to?
THE SZABATINS: For the second straight weekend we have had a great time in Pennsylvania. Last weekend we were at heritage baptist Church in Jeannette, PA with Pastor Bob Ross. This is one of our supporting churches in that had us back to bring an update. I taught Sunday School and preached in the evening service. In the morning service I had the opportunity to lead a 14 year old boy by the name of Randy to the Lord.
This Sunday we were at Bible Baptist Church in Tyrone, PA with Pastor Ken Patterson. I taught Sunday School and preached in both services. A young man who had attended this church his whole life came forward in the morning service and got saved. Two years ago this church was down to 9 members and had been without a Pastor for three years. This Sunday while I was there they had 105 in the morning service and 58 in the evening service.
Both these churches we wonderful to us and made us feel at home and have become like family to us. The Patterson's daughter (Kimmy) is at Hyles Anderson College and is good friends with our daughter Danica-Lee. In fact Kimmy is going to be one of DL's brides maids.
THE MISKOVICS: We had a wonderful time at Amazing Grace Baptist Church this weekend! The Kokobuns, one of the families on our team was with us and we really enjoyed being with them too! Bro. Daniel made us proud as he got a chance to share his heart's passion for the young people Peru. Mark also did a great job telling the folks about our burden for the lost.
THE FOUSTS: Had a great week in the sunny south! Spent last Sunday with Brian and Melissa Odham in Hickory, NC after finishing a great conference with Bro. Hamilton in Cedar Grove,NC. The Odhams are doing a great job and we loved spending some time with them. Zach got to see a young man saved there while soulwinning. There were also two saved in the evening service. Zach preached Sunday morning and evening. On Monday we spent the day with the Odham family fishing, shopping and just catching up. They are such good friends!
Then it was a long drive to Florida where we were in a missions conference with Grace Baptist Temple in Brandon, FL. Bro. Tommy Thompson hosted a wonderful conference and we were privileged to hear Bro Scotty Drake preach each night and Sunday morning as well. Zach preached on Sunday evening. Had some great results in the conference, God is definitely working in this church. Today we applied for the boys' passports! Exciting days for us! Then yesterday we enjoyed a great service this evening at Providence Baptist Church in Bushnell, FL. Bro. Maddox preached a great sermon and we got to present the work in Peru.
THE MARTINS: We have enjoyed a wonderful time in the Detroit area. It has been a joy to be able to spend some time with many old friends and some of Jessica's family. Last week, we were able to be part of a 5 month old church! I love church plants! Our good friend Bob Morrissey started the Tri-County Baptist Church in Madison Heights, MI back in October. God is blessing there in a great way. It was great to share our burden for Peru and missions in general with so many new converts!
Yesterday, we started a missions conference at Antioch Baptist Church in Warren, MI. This is the church that Jessica grew up in. We had a wonderful Sunday preaching in Jr. Church, presenting Peru, and preaching in the evening service. There is such a wonderful spirit here! Pastor Doug Brandenburg just became pastor here about 1 year ago. It is so encouraging to see how God is using him here. It is going to be a great week!
This Sunday we were at Bible Baptist Church in Tyrone, PA with Pastor Ken Patterson. I taught Sunday School and preached in both services. A young man who had attended this church his whole life came forward in the morning service and got saved. Two years ago this church was down to 9 members and had been without a Pastor for three years. This Sunday while I was there they had 105 in the morning service and 58 in the evening service.
Both these churches we wonderful to us and made us feel at home and have become like family to us. The Patterson's daughter (Kimmy) is at Hyles Anderson College and is good friends with our daughter Danica-Lee. In fact Kimmy is going to be one of DL's brides maids.
THE MISKOVICS: We had a wonderful time at Amazing Grace Baptist Church this weekend! The Kokobuns, one of the families on our team was with us and we really enjoyed being with them too! Bro. Daniel made us proud as he got a chance to share his heart's passion for the young people Peru. Mark also did a great job telling the folks about our burden for the lost.
THE FOUSTS: Had a great week in the sunny south! Spent last Sunday with Brian and Melissa Odham in Hickory, NC after finishing a great conference with Bro. Hamilton in Cedar Grove,NC. The Odhams are doing a great job and we loved spending some time with them. Zach got to see a young man saved there while soulwinning. There were also two saved in the evening service. Zach preached Sunday morning and evening. On Monday we spent the day with the Odham family fishing, shopping and just catching up. They are such good friends!
Then it was a long drive to Florida where we were in a missions conference with Grace Baptist Temple in Brandon, FL. Bro. Tommy Thompson hosted a wonderful conference and we were privileged to hear Bro Scotty Drake preach each night and Sunday morning as well. Zach preached on Sunday evening. Had some great results in the conference, God is definitely working in this church. Today we applied for the boys' passports! Exciting days for us! Then yesterday we enjoyed a great service this evening at Providence Baptist Church in Bushnell, FL. Bro. Maddox preached a great sermon and we got to present the work in Peru.
THE MARTINS: We have enjoyed a wonderful time in the Detroit area. It has been a joy to be able to spend some time with many old friends and some of Jessica's family. Last week, we were able to be part of a 5 month old church! I love church plants! Our good friend Bob Morrissey started the Tri-County Baptist Church in Madison Heights, MI back in October. God is blessing there in a great way. It was great to share our burden for Peru and missions in general with so many new converts!
Yesterday, we started a missions conference at Antioch Baptist Church in Warren, MI. This is the church that Jessica grew up in. We had a wonderful Sunday preaching in Jr. Church, presenting Peru, and preaching in the evening service. There is such a wonderful spirit here! Pastor Doug Brandenburg just became pastor here about 1 year ago. It is so encouraging to see how God is using him here. It is going to be a great week!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Update from the Foust family
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Update from the Kokubun Family
Dear Friends,
God has been extremely gracious in our travels these past few weeks. The last week of February we drove from Georgia to New Mexico where we were blessed at Gospel Light Baptist Church's Missions Conference. It was really a complete conference where we saw souls saved, baptized, and a young man called to preach. It still amazes me the friends that we get to make as we travel. We had a great time meeting other missionaries and enjoyed learning about God working in their lives just as He has ours.
We found our selves heading back cross country on the next Monday to be in a Mission Conference in North Carolina by Wednesday. We are very grateful for God's protection as we traveled literally a couple thousand miles in the past two weeks.
Thank you for your prayers and support. We are praying for you.
Serving Him,
Daniel Kokubun
Team Peru
God has been extremely gracious in our travels these past few weeks. The last week of February we drove from Georgia to New Mexico where we were blessed at Gospel Light Baptist Church's Missions Conference. It was really a complete conference where we saw souls saved, baptized, and a young man called to preach. It still amazes me the friends that we get to make as we travel. We had a great time meeting other missionaries and enjoyed learning about God working in their lives just as He has ours.
We found our selves heading back cross country on the next Monday to be in a Mission Conference in North Carolina by Wednesday. We are very grateful for God's protection as we traveled literally a couple thousand miles in the past two weeks.
Thank you for your prayers and support. We are praying for you.
Serving Him,
Daniel Kokubun
Team Peru
Monday, March 12, 2012
February Prayer Letter for the Martin Family
March 1, 2012
Dear Praying Friends,
In Denver, Colorado, the snow is gently falling on the mountains as I sit in front of the fireplace in our cabin sipping coffee working on my laptop. The ministry sure is rough! God is so very gracious. We arrived here yesterday and are excited for this conference. March is very busy, and I am glad we get to start in beautiful Colorado.
February was quite productive for us. We didn’t do a lot of traveling, but were still able to be in three different churches in Kentucky and Georgia. One of our meetings was a conference in which we were with five of our fellow team families. It was a sweet reunion. I never tire of spending time with the people that are part of our team. It is a privilege to serve God with them. To make things even better, it was a Spanish missions conference. I am always encouraged to see growing Spanish works. Pastor Arjona is doing an incredible work, and I hope we were as much of a blessing to him as he was to us.
The best news came two days ago. After returning from this trip, I will be able to begin to wean myself off my crutches! Praise the Lord! As I sat in the doctor’s office, he said, “Prayer works! I know that my talents come from above and beyond that Someone else does all the healing.” To God be the glory! I can see a full recovery very soon.
In addition to our travels, we were also able to spend some time with many of our teenagers at home. The Teen Missionary Society is a group of our “bus teen girls” who have a burden for missions and correspond with our missionaries around the world. I am so proud of these young ladies! We enjoyed spending some time teaching and investing in these girls.
As I mentioned in our last letter, three men from our team spent two weeks in Lima the beginning of this month. It was a very productive trip. During this time, they were able to begin looking at housing as well as property in the district we will be working in. It is so exciting to see houses and apartments and think that soon it maybe our home. As far as the church, please pray that God will give us wisdom as the time quickly approaches. Also, we are now officially recognized by the Peruvian government. They are ready and waiting for us! The Iglesia Bautista Internacional has been registered and all the paperwork has been filed. Amen!
It thrills us to see all the pieces come together. I see the pictures of people walking down the street and know that they are the people God has called us to. I look at an apartment and see our belongings there, I view a store front or a plot of land and see a church building there. This past Sunday, we were waiting for church to start and Jessica said, “Just 15 more Sundays and we’ll be in Peru.” It is almost surreal to think about. Thank you to the many of you who have partnered with us and especially our newest supporters the Providence Baptist Church in Indiana and Twin City Baptist Church in Maine. This brings us to 86 % of our support. The end is in sight!
I am also thankful for the things that God brings into our path. Although my leg and the weather has not made soulwinning very easy, God has opened many doors. Going to therapy three times a week has given me many people to share both what God is doing through us and the Gospel. Just last week, I was able to lead Michelle, a 21 year old therapy student at DePaul University, to Christ! Please pray for several others to whom the seed has been sewn. I know God will give the increase. Besides Michelle, God allowed us to see five other people accept Christ this month.
Thank you for your continued prayers. God is prospering all along the way. God bless you!
Your ambassadors to Peru,
Junior and Jessica Martin
Romans 9:3
Thursday, March 8, 2012
February Prayer Letter from the Kokubuns
Dear Friends,
Another busy time is finished as we close the month of February. With three mission conferences, several services, and over 4,000 more miles on our car, God has been gracious in His blessings and safety.
On our first Sunday in Michigan, I received a text right after the morning service. It was from a member of Second Baptist Church in Ponca City, OK. It read like this, "Larry got baptized today!" Hallelujah! The young man who I had lead to the Lord the last week in January had been baptized and joined the church!
Several times this month my wife and I have had the opportunity to go soul winning with young people from Michigan to North Carolina seeing many people saved in our visiting.
We had the opportunity to participate at a spanish missions conference in Douglasville, GA. Several of the other team families were there along with many other missionaries. It was interesting to say the least with the language barrier. (I still have lots of Spanish to learn!) Nevertheless, we enjoyed our fellowship with the sweet Hispanic congregation. Our hearts were changed and challenged as we saw their hearts for the Lord and His work.
On Saturday of that week we went soul winning with their church people. My wife and I began knocking doors on our designated street. I heard a squealing of tires from the next block over. Making our way over to the sound, we saw a black Monte Carlo burning its tires. Apparently the young man in the car was showing off to his brother who was standing on the porch. As the car drove off, my wife and I approached the young man on the porch. There was a feeling of relief as Darius greeted us in English! Minutes later Darius bowed his head and accepted Jesus as his Saviour!
Our team leader, Bro. Dan Hubbard, along with several of the other men from our team made a trip earlier this month to Lima, Peru. They went with the intent of finding and possibly purchasing properties for the church. Legally they needed to get permission and file paper work to start our first church. He is now officially "president" of Iglesia Bautista Internacìonal. They did find several properties, but will not purchase them until we launch in June.
I would ask you to pray for travel safety as we still have many miles to go before the end of our deputation trail. Also
pray that God would give the team wisdom as we prepare to leave the country.
Again thank you for all your continued support. Words cannot describe the joy and encouragement you are to us. We pray for you and your church on a regular basis. Thanks for all you are doing for our Lord and Savior.
Serving Him,
Daniel and Heather Kokubun
Another busy time is finished as we close the month of February. With three mission conferences, several services, and over 4,000 more miles on our car, God has been gracious in His blessings and safety.
On our first Sunday in Michigan, I received a text right after the morning service. It was from a member of Second Baptist Church in Ponca City, OK. It read like this, "Larry got baptized today!" Hallelujah! The young man who I had lead to the Lord the last week in January had been baptized and joined the church!
Several times this month my wife and I have had the opportunity to go soul winning with young people from Michigan to North Carolina seeing many people saved in our visiting.
We had the opportunity to participate at a spanish missions conference in Douglasville, GA. Several of the other team families were there along with many other missionaries. It was interesting to say the least with the language barrier. (I still have lots of Spanish to learn!) Nevertheless, we enjoyed our fellowship with the sweet Hispanic congregation. Our hearts were changed and challenged as we saw their hearts for the Lord and His work.
On Saturday of that week we went soul winning with their church people. My wife and I began knocking doors on our designated street. I heard a squealing of tires from the next block over. Making our way over to the sound, we saw a black Monte Carlo burning its tires. Apparently the young man in the car was showing off to his brother who was standing on the porch. As the car drove off, my wife and I approached the young man on the porch. There was a feeling of relief as Darius greeted us in English! Minutes later Darius bowed his head and accepted Jesus as his Saviour!
Our team leader, Bro. Dan Hubbard, along with several of the other men from our team made a trip earlier this month to Lima, Peru. They went with the intent of finding and possibly purchasing properties for the church. Legally they needed to get permission and file paper work to start our first church. He is now officially "president" of Iglesia Bautista Internacìonal. They did find several properties, but will not purchase them until we launch in June.
I would ask you to pray for travel safety as we still have many miles to go before the end of our deputation trail. Also
pray that God would give the team wisdom as we prepare to leave the country.
Again thank you for all your continued support. Words cannot describe the joy and encouragement you are to us. We pray for you and your church on a regular basis. Thanks for all you are doing for our Lord and Savior.
Serving Him,
Daniel and Heather Kokubun
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