Zoe/November
Dear
friends and family,
But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let
the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Luke 18:16
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Once
again, I must start off by thanking you all so much for the prayers and support
during Zoe’s hospital visit. Chello and I felt an unexplainable peace that could
only come from our Heavenly Father during this whole experience. I know that people all over the world and in
all walks of life were lifting our little family up in prayer, and we are more
appreciative than words can say!
Praise
God we are home from the hospital and enjoying every precious moment with our
little Zoe.
After
Zoe’s surgery, Chello and I had many opportunities to talk to doctors and
nurses about why I am in Slovakia
and what God is doing in VK. One of the most precious moments was when the
doctor in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit said, “She is doing suspiciously
well after her surgery.” Chello and I informed him that there was nothing
suspicious about it, but that this baby girl had hundreds of people praying all
over the world for her and why. Every chance we got we pointed all the glory to
God for this miraculous recovery.
We will
have many more opportunities to share what God has done for Zoe because, for
the next few months and on a weekly basis, she will visit a doctor in either Bratislava, Banska
Bystrica, or here in Velky Krtis to monitor her recovery. We will be traveling quite a bit over the
next few months, but we don’t care, if it means that our baby girl is healthy.
I also
had an amazing opportunity to befriend a young lady, Norika (who I mentioned
before), and we are still sending messages back and forth. I invited her to
come to winter camp where I hope she will understand the gospel. After she was discharged from the hospital
and driving home with her mom, she told me that she started to cry. When her mom asked why, she said “Because I
met a wonderful family, and I am going to miss them.”
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Coming
home has been a rough transition. When we left for Bratislava, my mother Peggy was staying with
us, and she had been here since before Zoe was born. We are definitely feeling
the void she has left. Though Zoe’s heart is healing beautifully, she still
suffers from colic. It is heart breaking because she is such a happy baby by
nature, but the pain in her belly takes a toll on her and our rest.
Chello
has been busy playing catch up with ministry, but God is overtly blessing his
efforts. Two of the young men who became believers earlier in the year were
baptized last Sunday. When they were taking the classes and meeting with the
elders for prep, they would call Chello and tell him how much they missed him
and wished he was with them. Chello was
very grateful that we were released from the hospital in time for him to be at
the baptism. We are so grateful to be
seeing fruit in VK after so much prayer.
Prayer
Requests
The Lord
will lead our steps and we will let Him.
For
Zoe’s continued healing from her surgery and that she would be healed from the
colic that is bothering her so much.
That
Norika will be able to come to camp and hear the gospel.
Praise
for all the new believers in our little church and for the growth and fruit we
see in them!
Praise
God for all the financial blessings that people have given us during this
particularly expensive season. Our funds have gotten low at points, but we were
never unable to take care of ourselves or Zoe. I really don’t know how we would
have done it if it weren’t for the selfless giving of so many. Please continue to pray that God will meet
our needs as we continue to travel and deal with all the other expenses that
come with having a special baby.
I will
praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Thank
you all again and again for all that you have done for us during this season! I
can’t wait to tell Zoe stories about how God used her to unite so many in
prayer, to tell people about His mercy and provisions, and met all her needs
abundantly. We are truly blessed by all of you!
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