Have just received this prayer request from Aaron & Erica Kenny.  This is the young couple we will be working with while in Kenya.  

 

Their daughter Emma had a fall last week and hit her head.  That was followed by frequent falls and she also passed out in the tub.  They took her for xrays which did not indicate a skull fracture.  That was followed by a CT Scan and then a visit to a neurologist.   The news from the neurologist is that Emma is experiencing seizures.  The doctor wants to start her on a medication called Eplilin immediately.  This has obviously caused great concern for them and they have asked for prayers for them as they continue to meet with the doctors.   Emma appears to be about 5 or 6 years of age.

 

Thanks again for standing in the gap.

Prayer Requests:

It's only 35 days to take off and still have lots to do.  

Prayer for the team as they all continue with their shots, fundraising and final preparations.

Prayer for myself:
1)  Beginning October 2nd, Bob's family begin to arrive here in Vancouver for a family reunion.   There will be 38 of us for Thanksgiving dinner here in our clubhouse.  We'll have cots in our livingroom, kitchen, both suites booked and a house borrowed from friends to accomodate everyone.  Here's the prayer need.   Some of the family don't leave until noon on October 12 - yep!  That's the day I leave for Africa.   Pray that I will get my packing done, my shots completed, my trip financial things in order and amongst all that, that I will be a good host to the Thomson Clan.  Yes, I know it's a crazy time to have a family reunion but it had to be that week or not at all.   Thankfully they are the kind that all chip in with the meals etc., and I know we'll have a good time.
2)  The team beging arriving here on October 12th in the morning and we'll begin our trip with dinner together in beautiful Vancouver.   Pray for safe travel for the entire team as they come.
3)  Continue to pray for Donna (who lost her daughter in that horrible house fire).  We spent sometime together last week and I believe this trip will be a source of healing for her as she ministers to women in Africa who have lost their daughter to AIDS.

Thanks again for standing in the gap.

Blessings,

Heather   

Dear Prayer Partners:   I had a great meeting on the Island with some of our team mebers as well an opportunity to meet Liz & John deMoor who have just returned.   They were able to answer alot of our questions and give us more perspective on where we'll be staying and the people we'll be meeting.

Final payment is to be into Canadian Baptist Ministries this weekend.  There are some amazing stories of some of the fundraisers that have taken place for a number of the team members.  Good to see how God has been working in that area.

Continue to pray for our team as we are now less that 2 months to departure.   Pray for continued health and especially for Monica and Donna who are working thru some difficult situations.  Pray that through their struggle they will know that PEACE that passes all understanding.

Thanks for standing in the gap on my behalf.

Blessing,

Heather

To my Prayer Partners:   It's 57 days to departure and the time seems to be going so quickly.   Couple of prayer requests for the days ahead.

1)  I have been reading an article on "Learning to Delight in Differences".  Please pray for me as I enter into a very different culture than the one I'm use to, that I will be able to relate the love of God to those women and children in terms that make sense to them.  Pray that I will allow God to guide me (and our team) as we participate together to enter into their lives; not that we deman they enter into ours - but that God's love will be evident to them through us.

2)  Continue to pray for Donna Forster who lost her daughter in that tragic fire a few months ago.   She continues to struggle in her grief and had thought of dropping out of the team.   As team leader pray that I will have the wisdom, compassion and understanding to encourage her to allow us to walk with her in her journey.   I believe in my heart that it will be good for her to be with 10 other women who will cry with her, laugh with her and help her in the grieving process.   Pray for all of the team in this process.

Thanks for standing in the gap with me.

Thanks for your ongoing prayer regarding health issues.   After trying numerous meds, Dr. Purkis is now happy with the results.    His goal was to get my blood pressure to 130/80 and yesterday it was 129/79.  We're all happy with the results.

Would appreciate your continued prayer as I lead the team.   As some of you know this was an unexpected responsibility due to our team leader having to withdraw due to heart problems.   It's a wonderful group of women from across Western Canada. Everyone seems to be doing their part to make this trip a great one.

Continue to pray for Donna who lost her daughter in a tragic fire a few months ago.   Pray for peace as she continues the grieving process.

Seems there are other family health issues for the team and we all need to go knowing that He who has begun a good work in us will continue to guide and direct us.

I love the verse in Phillipians in the Mesage....."I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made.  But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ who has so wondrously reached out for me.   Friends, don't get me wrong; by no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus.  I'm off and running and I'm not turning back."

Keep praying for all of us - 75 days away.

Here we are at less than 3 months to take-off.   Everything is falling into place for my shots and all the other things I have to do before departure.

Had another follow up appointment with the doctor today which resulted in another change in prescription.   The last one caused severe leg cramps at night so hopefully this new prescription will be better.   Blood pressure is getting closer to where he wants it and my follow up blood tests showed great improvement.   Thankfully the three visits a week to Curves, plus swimming everyday and biking is beginning to make a difference. 

Thanks for your ongoing prayers.  Pray also for our team as some of the gals are going through some difficult times in their own personal lives and we pray that they will all know God's peace in their daily journey.

Blessings to each of you,

Love, Heather

Had my return visit to the doctor regarding health issues.   Having charted my blood pressure three times a day for a month it did indicate some concerns for my doctor.   Have some specific things to do during the next two weeks (no coffee, tea, sugar, salt - sure will change my visits to Tim's).   Further tests at that time and a follow up in three weeks.   He is confident we can get things in line with the above restrictions along with other dietary changes.  My prayer request is that I be disciplined and follow his instructions.   Thanks for your prayers as I continue my preparation for Kenya.   Heather

Continue to pray for Donna who grieves the loss of her daughter through a fire in her home in Victoria.   Pray for her son-in-law and grandson as they too grieve this tragic loss.   The memorial service was such an encouragement to Donna and her family and we know that God will carry her through those days when she feels she can't take another step.   We are so privileged to stand in the gap during this difficult time.