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January 11, 2005
Dave's sister Gail phoned
Dave’s sister Gail phoned on Saturday evening, our time, with the news that their oldest sister Sandy had died. I think it was still Jan. 7th in California when she died. Sandy’s 60th birthday was in December, so again we have the feeling that God took her home early. She hadn’t been in good health in recent years, but there wasn’t the same sense of saying a final goodbye when we last saw her in May that I’d had in saying goodbye to Aunt Lillian. I wish Dave could be home with his brothers and sisters to process their grief together, but he doesn’t feel it’s right to go. Please pray for Sandy’s husband Ken, one of the most loving and devoted husbands I’ve ever met, and for Sandy’s son Erik who lives nearby. Both are going to need loving support at this time and we’re too far away to give it except in prayer. And pray for Dave who has many memories of growing up with Sandy even though they haven’t lived near each other as adults.
We hope we can make arrangements this week for a service for Ben at Faith Academy on Feb. 2nd. We showed the PowerPoint we had used at Ben’s memorial service during our OMF conference and were able to thank our fellow OMFers for their prayer support. Seeing the photos was a help to some who had never met Ben, and a reminder to others of how his life had touched theirs and vice versa. We’ve made more changes in the photos now including more of Ben with classmates at Faith to show on the 2nd. Pray that this will be a healing time for kids who have been missing him. We had a note from Nat, Ben’s best friend in Portland. It’s special to us to know that we aren’t alone in remembering him.
Wil started second semester today at Faith Academy. He will be in the Junior High Band this semester. Pray that he will enjoy playing his trumpet and will fit in with the others who have been in the band all of last semester while he was in Art class. He has kept up with trumpet practice but wasn’t over anxious to join the band mid-year.
Posted by David at 1:34 PM
January 4, 2005
We had a good time at the OMF Conference
We had a good time at the OMF Conference held at a beach resort on Samal Island near Davao City in Mindanao. We flew down on Tuesday, Dec. 28. The 1½ hour flight was smooth and vans were waiting to transport us to the boats that took us across to the island. The resort was quiet and relaxing and the fellowship and teaching from the Gospel of John were great. The Lord arranged housing so that we were lodged next door to young OMF couple whose first child was stillborn. The shared loss of a child linked us as couples and led to many opportunities to talk together. We didn’t see much of Wil during the conference except at meal times and at night. There was a special program for all the MKs (Missionary Kids) including young teens and Wil enjoyed the beach and other recreational activities as well as just hanging out with other MKs his age.
We flew back to Manila early in the morning of New Year’s Day and then attended the wedding of the daughter of our OMF Philippines Field Director in the evening. It has taken two days to recover from short nights and the travel. Wil is on school holiday until Jan. 10. The ninth will be out 17th Wedding Anniversary. And the 14th is Karen’s birthday. We will be busy working on the PMA Newsletter, due out mid month. Karen’s teaching resumes too on Jan. 12th and she has Precepts training meetings the following week.
Posted by David at 8:18 AM