March 4, 2008

Dear Beloved Friends,

Greetings from W.Va! We are still here in the U.S. We had hoped to return to Kenya on February 21st, but the conflict was still going on. As of the end of February, there have been over 1,000 people killed, and 350,000 people have been forced from their homes in this horrible struggle that started in December after an unfair presidential election. We have explained the problem in previous letters, but the crisis had continued to escalate, and it appeared that the country was heading toward civil war, even though the U.S. has sent in mediators to help with the massive problem. However, God’s people prayed, and on February 28th, a peace accord was signed, and the two opposing parties agreed to share power, and the position of a prime minister was created for the opposition leader who supposedly lost in the presidential election. Pam and I are praying fervently that these two enemies can share power, and the country will again be at peace. We long to return to the country and people that we love to begin to minister among them again. We are getting E-mails occasionally from some of our leaders there, and it seems that Kitale where we live, is safe, and the ministries are continuing on. However, due to the unrest for such a long period of time, and the inability to get needed supplies, gasoline prices have doubled, as have food prices, and the dollar has really been devalued. So, we would appreciate your prayers for us as we seek to return, that the Lord will allow our money to stretch further, and that we can get needed food, gasoline, and supplies to continue to minister there.

Roger and Julie Tate are in Tanzania now, and have been there for five weeks now. They are adjusting to life in a different culture, and are doing very well in learning the language of Swahili, which is the language of Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. Julie had a bad case of malaria, but seems to be doing much better now. We are anxious to begin our time of working with them in ministry when they finish language school in June.

Pam’s eye condition has gotten worse, and her ophthalmologist that she had been seeing here in the U.S. told her that she and one other of his patients had the worse case of blephrospasm in his practice. The Botox injections that she was getting around her eyes to stop the constant spasms had not worked, so she was referred to a specialist in Morgantown, WV at WV University, who deals with these types of problems. This doctor gave Pam the Botox injections again, but in different areas than she had previously been injected. This has helped some, and her spasms are better. However, the effects of the Botox only last for three months, but we are thankful for this time that her spasms are less. The doctor wants to do surgery on her eyes to remove the excess skin between her eyelids and eyebrows, which will help her to open her eyes better. The doctor will also tighten the muscles around her eyes to prevent the excessive spasms from being so debilitating. She is scheduled to have the surgery on April 1st, but we have asked if it could be moved ahead, so that we can plan to return to Kenya. Pam has to be available to see the doctor for a month after the surgery before she is released to return to Kenya, so we would appreciate your prayers for her that she can get the surgery soon, and will do well, so that we can return as soon as possible.

We have finished visiting our supporting churches, and have begun to visit individuals who support us. It has been great to see so many of you again, and we thank you so much for your interest in the Lord’s work in Kenya, and your prayers on our behalf. We could not minister there without the support of God’s people here who “hold the ropes” for us. The ministry in Kenya is a team effort, so you are on our team, and we appreciate you. Please continue to pray for Pam’s surgery, and that peace will prevail in Kenya, so that we can return as soon as possible. We love each of you, and pray for God’s blessings on you, as we remember this month our Lord’s sacrifice on the cross for us, and His resurrection, so that we may have eternal life. God’s blessings until next month.

With much appreciation,

Mike and Pam
Psalms 29:11