April 7, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

By the time that you read this, we will have returned to the land and people that we love in Kenya, Lord willing. We are so excited about getting back to the ministries in western Kenya. Our son-in-law, Graig Austin, is bringing a team from the University of Michigan to work with us for a short time. This will be his fourth time to bring a team to see us. Unfortunately, our daughter, Sara, and their two daughters, will not be coming this year. Kaily, our granddaughter who was born prematurely, is not allowed to travel that far yet. She is seven months old now, and weighs 11 pounds and 2 ounces, and is doing so well. For those of you who prayed for her and for Graig and Sara, God has answered, and Kaily is doing very well. Her big sister, Melia, will be five years old tomorrow.

Pam has just had surgery this past week, and is going to the doctor today for her first post-operative visit. As most of you all know, Pam has a problem in her eyes called blephrospasm. This is a neurological condition that she has had for twelve years. She has had drooping of her eyelids, and spasms in both eyes that make it hard for her to function at times. She had gone to her regular ophthalmologist, but he recommended that she see a specialist at West Virginia University. When we went to Morgantown to see this doctor, she (the doctor) recommended surgery to be done on Pam’s eyes that we are hoping will help her situation. She had the surgery done on Tuesday to remove the excessive skin between her eyelids and eyebrows in order for her to be able to open her eyes wider. This will not cure the spasms, but may help the Botox that she gets to prevent the spasms, to work better. Also, the doctor tightened the muscles that cause the spasms, so Pam should be able to function better. We had hoped that the surgery could have been done sooner, so that we could return to Kenya sooner. The doctor wants Pam to stay for a month after the surgery to be checked at least twice before she will be released. So, now our plans are to return to Kenya the first week of May.

We are looking forward to the birth of our third granddaughter in a couple of weeks. Nathan and Carrie are excited to be parents for the first time, and we are thrilled about this new life that God will give them.

Roger and Julie Tate are in Tanzania now, and have been there for two months 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. They have really been tested with four of them having had malaria, and with getting used to a different culture. They have done so well, and we are really proud of them. We are really looking forward to beginning our time of working alongside them in the ministry, after they finish their language school in June.

We have finished visiting our supporting churches, and have been visiting individuals who support us. We have really enjoyed attending services at our home church, and being challenged by some great messages. Please pray for our safe return to Kenya, and that peace will prevail. May our Lord richly bless each of you, and your labors for Him. We deeply appreciate the cards and E-mails, and your love and prayers for us.

Your servants in Kenya,

Mike and Pam
I Cor. 15:13-14