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September 2, 2004
Dear Friends,
Praise items
- Praise for successful cataract surgeries for both Fred and
Margie. We still wear glasses but colors are more vivid, sight
has greater clarity, and Margie’s glaucoma pressure is
reduced. We are thankful for skilled medical help from a doctor
and various nurses who are committed Christians and blessed
us in the process.
- We felt greatly honored by the Presbyterians for Renewal who
during General Assembly in Richmond, Virginia, granted us the
Bell-McKay award of $5000 toward the Meghwal ministry. Sara,
David, and Joshua Treece were there along with Margie’s
sisters Pat Vandermark and her son Jack, and Ruth Iskander with
husband Habib. Former colleagues in Pakistan, Mike and Debbie
Medley and Ed Carlson, were also present. Our family enjoyed
the warm hospitality of Pakistan “mission-kid” Robert
Lotze and family. It was a great time!
- Praise for an almost complete reunion of the Anderson siblings
July 5-7 in Clinton, South Carolina, at the home of Bill and
Lois Anderson. John and Joy flew in from Uganda just in time
to join the rest of us.
- Praise that Bill Anderson has made a remarkable recovery from
his serious accident last spring. He now walks without a cane,
and they were able to attend the New Wilmington Missionary Conference
the end of July. Thanks for your prayers.
- Praise for other precious reunions with cousins Janet Davis,
Bill and Sally-Lyn Duff, and Jim Anderson. We also had good
visits with missionary friends Wilma and Otis Rowe and Dorothy
Wilder to bring our two-month visit to the United States to
a delightful close. The Lord refreshed and encouraged us!
- Praise for five weeks in Albania with the families of our
two daughters, Ruth and Mark Stoscher with their four children,
and Lois and Kyle Scott with three. Grandchildren are such a
joy! It was also a thrill to see growth in their enthusiastic
church, made up largely of young people. Throughout July, Campus
Crusade for Christ used their youth camp facilities as a base
to bring the Jesus film to all the villages in Erseke district.
Visiting teams from the United States worked with local high
schoolers to follow up contacts in those villages that showed
the greatest response.
- Praise for an excellent women’s conference attended
by 100 women from all over Albania. Bible studies were led by
an Albanian pastor’s wife—the first time an Albanian
took this responsibility. She was a real blessing to the women.
Each church group prepared a banner on the fruit of the Spirit
for their church. The women’s conference was followed
by a successful DVBS attended each day for a week by 60 to 75
children.
- Praise for our safe return to Pakistan on August 22. We joined
Paul, Pat, and Nicky Stock in Murree to enjoy six more grandchildren.
Nicky, Esther (16) and Luke (13) plus Nicky’s brother,
Symen, were visiting Pakistan for two weeks to seek the Lord’s
guidance for their future. It became very clear to them all
that the Lord is calling them to return to Pakistan in January
2005 to help with Murree Christian School, which just reopened
in Murree after two years of relocation in Thailand. Nicky is
greatly needed as school nurse and Symen as housefather for
the junior high and high school boys. Esther announced, “I’m
staying here. You can send my things to me from the United States.”
Luke too is happy to come back. All three have now gone to Erie,
Pennsylvania, to prepare to return to Pakistan in early January.
Pray for them as they raise support and apply for new visas.
- Praise for a service of thanksgiving for Dale’s life
and ministry, held August 12 at the plot in TMK where Dale and
Nicky worked his last six years. Dale’s attractive and
appropriate gravestone was dedicated at that time. The service
was attended by Bishop Rafiq, about 10 pastors and 200 friends
and villagers who came to show their love. This was a good time
of closure for Nicky and the children.
- Praise for three nights we spent this week with Symen Van
Leeuwen at the TMK plot and visiting villages.
- Praise for evidence of faithful teaching done by evangelists
Karam and Dharmo during the two years since Dale’s death.
- Praise for a good visit with McBanes before they left for
the United States for a month. In August they held a new leadership
training retreat attended by 20 village laymen. Only one brought
his wife. Their eagerness to learn was encouraging. The second
half of this seminar will be held October 11-14. They were urged
to bring their wives for this second training period. Pray they
will truly take spiritual leadership in their villages.
Prayer items
- Pray for the McBanes as they arrange care for his mother,
Lucile, who has developed Alzheimer’s. They will return
to Pakistan on September 24. Praise that they have finally been
able to move into their house.
- Pray for these programs planned for the month of September:
- September 13-16—Boys’ literacy rally for students
who can read their Bibles. Pray for Haima who will be leading
this rally. Pray this will be a time of decision for these
teen-aged boys.
- September 27-30—Workers’ meeting for fellowship
and planning for October programs.
- Pray for us as we make village visits to encourage the evangelists
and literacy teachers to be faithful in their ministries. September
is an important month for teaching before cotton harvest demands
their attention.
Many thanks for your faithful prayers and encouraging notes.
You have no idea how much the Lord is able to do through your
prayers.
In Him,
Fred and Margie Stock
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
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