Greetings dear friend in Jesus. It is a gorgeous day today, at least this morning. Storms rolled through last night, wreaking havoc in several places with more coming in soon. But for now, it is bright and beautiful. I hope and pray that our FGNM mothers will have a blessed Mother’s Day.

     My mother, Eleanor Buchanan, passed 14 years ago and I still miss her so much. I find myself often thinking in certain circumstances, what would mom do in this situation? I believe that in heaven we will still have our way of thinking, only perfected. I believe God will use us in our personalities to fulfill His purpose and that makes me wonder, what is my mom doing?

     My mom had a good imagination; she could see things before they were made. She was quietly funny, so when her humor came out, we rolled in laughter. She was so kind and considerate and believed in us. If they have Mother’s Day in heaven, I believe my mom will be among some of the great ones, maybe standing next to yours.

     David had his hip surgery. Before any surgery we all get a little anxious around here. What a comfort to know we can cast our anxieties on the Lord.

     He is recovering home very well. He feels like a new man. He is walking like a new man already. I got onto him to use his walker, he is so rearing to go. He does and he knows to take care of himself. We are so very thankful for your prayers. We both felt the prayer covering.

     His surgery was complicated because he had a motorcycle accident in 1983 that broke his femur. He nearly lost his leg, but it healed. Only, it healed crooked, the bones were not exactly lined up and the doctor thought there might be a problem with the hip implant. But we felt prayers. The Holy Spirit told me that God heard those prayers and that everything was going to be alright and when the doctor called me after surgery, he said everything went better than expected.

     Because we know how important prayers are, we pray for you. I daily have my prayer time with the Lord; a valuable time that brings me into His presence and there is where I pray for you. I ask the Lord to hear your prayers, to meet your need, to bless you and help your family.

     David had his surgery on April 20th, a Monday. We spent one night in the hospital and came home the next day. That was so quick and I didn’t have to miss any church services. In fact, the services held that week had a powerful anointing.

     During one of the services, a local Chaplain came in. He pulled up a chair right up near the front. I gave him the opportunity to speak and he said, “No, I am here just to receive today.” After the service, he said, “thank you. I needed that. That really spoke to me and I needed that scripture.”

     He told me he was so grateful for my faithfulness to come hold church services every week. I told him, if I didn’t, I would not be in the will of God. There have been several people come to Jesus since I started holding church in nursing homes. I kept count the first year, but I lost track. I guess about 50 people have gotten saved in nursing homes and I see spiritual growth in many people.

     Sonya, my niece from Thailand has moved. She is still very dear and precious, but she could not make friends here. She is still learning English, so she felt very isolated not being able to fully communicate. She found a community of Thai people who were willing to take her in, give her a job at a restaurant while she learns better English. Even though we miss her, we sent her with our love and prayers. Anyway, she is less than 2 hours away so if anything comes up, I can run and grab her.

     Our Home for women is slowly advancing. It is ready for residents with a few wanting admission, but my sister came down with that nasty bug that is spreading around. The home and women are waiting, but more importantly, we always wait for God. His will and timing are always perfect. I appreciate your continued prayers over this women’s ministry. Thank you.

     The gospel isn’t slowly down, however. Blanca in Mexico is reaching people for Jesus with a great burden to win souls. Anyone within her vicinity including a man riding a motorcycle will be approached and hear that there is life and victory in the Lord, Jesus Christ.

     When David and I went to Mexico three years ago we set up a canopy, tables, served coffee, hot chocolate and burritos. It was on the sidewalk in front of the main grocery store. We ministered to tons of people. We had 50 bibles to give out for free and Blanca and I went during the day at the grocery store in the front and asked everyone passing through, “Would you like to have a free bible?” Within 45 minutes, all the bibles were distributed and several of those people wanted prayer with a few who accepted Salvation.

     This way of ministering was Blanca’s idea. That is how we met and she continues to do that. Along with walking door to door, knocking and asking people if she can tell them about Jesus.

     She is involved in her church, and she has helpers from church who go with her and they street witness two and three times a week.

     She continues with her two church services for children in two different villages. She cooks burritos and has snacks for the kids. So far, all the children have gotten saved and that has brought in a few parents who have then gotten saved.

     Joel in the Philippines says his people are so happy for church and bible study. He says they are taking caution because El Nino is upon the Philippines now with extreme heat warnings in place for the summer season.

     So, venturing out is done carefully. He said gas prices are limiting their travels, but the people are still coming to church, and those who have home church still want Joel to come for services.

     Joel said he and his church participated in a church coalition with other churches who met at the city center. Joel played the drums and one of his youth, Chris, was an usher. Chris also invited his friends who came to the outreach and church. Please keep Pastor Joel and his ministry in your prayers.

     God is using our ministry to help so many people in India. Our goal is to win souls for the Lord, to make sure they are not lost for eternity. What a blessing to know people are hearing and accepting Jesus.

     While we preach the gospel, we see the needs of those hurting, hungry and in need. Thank you for helping us to feed the hungry. We do this at our children’s food center, our pastor’s homes, at the Leper colony and through our churches. Masses of people are fed because you help.

     Our sewing clinic is a great source of home income to poor families. Many women are trained and use that training to sew to be able to stay home with her children while earning an income by taking in sewing in her village.

     When I was in India, my dress was torn. I asked Pastor Spurgeon if they had a needle and thread and they said no. They took my dress over to a small shop nearby where it was sewn and returned to me within a few minutes. This is very common in India. A good trade for women who come and hear the gospel, get saved and bring the gospel to their home.

     We have two bible schools training men and women to be effective ministers. A full bible school means people are receiving the gospel and getting saved and both our bible school are full.

      We have two orphanages. How wonderful it is to care for orphaned children. These children are precious. We love them so much. They are carefully and lovingly nurtured in food and in Jesus in our homes. Our homes are held to a very high standard. Quite truthfully, we need more support than what we receive. It has been by the grace of God we keep going and we know we will continue because God loves them so much.

     All our outreaches fall short in support, but somehow, through God’s provision, we keep going. Including building churches. India is restricting funds coming into their country for Christianity. So, we have had to send smaller amounts, taking a little longer for a church build.

     We thank you for everything you have done. You are so greatly appreciated. I love and pray for you and again, happy Mother’s Day to our mothers. God bless you.

                                                                                                                  With love in Jesus,      

                                                                                                                                                                                                

     

                                                                                                                  Sis. Heather Becker