Thursday, November 12, 2015

You are welcome to read the next e-newsletter.   Grateful for all of you!
https://us5.admin.mailchimp.com/campaigns/show?id=1162825

Thursday, November 5, 2015

In an interesting turn of events,  I updated you about my surgery 2 months ago and had another one 3 days later.  For the past week I was having difficulty breathing again.  I went to my local ENT doctor at 8:30 Tuesday morning and he found a hematoma (bruise) on my vocal cords.  It was taking up all the space of the hole hence my breathing issue.  By 3pm I was in the operating room and it was lanced.  My voice is hoarse again but I can now walk up a flight of steps with minimal shortness of breath.  Grateful to the doctors here and to my friends who took me to surgery, stayed with me and let me crash at their house for the night.  I told the nurse I could just walk home after (can't drive after anesthesia) because I live only 1 mile from the hospital.  For some reason no one thought that was a good idea.  I am now back on the road to recovery of my voice yet again.

Here are a few pictures from the churches I've visited in the past two months.


Pastor Bob and Pam Fuller in Wayland, MI.  These are wonderful servants.  The Holy Spirit brought us together and directed the message for us that week.  I'm so grateful for their partnership.  

Wonderful time with Pastor Branham, his family and congregation. 

Pastor Bob Moody and his daughters put together a wonderful week in the northern section of Michigan.  A group of missionaries spent the week traveling to so many of the churches in the area.  
This year was particularly amazing b/c Pastor Moody is the organizer but was very sick in the hospital the past several months and on hospice literally a week or so before this took place. God miraculously raised him up. He still has healing to go, but I can tell you from a doctor's perspective it is truly a miracle he is still on this earth. God has more things for him to do! Please pray for his continued healing. Thank you to the Moody family and all the families and churches. We were truly blessed by you all and I am glad for all the new friendships formed.

My time in Standish with Pastor Colby and Jamie and their three girls was special.  I shared with both the adults and kids.  I loved how the kids filled up my hug tank.  

I spent the evening service one week with the lovely people at Allegan Assembly of God church with Pastor Paul Hays. I love meeting people connected around the world and with eyes for their neighbors near and far.

I spent a lovely Wednesday evening with the people at First Assembly of God of Greater Lansing. I was so encouraged when Brother Leach was moved to take an offering for Moringa trees. We will be able to spread hundreds of trees around Zambia in our Community Health Evangelism groups when I return! Also talked with two young women in different stages of life looking to be a part of the "going" of missions.

One Monday night was an amazing time joining with the missions prayer night at Christian Celebration Center. They enter into heartfelt, purposeful prayer on behalf of missionaries, national churches, and unreached people around the world.

Enjoyed sharing my heart at Calvary Assembly of God Church August 30th. It was exciting to be a part of the historic day they moved into their new venue in a school library so they are closer to where people live. As I found out how much more they are connected to their community, I realized they are another Michigan church doing Community Health Evangelism concepts in the American context.  Thanks so much Pastor Craig T. Owens for letting me be a part.

So enjoyed my Sunday sharing at New Beginnings Church. Had a beautiful worship service with the adults and then taught the children. They did a great job of listening and asking questions. The most common were about the food and animals. It was BGMC week so shared how I helped give 500 Children's Bibles from BGMC to a children's home and church in Zambia. One sweet little boy asked if when we give the Bibles we tell them who gave them. Absolutely!
I forget to take pictures because I haven't mastered living in the moment and capturing the moment on film, but the teacher had the kids gather around me at the end and 3 children prayed for me. The anointing and sincerity in these young people's prayers ministered to my heart. Thank you church and parents for raising up young spiritual warriors!

So enjoyed my Wednesday night with Christian Assembly of God in Portage, MI. Thank you to Pastor Ted Mitchell and everyone for such a warm welcome. I truly feel a part of your church. My heart was touched having someone who is 101 1/2 years old think missions is important enough to come out to listen and support on a Wed night. Many blessings!

Spent a wonderful day at New Life Assembly of God with Pastor Lori O'Dea et al. Got to meet the parents of some Evangel University (Official Page) alums I knew from the Sci/Tech Department (shout out to Erica and Monica Schmidgall), be ushered into praise and worship with a wonderful African beat, and connect with many people. Thank you also for the travel goodie bag-so thoughtful!
I had a great weekend most recently.   I shared with Grandville Assembly of God this morning. Enjoyed meeting everyone and had wonderful conversations.
The rest of the time was filled with catching up with my college roomie, Faith, her husband and three great kids. Fun to be around all that energy-now if we could just bottle some up for later!
Just last week, I spent a wonderful evening sharing at Brightmoor Christian Church. Thank you to Pastor Kjos, Missions Pastor Liza, Missions prayer leader Susie and many others for making me feel welcome. I'm grateful for your generosity and willingness to partner with me in spreading the Gospel in Zambia.

Had a wonderful day this Sunday at Eau Claire Community Church. They always make feel so at home. It was lovely to meet their new pastor and his wife, Ben and Nancy. Thank you for letting me give an update about Zambia and play for you! They have been faithful partners with me from the beginning of my missionary associate year. So blessed my fellow pediatrician, Dick Hines, shares his church family with me.

Every meeting has it's special story and people.  I'm so grateful for every one!.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

The promised update about my surgery.  It's now been about 2 months since Dr. Bastian enlarged the hole in the back of my vocal cords with a laser so I have more room to breath air all the time.  The surgery and recovery has been good.  My voice came back to normal quickly and from everyone's report is that my voice is stronger than even before surgery.  This wasn't any part of point of the surgery.  In reality, it could only cause the voice quality more issues with a bigger hole.  I am thanking God for what has happened.  I recently have noticed I can talk in a crowded room without having my voice worn out by the end of the day.  I'm still waiting for better breathing with exercise but the doctor says another 1-2 months may bring more improvement.  The best part was the at the scope at my one week follow up, Dr. Bastian says, "Hey, look, I made your vocal cords look like Africa.  See what you think.



I have criss-crossed Michigan in the past two months.  I placed pins on a map this week of all the churches I've been to, going to or are supporting me.  Turns out there are 50!  What makes me more grateful than the number is the depth of connections I am making with each pastor and congregation.  I know we will be partners for a long time.  Thank to all who are in that group!  I also have people from Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas, and Georgia supporting me.  
Each church and visit has it's own story.  I am grateful God allows us to walk together in this journey of life.  
I have ventured into a new form of technology and am using a texting program where you can give easily or get text updates from me periodically (promise they won't be overwhelming in number).  If you are interested 
Text "zambia" to 95577 to receive periodic text updates.
Text "heather" to 95577 to easily give.
Blessings!