Current Prayer Letter – July 3, 2010

Dear praying partners,

We are constantly encouraged by the reminders of your prayers for us. Thank you so much. Recently, Davidʼs health has turned towards the worse. He can no longer drive and he has been having spells of extreme chest pain with a struggle to breathe. His muscle tremors also continue daily. Praise the Lord that it is not his heart as far as doctors can tell. They are also confident that it is not a normal chronic disease such as Parkinsons or MS which were originally suspected. We are confident that God has an answer and that He will show us in a time and place that will best glorify Himself. As you continue to pray for us, above all else, please pray that God would give us wisdom. We cannot wait to write the prayer letter someday that explains how God will have worked and the lessons that He taught us no matter the outcome.

Unfortunately, a couple of weeks ago on our way to a Dr.s appointment we were in a car accident which totaled our van. The other vehicle was totaled also, but we praise the Lord that no one was hurt. Praise God also that we have another vehicle to get us by around town. We are saving and praying for another road-worthy family vehicle for ministry.

Good news! A summer interim from FBBC is in the area and is able to help with a Lorain church plant. Just last night a few families got together for the first study. No unsaved from the community came; however, they enjoyed much time in prayer and are organizing themselves to make contacts. Pray for Ralph and Rita Palmer, some of our co-workers, as they head up this effort in Davidʼs absence.

Other encouraging news is that Melissaʼs parents were able to visit for a couple of weeks from Brazil. We enjoyed time with them and other family. Watching the Soccer World Cup was especially exciting with such avid Brasil fans. You have never seen so many Brasil flags and shirts in one place in the United States, as the little farm house where we vacationed with them in Illinois.

May God bless you,

David and Melissa Whitcher

Last Prayer Letter – June 5, 2010

Dear Praying Partners,

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” – I Peter 5:10

The God of ALL grace gives an incredible promise in this verse. Through suffering for a while comes God’s changing and perfecting us for His use. The problem is that the verse does not specify how long “a while” is. A couple more months have gone by, and while stomach ulcers are healed, David continues to be very sick and out of commission. We do rejoice in the Lord and look forward to God bringing glory to Himself as He leads us through this. Thank you for continuing to pray as we seek a diagnoses and treat Dave’s medical condition.

There have been other set-backs. You have been praying for Susanna, a Hispanic woman whom Melissa and our co-worker, Kelly, have been studying with. A couple of weeks ago we were informed that she was going to move out of town because of her husband’s job. We had our last Bible study and are still praying for her salvation. Also, pray for Kelly who suffered an accident at work severely breaking her ankle in several places and has put her out commission for several weeks.

Recently, a fellow BCP missionary shared the following:

STEP BY STEP (SELECTED)

He does not lead me year by year
But step by step my path unfolds
Nor even day by day;
My Lord directs my way.

Tomorrow’s plans I do not know,
I only know this minute;
But He will say, “This is the way
By Faith now walk ye in it.”

And I am glad that it is so;
Today’s enough to bear.
And when tomorrow comes, His Grace
Shall far exceed its care.

What need to worry then, or fret?
That God, Who gave His Son,
Holds all my moments in His hand,
And gives them one by one.

May God bless you and your partnership as we continue to expect great things from God.

Sincerely,

David and Melissa Whitcher