Greetings Prayer Warriors Here and Around the World!!!!!
Update on Pastor Isaac: Tests are done (called investigations here), we should hear something in the morning, please continue to pray boldly for him and the family.
It was a great day here as the World Harvest Team again taught and I go to work with the kids.
At lunch time I sat with the team as we spoke about and shared stories of a mutual friend who used to be in Uganda and met his wife there. Seems some of them know a young lady named Elizabeth also.
I also asked if they had ever thought about doing a Sonship Program for children to run parallel with the Adult/teen one. Interesting you should ask that Jim, we are in the process of developing that right now. Thank you Jesus. Just love it that these organizations are realizing the need for deeper teachings for our children at an earlier age. Ray the lady in charge of that works at the Junior High level.
Also asked them of they had ever considered doing a Sonship program in Cuba. We'd be glad to schedule one, just have never been invited. They just haven't been invited. Told them we might just be able to help with that.
They also work in Africa and are fascinated with the play pump (well pump) we use in the village in Zambia
If able some of the team might be able to go with us to Faith Academy
WAP folks, did I mention Sonship is being translated into French?
Today as I taught the boys; just have two students but loving it. We meet for two session the the morning and one in the evening; 3.5 hours in the morning and 2 in the evening. Joshua and Adhit are great kids. In the morning we talked about Creation through the flood.
And then in the evening we discussed ways they could help and be active in sharing the love of Jesus. We ended with the guys going to Sarah Patty's blog site http://ps127.blogspot.com/2009/09/letters-from-children.html and writing notes to our kids in Zambia. They are planning on writing to them again tomorrow and are really excited about doing that.
They told our kids in Zambia to read their Bibles every day and pray, sharing also they were praying for them. Great kids. Young but with a real passion for Jesus.
Please continue to pray and really bathe our upcoming camps in prayer, the potential here is huge and we're all really excited.
Shine on for Jesus all. Shine on.
--
Until Every Child Knows,
Big Jim
Matt. 19:14
James 1:27
Monday, September 28, 2009
Watching God Work
We are here in Jaipur for the retreat. 40 members of the church and some big old gorilla.
As you read this we'd covet your prayers, Shaws are not with us. Issac needs to have the tests done in the morning (3AM here now) Since we are so far away here, the children stayed back, just in case there would be a need for surgery. Please join me in praying boldly for these very preciou8s Saints and that they would be able to join us here.
Now, Jen, it has been decided when we do a camp here, you will be in charge because Jaipur is your kind of place. Jaipur is also called the Pink City. All buildings and houses are Pink! Seems the soil here is pinkish in color also. The Pink Camp! Workers could all wear pink.
It's exciting being here and what a joy coming here in the bus with the church members, staff and some old gorilla from the States. Please note, using netbook and this little keyboard is a little challenging but prayerfully you'll be able to read this as I hit 2 and 3 keys at a time.
As I opened the door to my room here, our good Friend Bob Heppe walked out of the room next door. Rose Marie Miller is here, son, Phillip has a book out on prayer. If he's anything like Jack, no doubt it would be a must read. Met a few other members of the London team. What a joy and privilege to be here.
Want to share two tender stories here:
At church this morning, I assisted one of the teachers, who teaches the same age group I teach at home. Very talented teachers and tears of joy filled my eyes, as I watched Geesha share with joy and passion. Geesha is now in college and was one of our teens on the team last fall as we took the teens on their first ever trip. Taught with me in June and taught her own class the second week. Thank you Jesus.One prayer request for Geesha, she has started college and is looking for a job, please join me in praying for this special young lady of God.
On the bus ride here, a young man named David sat with me, 2007 team, he sends hos love. David did games that Camp. Team members Are You Ready? David recently came back from Singapore where he had been going to college. Some of you may remember, he was supposed to go during the 2007 camp but as you prayed, he had a delay getting his visa and was able to stay for the second week of camp where we had 500 plus children. Visa came in, day camp ended. David shared with me stories of his time in Singapore. How strong the youth in the church was and the mighty things God was doing there. David has a real burden for Chinese and shared how when he first went to school there, he'd go to church by himself in the morning. At the end of the semester, 19 of the students in his dorm were going to church with him,
David feels God's Hand on him and has a burden to work with children, full time. He has asked for prayer for the Lord's direction on this and prayer for the courage to follow that direction. Please join me in praying for David. Oh, on David, he wasn't going to be able to help with the Camp at Faith Academy but there was this coincidence (explained to him they are Godincidences) and he will be there with us leading games.
Meeting in a few hours. Time for nap, if jet lag will allow. Please continue to pray. God is really working in great and wonderways.
Please continue to pray and especially prayoing for the Shaws.
Until Every Child Knows,
Big Jim
Matt. 19:14
James 1:27
As you read this we'd covet your prayers, Shaws are not with us. Issac needs to have the tests done in the morning (3AM here now) Since we are so far away here, the children stayed back, just in case there would be a need for surgery. Please join me in praying boldly for these very preciou8s Saints and that they would be able to join us here.
Now, Jen, it has been decided when we do a camp here, you will be in charge because Jaipur is your kind of place. Jaipur is also called the Pink City. All buildings and houses are Pink! Seems the soil here is pinkish in color also. The Pink Camp! Workers could all wear pink.
It's exciting being here and what a joy coming here in the bus with the church members, staff and some old gorilla from the States. Please note, using netbook and this little keyboard is a little challenging but prayerfully you'll be able to read this as I hit 2 and 3 keys at a time.
As I opened the door to my room here, our good Friend Bob Heppe walked out of the room next door. Rose Marie Miller is here, son, Phillip has a book out on prayer. If he's anything like Jack, no doubt it would be a must read. Met a few other members of the London team. What a joy and privilege to be here.
Want to share two tender stories here:
At church this morning, I assisted one of the teachers, who teaches the same age group I teach at home. Very talented teachers and tears of joy filled my eyes, as I watched Geesha share with joy and passion. Geesha is now in college and was one of our teens on the team last fall as we took the teens on their first ever trip. Taught with me in June and taught her own class the second week. Thank you Jesus.One prayer request for Geesha, she has started college and is looking for a job, please join me in praying for this special young lady of God.
On the bus ride here, a young man named David sat with me, 2007 team, he sends hos love. David did games that Camp. Team members Are You Ready? David recently came back from Singapore where he had been going to college. Some of you may remember, he was supposed to go during the 2007 camp but as you prayed, he had a delay getting his visa and was able to stay for the second week of camp where we had 500 plus children. Visa came in, day camp ended. David shared with me stories of his time in Singapore. How strong the youth in the church was and the mighty things God was doing there. David has a real burden for Chinese and shared how when he first went to school there, he'd go to church by himself in the morning. At the end of the semester, 19 of the students in his dorm were going to church with him,
David feels God's Hand on him and has a burden to work with children, full time. He has asked for prayer for the Lord's direction on this and prayer for the courage to follow that direction. Please join me in praying for David. Oh, on David, he wasn't going to be able to help with the Camp at Faith Academy but there was this coincidence (explained to him they are Godincidences) and he will be there with us leading games.
Meeting in a few hours. Time for nap, if jet lag will allow. Please continue to pray. God is really working in great and wonderways.
Please continue to pray and especially prayoing for the Shaws.
Until Every Child Knows,
Big Jim
Matt. 19:14
James 1:27
Thursday, September 24, 2009
India Bound
Good Morning Prayer Warriors Around the World!
Quick FYI:
I'll be sending out an E-mail inviting anyone in this area to a meeting to share our goal of loading a cargo container for Zambia/Village of Hope
We are looking to have our first Zambia Orphan Care Trip Informational meeting for next August by the end of October/Beginning of Nov.
In a few short hours I'll be once again heading to the airport to return again to my beloved India!
Some huge praises here.
Some of the supplies ordered were late been shipped and the shipping arrival was either Friday or Monday. The one came Tuesday and the big load 1:35 PM yesterday, less than 24 hours before I'm due to leave for the airport. Only God.
We weren't able to verify my dates until less than 3 weeks out but those dates "Just happened" to be on sale and I got the cheapest price I've ever gotten for a ticket to India.
While closing one of my suitcases, the entire zipper ripped out. Thank you Lord for having that happen here and not at the airport or in flight. Had gotten a few bags on sale recently so repacked and put a strap on the new bag.
This always amazes me; shouldn't but does. Just ordered everything needed in faith, having no idea how or if it would fit; knowing it shouldn't but it did. I'm allowed two 50 pound suitcases, a carry on and a laptop bag. (Plus my cargo pants, of course!) Everything fit! Carrying in 160 pounds of supplies and around 10 pounds of personal things. Thought I might have to wear a coat for extra pockets but will only need the cargo pants and a shirt with pockets. Thank you Jesus!
A dear friend gave me a netbook for my trips, freely up enough space in my laptop bag to fit 50 New Testaments/Psalms/Proverbs (Delivered and given to me last night by another dear friend) and a few books and DVD's.
Crafts I wants were on clearance at Answers in Genesis and the videos also were on sale.
All books, videos and supplies were either donated or on sale for at least 25% off. God's economy.
Between what was given and personal funds; all expenses covered!
Is our God awesome or what!?!
This trip is looking to be an exciting I'll be a part of a Sonship retreat Monday through Thursday going with Bible Bhavan Church and the staff of DBI. This is being run by our good friends from World Harvest London (Bob Heppe and company) and I get to help with the children/teens. FYI, in 2002, I had the privilege of going to Wales to help with New Life Masih Ghar Churches first ever retreat run by the same folks running this one and that retreat is where the Shaws and I really connected.
Now 7 years later, on my 7th trip to Delhi working with DBI, I get to be with them again. This time in India! Thank you Jesus!
We did will be doing three 2 day camps in local schools; a long time dream and huge answer to prayer. The children will go to school and instead of going from class to class will be going to different stations of our camp. The student count for this is just over 500; less than 10% know Jesus, including teachers. Teaching on Creation and training children how to use the Wordless Book.
Also am looking to teach in Sunday School and a few other special events.
Some specific prayer requests:
Safe travel to Newark Airport and no problems or surprises with luggage (Weight exact weight allowed; at least by my scale.)
Friday morning between 11 AM and noon should hit customs. Please pray for no problems. Have never had problems but never what to take that for granted. Not "sneaking" anything in but no matter what country you enter, there can be hassles and fees.
Pray for leg to hold up. Long flights can be challenging for it and it tends to get angry when I try and do too much.
Team Unity and for the love of Jesus to shine for all of us.
Hearts to be opened as we share His love.
Encouragement for the staff and workers both Indian and London.
Our Indian teens as they work and minster with us.
For the Lord to keep my heart tender,
Suitcases to hold up.
At this point, I don't have a seat assigned for tonights flight. Praying for an aisle seat or even 1st class; never flown that. But mostly pray for opportunities to share his love at airport and on flight.
No problems with malaria mosquitoes.
On the humorous side; I was told the weather is pleasant there right now. By June standards yes but the 10 day forecast is for mid to high 90's. Not exactly my idea of pleasant but saying that, it truly is pleasant and beyond when I'm there ministering with my dear brothers and sisters.
Please really pray with Holy Boldness. Pray for God to work as never before opening even more doors to minister.
Keep shining brightly for Him.
Until Every Child Knows,
Big Jim
Matt. 19:14
James 1:27
Quick FYI:
I'll be sending out an E-mail inviting anyone in this area to a meeting to share our goal of loading a cargo container for Zambia/Village of Hope
We are looking to have our first Zambia Orphan Care Trip Informational meeting for next August by the end of October/Beginning of Nov.
In a few short hours I'll be once again heading to the airport to return again to my beloved India!
Some huge praises here.
Some of the supplies ordered were late been shipped and the shipping arrival was either Friday or Monday. The one came Tuesday and the big load 1:35 PM yesterday, less than 24 hours before I'm due to leave for the airport. Only God.
We weren't able to verify my dates until less than 3 weeks out but those dates "Just happened" to be on sale and I got the cheapest price I've ever gotten for a ticket to India.
While closing one of my suitcases, the entire zipper ripped out. Thank you Lord for having that happen here and not at the airport or in flight. Had gotten a few bags on sale recently so repacked and put a strap on the new bag.
This always amazes me; shouldn't but does. Just ordered everything needed in faith, having no idea how or if it would fit; knowing it shouldn't but it did. I'm allowed two 50 pound suitcases, a carry on and a laptop bag. (Plus my cargo pants, of course!) Everything fit! Carrying in 160 pounds of supplies and around 10 pounds of personal things. Thought I might have to wear a coat for extra pockets but will only need the cargo pants and a shirt with pockets. Thank you Jesus!
A dear friend gave me a netbook for my trips, freely up enough space in my laptop bag to fit 50 New Testaments/Psalms/Proverbs (Delivered and given to me last night by another dear friend) and a few books and DVD's.
Crafts I wants were on clearance at Answers in Genesis and the videos also were on sale.
All books, videos and supplies were either donated or on sale for at least 25% off. God's economy.
Between what was given and personal funds; all expenses covered!
Is our God awesome or what!?!
This trip is looking to be an exciting I'll be a part of a Sonship retreat Monday through Thursday going with Bible Bhavan Church and the staff of DBI. This is being run by our good friends from World Harvest London (Bob Heppe and company) and I get to help with the children/teens. FYI, in 2002, I had the privilege of going to Wales to help with New Life Masih Ghar Churches first ever retreat run by the same folks running this one and that retreat is where the Shaws and I really connected.
Now 7 years later, on my 7th trip to Delhi working with DBI, I get to be with them again. This time in India! Thank you Jesus!
We did will be doing three 2 day camps in local schools; a long time dream and huge answer to prayer. The children will go to school and instead of going from class to class will be going to different stations of our camp. The student count for this is just over 500; less than 10% know Jesus, including teachers. Teaching on Creation and training children how to use the Wordless Book.
Also am looking to teach in Sunday School and a few other special events.
Some specific prayer requests:
Safe travel to Newark Airport and no problems or surprises with luggage (Weight exact weight allowed; at least by my scale.)
Friday morning between 11 AM and noon should hit customs. Please pray for no problems. Have never had problems but never what to take that for granted. Not "sneaking" anything in but no matter what country you enter, there can be hassles and fees.
Pray for leg to hold up. Long flights can be challenging for it and it tends to get angry when I try and do too much.
Team Unity and for the love of Jesus to shine for all of us.
Hearts to be opened as we share His love.
Encouragement for the staff and workers both Indian and London.
Our Indian teens as they work and minster with us.
For the Lord to keep my heart tender,
Suitcases to hold up.
At this point, I don't have a seat assigned for tonights flight. Praying for an aisle seat or even 1st class; never flown that. But mostly pray for opportunities to share his love at airport and on flight.
No problems with malaria mosquitoes.
On the humorous side; I was told the weather is pleasant there right now. By June standards yes but the 10 day forecast is for mid to high 90's. Not exactly my idea of pleasant but saying that, it truly is pleasant and beyond when I'm there ministering with my dear brothers and sisters.
Please really pray with Holy Boldness. Pray for God to work as never before opening even more doors to minister.
Keep shining brightly for Him.
Until Every Child Knows,
Big Jim
Matt. 19:14
James 1:27
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Lyle and Michelle Update/Back to the US
Back to the US
Dear Friends & Family,
About a week and a half ago, Michelle and I were very excited to be able to return to our PNG home and our kids and dear friends here. It has been marvelous to be here, and it has provided a good environment for me to have flexibility with work (going up and down the hill between the house and office as necessary) and help with the kids. Michelle has been slowly improving on her balance and continues to work regularly on the excercises given her by the physical therapist and occupational therapist in Australia. It will be a matter of months and maybe even years before we see exactly what deficits are overcome and which she will be left with.
Since being back, we have worked at attempting to contact neurologists and other medical experts around the world to get advice on what Michelle’s risk is for a restroke and to determine what is the best approach for preventing another major migraine that could lead to another stroke. While there are differing opinions on what the best medication would be for Michelle’s situation, the prevailing consensus of the medical folks we contacted was that it would be very wise for Michelle to be close to modern medical facilities in the event she have another episode. Based on the feedback we have received and the wholehearted support of our home church and leadership here, we have made the decision that we will be leaving PNG in early November. We did not want the process of packing up, selling items, and transitioning responsibilities at work to be too stressful for Michelle, so have planned these weeks here. We look forward to getting back to Michigan and finding a good neurologist that will be familiar with Michelle and her condition should this ever happen again.
The two largest down sides we see to us leaving early is the fact that our kids will need to change schools mid-year and the abbreviated time of training and handing things off in the office. I am currently starting to look into accounting jobs in the Grand Rapids area, and we are starting to see if we will be able to get pre-approved by a bank to buy a house. Given the economic times and our strange situation of being missionaries overseas makes us an odd case. The logistics of making arrangements for everything and selling the things we have here and buying all we need to in getting set back up seems like a lot, but we have been excited to already hear of some possible solutions for a vehicle and temporary housing.
We have thoroughly enjoyed our time here in PNG, and it has already been very emotional in many ways to think of leaving here. We have dear PNG national friends and NTM missionary friends that we will miss desperately, and we have gotten very comfortable in our home, school, and work. There are so many wonderful memories we have of our time here and feel priviliged that we have been able to be a part of the ministry here and had the opportunity to meet and work with so many wonderful people. Please pray with us for this time of transition and training here and for the huge process of getting settled back in Michigan. This has a big impact on our kids as well. You have been amazing to pray so faithfully for us through our time here and through the ups and downs along the way. Thank you all!
With love & appreciation,
Lyle, Michelle & kids
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Michelle!!! Go God Go!
Go God Go! Keep Praying Saints!
Until Every Child Knows,
Big Jim
Matt. 19:14
James 1:27
On Tue, Sep 1, 2009 at 12:54 AM, lyle_vanklompenberg
Hi everyone,
What a roller coaster ride we feel like we have been on with emotions all over the place since all this began 2 ½ weeks ago! After hearing some very difficult news yesterday and passing that along to all of you yesterday, we have some news we are much more excited to share today!
First of all, Michelle woke up this morning and started to get ready for us to leave for her rehabilitation appointment. As she was getting ready in the bathroom, Michelle said, “Lyle, I think I can see better today than I did yesterday!” As you probably remember, Michelle’s stroke had caused her to lose pretty much the entire upper left quadrant of vision in both of her eyes (and much of the lower left quadrant), so she had been unable to see objects above her eye level and to the left. This morning, as Michelle got ready for the day, she was able to see her things in her peripheral where everything had been completely black in the weeks since the stroke. We praise the Lord for that and are so grateful for all of you praying for Michelle’s vision. This already seems like some real improvement, which her very well respected neuro ophthalmologist told her not to expect! J Michelle has been experiencing some “flashes” and “sparkles” on her left side of her vision, and the neurologist wondered if this is just some of her brain settling down from the stroke.
Second of all, our plans have once again gone back to leaving together on Friday for PNG! The advice yesterday from Dr. Voermann, the rehabilitation doctor, was quite disturbing, and we spent a very difficult evening and night trying to sort out if I (Lyle) should go back to PNG to be with our kids, if Michelle should be admitted as an inpatient, if Michelle’s family should come to be with her, etc., etc. None of those options brought a real peace. Since the opinion that Dr. Voermann had shared was much more dire than anything told to us by the neurologist or any of the other medical staff we had talked to, we decided to contact our neurologist and make some contacts with a couple doctors in the United States that we really respected. Dr. Voermann had told us that Michelle should not be walking around, needed to be admitted to the rehabilitation unit for two weeks, and that Michelle was a high risk for restroking. All of this had Michelle even more anxious about me leaving her or not being able to see the kids for two more weeks. All of the advice we received from doctors in the US, one that oversees a major rehabilitation unit in Michigan, and from our neurologist here in Brisbane that has been working with Michelle since the beginning was that Michelle is past the very risky period and should be free to walk around as much as she is up to, does not need to be an inpatient, and should be fine to return to PNG! Due to the type of stroke Michelle had, which was not tied to risk factors such as obesity, oral contraceptives, high cholesterol, etc., she does not have the same risks others have of stroking again because of those factors.
As things stand now, Michelle plans to attend physiotherapy Wednesday morning and Thursday morning, and we hope to be able to get flights to get back to our beautiful children on Friday! Despite some of the harder days we have had (like yesterday), we do know God is in control and is very good to us. We pray we are able to live in light of that on the rougher days as well as the very encouraging days such as today! Thank you for riding this up and down road with us and caring so much. We still have some major decisions to make regarding our long-term plans, and those will need to be sorted out in the weeks again.
Love to you all,
Lyle & Michelle
Until Every Child Knows,
Big Jim
Matt. 19:14
James 1:27
On Tue, Sep 1, 2009 at 12:54 AM, lyle_vanklompenberg
Hi everyone,
What a roller coaster ride we feel like we have been on with emotions all over the place since all this began 2 ½ weeks ago! After hearing some very difficult news yesterday and passing that along to all of you yesterday, we have some news we are much more excited to share today!
First of all, Michelle woke up this morning and started to get ready for us to leave for her rehabilitation appointment. As she was getting ready in the bathroom, Michelle said, “Lyle, I think I can see better today than I did yesterday!” As you probably remember, Michelle’s stroke had caused her to lose pretty much the entire upper left quadrant of vision in both of her eyes (and much of the lower left quadrant), so she had been unable to see objects above her eye level and to the left. This morning, as Michelle got ready for the day, she was able to see her things in her peripheral where everything had been completely black in the weeks since the stroke. We praise the Lord for that and are so grateful for all of you praying for Michelle’s vision. This already seems like some real improvement, which her very well respected neuro ophthalmologist told her not to expect! J Michelle has been experiencing some “flashes” and “sparkles” on her left side of her vision, and the neurologist wondered if this is just some of her brain settling down from the stroke.
Second of all, our plans have once again gone back to leaving together on Friday for PNG! The advice yesterday from Dr. Voermann, the rehabilitation doctor, was quite disturbing, and we spent a very difficult evening and night trying to sort out if I (Lyle) should go back to PNG to be with our kids, if Michelle should be admitted as an inpatient, if Michelle’s family should come to be with her, etc., etc. None of those options brought a real peace. Since the opinion that Dr. Voermann had shared was much more dire than anything told to us by the neurologist or any of the other medical staff we had talked to, we decided to contact our neurologist and make some contacts with a couple doctors in the United States that we really respected. Dr. Voermann had told us that Michelle should not be walking around, needed to be admitted to the rehabilitation unit for two weeks, and that Michelle was a high risk for restroking. All of this had Michelle even more anxious about me leaving her or not being able to see the kids for two more weeks. All of the advice we received from doctors in the US, one that oversees a major rehabilitation unit in Michigan, and from our neurologist here in Brisbane that has been working with Michelle since the beginning was that Michelle is past the very risky period and should be free to walk around as much as she is up to, does not need to be an inpatient, and should be fine to return to PNG! Due to the type of stroke Michelle had, which was not tied to risk factors such as obesity, oral contraceptives, high cholesterol, etc., she does not have the same risks others have of stroking again because of those factors.
As things stand now, Michelle plans to attend physiotherapy Wednesday morning and Thursday morning, and we hope to be able to get flights to get back to our beautiful children on Friday! Despite some of the harder days we have had (like yesterday), we do know God is in control and is very good to us. We pray we are able to live in light of that on the rougher days as well as the very encouraging days such as today! Thank you for riding this up and down road with us and caring so much. We still have some major decisions to make regarding our long-term plans, and those will need to be sorted out in the weeks again.
Love to you all,
Lyle & Michelle
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