Kim & Jay Ghirardi's baby, Lydia, will have hybrid heart surgery today, Thursday the 23rd. The time seems to change, but noon was the last report. Doctors are concerned she is not strong enough to make it through. Please pray. Gail

Prayer requests for family - Jason and Ruth leave for Okinawa Christian School June 18th. He continues to have back and shoulder pain. Josh, my grandson will be in the Middle East until October.

Aaron, Jennie, Zachary and Andrew - they have found 4 brown recluse spiders in their home and are having a difficult time finding the right people to help them with this difficult situation.

Prayer requests for my work here at MRC - I have a lot of catching up to do with meeting with women in person, connecting by phone and email. I'm also wanting to meet with churches in the area and letting them know more about MRC and how they can partner with us. We are starting to make our plans for the fall.

Continue to pray for the MK/TCK retreat Aug. 5-11, 2013.

·         Pray for Lydia and her surgery now set for early next week. In addition to her heart condition, there is now a concern about her kidneys.

·         Pray for the MDs and all medical personnel to be on top of their game, alert and making good decisions. Pray for all medical equipment of function as it was designed for optimal health for Lydia.

·         Pray for comfort and peace for Jay and Kimberly. This is as painful as it gets for a parent. There is no definite end in sight yet which only increases then uncertainty. Pray for them in the many medical decisions they are facing now and in the future. Pray for their peace as their life is upside down now.

·         Pray for Julian. At her young age, she is seeing life in a whirlwind of change and not understanding. There were some sweet photos taken of her kissing Lydia while Jay held her.

·         Pray for the other family members who are together a lot in close quarters under difficult circumstances. We can all imagine our families in this scenario and how stressful it is. They are holding up quite  well for now. But it is a long road.

T 

This is an update for prayer requests for the mom to mom group.   

Client wants prayer for her mom's health and getting a job. Prayer needed for all the members of the mom 2 mom class. Leslie, leader of the group, prayer for a speedy recovery from her surgery and thanksgiving that the surgery went well.

Client's mother's health:  bladder and pelvic problems. Client's child has a teacher  being treated for cancer. Another leader wants prayer that her father would find a job; that her mother-in-law, Karen, recovers well from shoulder surgery; and, father-in-law, John, would continue to respond well to his cancer treatments.

Thanks and God bless, Blossom

Lydia Ghirardi (now 8-hours old) came through the heart catheterization fine. She is being stabilized now. More surgery ahead due to the left side of the heart not functioning but the first hurdle being cleared is a great first step. At last word she will have a major heart surgery within the week. She has already beaten some odds. Please keep Jay & Kimberly in your prayer. Kimberly is not even able to be at the same hospital with her new baby until her discharge on Thursday, so pray for peace for her as well. Jay is at Children’s with Lydia and Kimberly is at Magee recovering. Things are moving quickly, but this is where things stood at last word. Pray for all involved. Everyone is in God’s hands, where we all are anyway!

Please pray for Jay & Kimberly Ghirardi and their new daughter. She is now 5-hours old and was just taken into emergency surgery at Children’s Hospital to catheterize her heart to open a hole for blood flow. She is 7 lbs 6 ozs which is a good weight but this is very serious.

Praise to God for mercy on my cousin, Greg Vince. Greg had many larger than expected cancerous tumors removed during a successful 9 hour surgery. Please pray for his full recovery in icu over the coming week. Thank you. Jan

There's been a lot going on; and, everyone involved in the center needs to be kept in prayer.  Please pray specifically for Jennifer and her family as they're really going through some tough situations.  (Health, especially)  Also, Leslie just had surgery; and, is preparing to move from her home into an apartment.  She's in charge of the walk and has really been going through a lot.  Keep the walk in prayer; not sure how the walk volunteers are coming along; or, the donations.  There will also be a Chinese auction afterwards; so, there are some needs there, too.  Need baskets to give away.  Pray for the health of all the walkers; as well as, the workers involved in other ways.  Thanks so much for your prayer support; it's much needed.

Be blessed. Blossom

A very quick turn around in Rochester. Apparently my grandson's family had a 24 -36 hour flu that was really severe, but they are all at home and recovering. Prayer is always a help, whenever. Thanks for the prayer support. CPC! Gert.

Please pray for our grandson, his pregnant wife, their three girls who are sick with the flu - in Rochester NY. Cora the middle child is in the hospital, being treated for dehydration. Her daddy is with her. Mom and other girls are at home, all very sick. Thanks, G.

Received a phone call from Ann this morning requesting prayer:  Rachel, on the board, her dad, is feeling very uncomfortable, Lou Gehrig's disease, having a very rough time; not a good outlook.  Also, Ann will be starting a new post abortion class next week:  Surrendering the Secret; please pray the women will be brought into a closer relationship with the Lord; that He would heal their wounds:  shame, guilt, etc.  That they would be protected from the evil one in thoughts, etc.; and, that this class would be used for His glory. Of course, continue the prayers for the walk coming up. Thank you so much for your time and prayers on behalf of the PSWPA.

Be blessed, Blossom

Diane Miller came home yesterday, she is doing wonderful.  Thank you for all the prayers. Kim

Mom's surgery went as planned yesterday and is progressing very well. Continued prayer for a quick recovery. Kim

Harvey Levitt had surgery today and everything went well. Please pray for quick healing and less pain than they have talked about. Pray for the family and Pat to have strength to help him to take it easy and get better.

APRIL PRAISE and PRAYER

George Callister leaves for Haiti tomorrow (Friday, April 5). We will be going up to one of our mountain churches with a work team from Sandy Creek Baptist Church in Georgia, to put a roof on the church at Montoban. Four wheeling in Haiti, and a good 1-2 hour, or longer, hike up the mountain. Please pray for us. Pictures and videos should be posted when we get back, after April 13. Stay tuned!
 
Praise for a wonderful and productive Annual Executive Board meeting, held in Royal Palm Beach, Florida on March 9.
 
Pray for teams that are being scheduled over the next few months; In April a work team to put a roof on our church in Montoban; This Spring or Fall an exploratory trip to Gode and other ministries in the Cote de Fer area; A medical team June 7-15.
 
PRAY as we anticipate another change in management at Grace Center.  The current managers, Ted and Kathy Steinhauer are seeing other ministry and business opportunities that make continuing at Grace Center very difficult, so we are in communication with a young missionary couple, who are currently working in north Haiti, that are interested in the opportunities at Grace Center.  Pray as we work out the details, and we will keep you updated as things progress.
 
PRAY for George Callister as he makes plans to visit Haiti several times this year to gather more detailed information on our ministries, and then will be setting up an itinerary to visit churches here in the US to keep you all better informed on the progress God is bringing about as we serve Him.  This will involve trips to as many of our churches in Haiti as possible, including the remote mountain churches.
If your church or small group is interested in having George Callister, or another mission representative visit, please let us know.
 
PRAISE for the commitment of two matching funds of $5,000 each toward the purchase of a new Grace Center vehicle.  We have a way to go, but it is an excellent start.  To date, we have received $16,274.00, toward the needed vehicle.  We need a total of $35,000-$40,000, so please continue to pray for the Lord’s provision of the need.
 
PRAY as we anticipate progress in the ministry in 2013.  We face some challenges, but we know God is able to guide and provide.
 
PRAY as we work to finish Grace Center.  We still need a couple of projects completed, including the landscaping of the property, putting screen on the patios, a meeting pavilion and etc.
 
PRAY for the needs of Grace Mission, particularly in the area of financial needs.  We face difficult economic times in our country, but God is able to provide.  Please pray for the provision of our needs in Haiti.

Praise - my brother Bill has invited me to come to their ranch in the Baja, below CA. Bill and Kaye have lived there almost 50 years. I have not seen him for 5 years. I will be speaking at the Rancho Santa Marta to the children that go to the school there and to the local community church. It will be wonderful to spend time with Bill and Kaye and their extended family and be a companion in processing their future with them - put my "caregiving" experiences to work!

Jason (my oldest son) and Ruth have retired from the Air Force and are on their way to Okinawa Christian School where Jason spent his childhood. He will be the business manager. Grace of God in our lives!

For MRC, the spring newsletter has been sent out and we continue to help missionaries find the resources needed as they transition to the Columbia area either for the summer or the year.

Prayer requests - my trip to Mexico

Response to our letter and for my continued "caregiving" role for many women

Preparation for the MK/TCK re-entry retreat

For my oldest grandson, Joshua who will be leaving soon for a 6 month deployment with the Air Force to the Middle East

The Rescue "All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too."  2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (The Message) 

Thank you for your prayers for my ministry and my family.

In His love, Miriam

Update: Our grandson Silas has improved levels today after a rough up and down weekend. We do no know any details about him being released yet. He is still energetic but has a serious case of cabin fever as you would expect. He, along with his brother and sisters are cautioned to not be around anyone else, (kids especially) for 3-4 weeks. Thanks to everyone who asked yesterday and has prayed for him. - - - Terry & Kay

Please pray for good surgery & speedy recovery for my aunt, Margaret Ann, in Greenville Hospital for hip replacement. thanks, Rob

I'm sorry to say that Renee Sinclair passed away this morning. I know she is in heaven with our Lord. What a glorious day to go home! Thanks for your prayers. Carolyn

One of my Consultants, Renee Sinclair from Ellwood City, PA , has a brain aneurysm and was life-flighted yesterday to Allegheny in Pittsburgh. They are Keeping Renee in a coma and are concerned as the brain continues to swell. Thanks for your prayers, Carolyn

For the many many folks who have responded to our request for prayer for our grandson Silas, and those who asked about him last evening, here is an update. It is an E. Coli bacterial infection. They are not sure how he contracted it. He stayed overnight in the hospital. They are beginning treatment, but for a younger child they must watch him as renal failure is a risk. The MD said he was still feisty (he is my grandson after all!) and that is a good sign. When they get listless is when they get more concerned. They had not introduced solid food as of last night, just waiting to get some water to stay down. Thank you to everyone who prayed for him. He is not out of the woods yet, but he is hanging in there. Those of us who are parents know how difficult it is to be with your child in these situations, so I am sure Richard and Priscilla appreciate the continued prayer for them as well.

Pray for our grandson Silas. He is our son Richard and his wife Priscilla's son. He is two years old and lives in Knoxville, TN. He has not eaten in over two days, and appears to have something wrong with his stomach. He had a lot of pain, vomiting and diarrhea and there were indications of possible blood in his stomach. We have just learned that he has been diagnosed with E. Coli and they fear it is systemic at this point. He is at the local Children's Hospital. Thank you for lifting him and his parents to the Lord. - Terry & Kay Mann

Please continue to pray for Leslie and her family as many things have been going on with all of them.   

Also, Ann asked that we would please pray for her new class that will be starting up for the post abortion group, (surrendering the secret).  It gets pretty intense; and, they struggle with emotions of guilt and unforgiveness. 

Thanks for your time and effort.  Blossom

Please pray for Jane Dresch and her family. They are having to remove Fred from life support today. Please pray for God' peace for all of them. Barb

Thanksgiving for Michael who is home after open heart surgery and still regaining strength. Also, coworker is recovering at home after shoulder surgery, please continue praying for healing and rest as she still has quite a bit of pain and difficulty sleeping. Marlene

I just want to praise God for walking with us yesterday through a very scary time. What started as a visit to Med Express for Christian not feeling well, ended up wtih an emergency ambulance ride to the ER for possible heart problems. Through it all, God's peace was so real. All tests came back fine but follow-up will be coming with our regular doctor. Please pray for God's wisdom. Thanks to those who were praying as well. We do serve an awesome God who walks with us always. I am humbled and grateful.  Barb

• 3/19
  RANCHO SANTA MARTA:
  Beginning of Santa Marta Kindergarten and High School - much paperwork needs to be done for this. Construction of more classrooms and medical office to attend to needs for the community and children. Help installing a solar system and finances to maintain our growing ministry.

Please, pray for my brother Steve he was supposed to have surgery at 6am today. Darlene

Cindy W is home from Cleve. Clinic this week. Feeling poorly from last week's chemo treatment. She returns next Mon for her next treatment. Please lift her, Carl, and their kids to our Lord. Thank you. Jan

Praise for my trip and seeing the great perseverance the women have to continue to live in the country where God has sent them.  Praise that the Lord allowed me to go and be a source of encouragement to them. Such a privilege!

Praise for my family. Ethan, Bethany and Owen have settled in the Middle East. Aaron's appointment with his eye surgeon was encouraging.

Prayer requests - Continued stamina as I meet with missionary women in Columbia and correspond by email with the many women I have met that serve around the world.  I will be traveling to Raleigh next week as I am on the advisory board for the new MRC in the Raleigh/Durham area.  Pray for discernment as we meet together. My prayer is that I will not be too busy to take care of the essentials, that I will hear the Lord as He shows me the essentials and that what I do will honor and glorify Him!

Thank you for your prayers for my ministry and my family.  In His Love, Miriam

We would like to thank our church family for the love and support you guys have shown us during the difficult time we have had. We are so grateful for how strong of a church we are to show us this much support from the wonderful church family we have. Thanks for everything, The Oris Family

During the month of March, each Sunday evening on The History Channel, an epic 10-part miniseries entitled The Bible will air in prime time.  This event is the culmination of three years of work led by the Emmy winning husband and wife team of Mark Burnett and Roma Downey. With two segments shown each Sunday evening, this series will present the Scriptural account of God’s work in our world going from the Patriarchs until the beginning of the church. You will find this to be a Biblically faithful and historically accurate account of the narratives in Scripture that we hold dear.

For more information, visit this webpage.