WONDERFUL, COUNSELLOR, PRINCE OF PEACE, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER
Gwenda and I send our Christmas greetings to you as the glorious names of our Lord overshadow us.
We are more immobilized this year, as I care for my dear one. I have learned to microwave casseroles lovingly prepared by our daughters, Miriam, Elisabeth and Priscilla.-and to prepare the meal. I learned anew that Gwenda did this for our eight for 1095 meals yearly, Thank you for all those creative years.
Early morning we enjoy the Lord’s Word together. I listen to Chuck Swindoll each morning for verse by verse study on RPH which stirs and delights me. Then I read the Scriptures to my dear one from my Online bible, while Mother prays for her children, grand and great grandchildren. I prompt her occasionally., but a Mother’s prayer is precious in God’s sight, especially the womanly touches.
We thank the Lord for telephone contact, enabling us to encourage many who deeply appreciate prayer. While physically confined, yet we bless the Lord for this avenue of service. Gwenda follows my discussion closely, reminding me I should call ‘someone’. We enjoy contact with Ruth, our oldest daughter, in Texas, while John regularly enquires from Melbourne our well-being, and ‘Mother, what are you reading?’ We regularly speak with Judith from NSW. Seize the moment to pray per phone.
Hallelujah! The Lord had preserved us to celebrate our 65 th year of married life. Oh, the mercy of our God, through years of war. 6 years of study in medicine, the most eventful years, according to Ruth, John and Judith in Indonesia, the return to Australia, God’s gift of a home in St. Mary’s 50 years ago to the day, launching a medical practice, being elder in a Christian community, teaching precious truth each Lord’s Day for nine years, setting up the Southern Christian Fellowship in our home, factory and on the South Road. Teaching the bible in OCF ( Overseas Christian Fellowship), preaching in Slavic, Vietnamese and Greek churches ( my coarse English was refined by interpreters ): and in English.
Our precious children, their growth in the Lord, emerging scholastic gifts, each inheriting their dear mother’s literary gift ( at different stages ) their chosen partners in marriage. Our children serving their Lord, Ruth in USA, John in Java and Rwanda, Miriam in Sudan and Ghana, Lis in Northern Ireland: Judith in NSW and Cil in many corners of our nation. The ultimate coming of grand children and a further generation. Seven privileged years at Lincoln college was a highlight in opening the precious page. With retirement from practice, ‘A doctor looks at the Bible, in English, Russian and now in Nigeria. The Lord carried Gwenda through Cardiac By-pass surgery and hip replacement and acute ulcer hemorrhage, while the Lord healed my 3 total hip replacements. Memories of His faithfulness.
Recent Sunday Bible Studies were innovative, linked with dear friends, Colin Harrison, who assumed my practice, and prayer partner Ian Wilson retired from a flourishing Cooperative. We gave 10 bible studies at our church on the attributes of God; followed by a series on the golden chapters of the bible. 20-30 have come consistently over 4 months. Some from a nearby church. ‘Please resume next year.’ Notes and CD record each study. A digital recorder faithfully records my legacy of unfading truth.
We meet each Friday morning for revival intercession and study of God’s Word, having commenced in '59 after Billy Graham preached. Many continue to live for their Lord- others are promoted to glory.
Gwenda also maintained one, until recently our beloved medical adviser advised her discontinuance.
Some of our dearest friends have been promoted to heaven. Peter James from hydrotherapy at Repat absorbed the loaned cassettes and CD’s, preaching , mimicking forthrightly in the pool. Now in glory.
Cecil Carson prayed when we left for Java in the fifties continued so faithfully until the Lord called him to heaven’s praise. I have missed these beloved brothers deeply. John Sutherland , who unobtrusively improved our home, is now at the Father’s throne. Product of Billy Graham’s preaching.
We celebrated my 90 th birthday at Pete/Cil’s home while Norman/Lis prepared an appetizing feast. I told how the Lord graciously and frequently intervened in family life over those years. Judith’s questionnaire showed our grandchildren‘s understandable, incomplete knowledge of those early rugged days. I filled in many gaps, showing the great Father heart of our God. Gwenda was overjoyed as John /Judith shared the morning service at Edwardstown Baptist, our spiritual home over later years.
I have been introduced to Megavoice available in 100plus languages , the entire bible, New Testament or the gospels for 3 billion illiterates, or many too infirm to hold the printed word. It stirred memories of winding a gramophone in the leprosy ward in Wlingi and the patients’ ecstasy hearing God’s word in their own tongue. My wrist ached. By faith, I claimed some for John on eve of his departure for Rwanda in their native tongue. .Worshippers at EBC are from India, China, Philippines, Indonesia, plus our dear Slavic, Greek and Vietnamese friends. Tears flowed when an overflowing gift came from Asia, sent days earlier. Gwenda had helped this Asian girl settle in our home - later, she was greatly blessed in OCF, topped her discipline at Adelaide and married a godly surgeon, whose children love our Lord Jesus. Miraculous. .I await shipment from Israel of Megavoice.com in multiple languages.
Gwenda is reviewing photo albums 20, 30,40, 50 years back., and reliving meeting many choice saints of varying countries., of which detail I have forgotten much.. We have also uncovered many of her bible studies written in copperplate style, and such deep truth. I often encourage Gwenda that her family and children’s studies are on our web site , www.biblestories.stellaris.com.au. You may check them too. Our dear Lord is pleased to send these with bible studies around the globe via our Web site .
Pray for our nephew, Jon Foote, as web manager; leader of our fellowship cell group.
We are in our Lord’s service. A book came from a Chinese after years in the Philippines. In 1951, he was admitted to RAH with acute appendicitis at 17. He visited our home- and Christ the Lord entered his heart, He went to Australian churches, pleading they read God’s Bible. He served in the Milk board, which overflowed to other Asian nations; sent leaders to bible school, planted satellite churches, helped his children graduate in law, medicine, as CEO. He wrote, ‘You planted good seed.’ 1951-2007.
God marvelously led our family: Ruth/Mac in Corpus Christi, Texas - , Lecturer Uni. Sponsored crisis weekends. Teenage pregnancy with 700-900 girls. Ian studying for doctorate in organ and choral.
John/Sandi Twice annually visit Rwanda Reconciliation-forgiveness. Sandi counseling comforting.
Simone recovered/ surgery, radiotherapy, faith strong. Adele 3 children Worship leader country church.
Judith teaching in Christian schools. Samaritan’s Purse Thailand visit 30,000 boxes Jeffrey research Andrew landscaper; Joanne cerebrally impaired children; Peter teaching; expecting second child.
Miriam/Peter shepherd Sudanese migrants 3000 in Adelaide; Peter: bible teaching. Miriam counseling
Phil Oxford ‘Justice’; Dan teaching Darwin ; David counsellor recently wedded; Stephen teaching.
Elisabeth/Norman Chair International Studies Adelaide. 6 th book ’peace-making‘ Norman North Ireland reconciliation. Luke promoted in insurance. Simon soccer coach. Shantala visited Northern Ireland.
Priscilla (Cil) Peter Ozscapes. 17 books. River Murray, Cil editor, manager, adviser, creation counsel.
Tess. Young people, will study Journalism. Jed batsman, wicket-keeper. Glenelg coaching.
Christmas: the birthday of our Emmanuel. Fall at His feet- and worship HIM, born in a cattle yard stable and laid as the Son of God, and son of Mary in a crude manger - came to be your Saviour and Lord. He grows more precious with each passing year. He is coming soon . Be ready for that rapture.