As you will see from this letter, January has been a very eventful month. In fact, we have so many prayer updates, we don't have room for a letter! But we wanted you to know how God is working through your prayers. We have much to praise Him for and although in some situations God seems silent we trust that He hears and is working in ways we cannot yet see or understand. We want you to know how very thankful we are for your prayers. You truly share with us in whatever has been accomplished here for the Kingdom.

To begin with, we got a car! After months of waiting we have really seen the Lord's provision in our 1988 Olds Cutlass Ciera. It has 55,000 miles but is in excellent condition. Because of special gifts, we were able to buy a much nicer car than we had hoped for which should serve our needs for years to come. Thank you for praying and blessing us.

And we praise God for healing Jim. He had a growth below his rib cage which suddenly began to grow we could feel the bulge. The Wycliffe doctor examined Jim and had it x rayed to see if it was a calcium deposit. It was not so he sent him to a surgeon to have it removed and biopsied. With all we've been going through this burden seemed too much. But God knew because when he arrived for the surgery, the surgeon said there was no tumor and sent him home God had healed it on the way! We had prayed that way but were still shocked. (Oh ye of little faith!) Praise God for His goodness and faithfulness.

Continuing with Jim, he has felt a pull to step down from the directorship of the computer department for the last three years and serve as a programmer. Ten years in this position has been very stressful and his technical skills (which have always been what he loves to do most) have been mostly set aside all this time. Because of the changes now occurring at the top levels of management, he felt this might be the time to make this transition. But the administration is urging him to remain as director. We need to know what God wants. Jim will be taking the week of February 10th off to wait on the Lord for clear direction. Please pray with us that we will know God's will and have the grace to obey.

I have continued to face often overwhelming physical problems and am very tired. I have fought long and hard to run the race which God has set before me and have fellowshipped in His sufferings on behalf of His Church through the Spirit's power within me. But now in my weakness He has sent two special intercessors to come along side and, as I go through this dark valley, I am so thankful to God for this. Please pray that His perfect plan be accomplished to the praise of His Name during this special time of prayer.

My Dad is going through a crisis as he is breaking up his home to move to a retirement home where he will have the care he now needs. His physical condition has been deteriorating and he is very depressed. It is hard for me to be so far away at a time like this. He will move on February 14th and has had to disperse much of my mother's and his belongings. There has been a great sense of loss in this not only for Dad but for my sister and me. Please pray he will adjust to this change with God's grace and come to know his Savior through this pain.

David is doing a great job in programming but has a hectic schedule taking calculus 2 and history in college and working full time. The Lord has brought along a good Christian friend for Dave to fellowship with. His name is Dan and he's the son of Wycliffe missionaries in Papua New Guinea. Thanks for your prayers for David. God is really working in his life right now.

Jenny got all A's again this semester (yawn) maintaining her 4.0 with only one semester of high school to go. Her big concerto performance with symphony is coming up on February 28th and March 1st so she is working hard on the piano and beginning to get a bit nervous. She would appreciate your prayers for this that she could glorify God and play with His anointing. She is enjoying having a car to drive to school. An interrogation and deposition have been scheduled for March 19th for Jenny's law suit. Pray God will save us from any unjust claims and that this case will be settled out of court.

The doctors have released Skip from all treatment which tests show was not effective. Skip is mentally duller and not very responsive since this news. Jim and the kids continue to go about three times a week to pray which is greatly appreciated by the family. Although in the physical realm the battle appears lost, we know we must continue on in God who is able. For "Behold, the Lord's eye is upon those who fear Him; who wait for Him and hope in His mercy and lovingkindness to deliver them from death." Psalm 33:18,19 Please remember God's special servants Skip and Jackie at this critical time.

We thank you again for your partnership with us. We hope you are encouraged by these answers (both big and small) and that we will continue to see God's good plan worked out as we all join together. And we trust our prayers for you and ministry of sharing through our letters have been fruitful in your lives as well. Now, may the God of Peace encourage, strengthen and defend you as you put your trust in His unfailing love.