July 27, 2009

Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,  

As many of you already know our daughter and her two children as well as a visiting child were in an explosion in her home in early June 2009.  The visitor, Katie, has returned home but my grandson, Ewan died a few days following the accident.

As of this week, Lindsay has received all of her skin grafts and 100% took. She is off the respirator, trach, and all other tubes.  She is eating solid food on her own, standing, and walking.  She gets to walk down and see Emma every day.

Emma has had all of her skin grafts, and 95% took.  She is awake and off the respirator.  She is alert, talking and giving us her big smile.

In the next few weeks, they will both enter in-patient re-habilitation either in Chattanooga, Atlanta, or Jacksonville.  This time element will vary, but could be 4-6 weeks.  After this, it is expected that they will be making weekly visits to the surgeons and physical therapy for at least a year and Emma until adulthood. 

Because both Lindsay and Emma have been injured and Evie is just 20 months they will require around-the-clock care.  We believe as parents and grandparents that we must meet this need any way we can.  I have therefore tendered my resignation to Family Baptist Church, Guam and they have begun to look for a new pastor.  With the approval of my pastor, John Smith, my mission board director, Dr. Burge the following plan was implemented for the next year. 

1. I will return to Guam in August and tend to personal items.  Please pray with us about the shipping of our belongings.  It is very expensive and we just cannot sell everything.  The cost of this accident has depleted everything we have in emergency funds.
2. I will report to my supporters in Alaska as already scheduled September-November. 
3.  Starting in January 2010 I will be working with Dr. George Rundle of BMFP teaching and helping nationals to establish seminaries in their own countries.  In this way I will be out of the country teaching modules and then come home for a few weeks to meet my families needs and then back overseas again.  We will take another look at this next year to see if the girls are self-sufficient and then follow God's leading. 

Pastors, please feel free to contact me about any details that may not be made clear in a short letter.

Linda and I ask that you pray with us and support us in these changes.  You have been so generous and loving during this whole time of testing.  We want to say thank you:)

Daily updates are available at www.pineygrovebc.com. There are accounts set up at our home church, Pineygrove Baptist Church and at the mission board bmfp.org for financial gifts.  

If you need to reach us our temporary number is: 706-414-4201. It would be best to e-mail unless it is urgent, thanks.

He is so very great!  We have seen Him in every step and trial.

Jay and Linda
2 Cor. 1:3-4

ENLISTMENTS

We have had 34 professions of faith since October 1st and last Sunday we had 8 parents dedicated their babies to Christ!  It was a great service and encouraging for us as God is growing the assembly from both ends:)  We also had two men return from Afganistan, praise the Lord! 

TRANSFERS  

 We are sad to announce that we have lost some special people to military transfers and relocation.  Besar Santos has left us for Korea.  The Artero family left us for the mainland, all nine of them:( These were a great blessing to their pastor.  

  PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. Our support is at 61%. 

2. Linda has a need for $3,000 in dental work.

3. Bids and finances for the new Auditorium. 

4. God's guidance. 

Thanks for your prayers and faithful support.

Sincerely,
JAY AND LINDA