Never a dull moment

After the retreat, we picked Phyllis up at the airport, and headed straight for the airport in Morelia to pick Dan Coker up. He is spending the week here in Morelia, preaching and teaching. It has already been an encouragement and blessing to have him here. The minute we walked in the door, literally, the phone rang...One of our church family, Sandy was in the hospital after complications from a test she had done earlier in the week. Basically, she had a spinal headache that needed some serious attention. Just as Sam had lined up people to take care of her while Aldo was at work, the phone rang again...This time, one of our church family, Reina, called to say that her son, Juan, had just been in a car accident and was in the emergency room. So, Sam and Jose Luis headed to the emergency room to see him and Sandy.
The next morning during church, Jose Luis received a phone call... He was told that his oldest brother had just had a heart attack. They left immediately to be with his family and to find out that his brother had passed away. Very sadly, it was not a heart attack. His brother, Raul, had been drinking all night with his brothers and that morning choked, aspirated as he was throwing up and died. It was so tragic, especially, since Jose Luis just lost his father suddenly two months ago. As we had lunch with our neighbors, Arturo and Elsa, before heading over to the wake with them, Arturo got a phone call...One of his co-workers who had been sick for some time passed away. At Raul's burial, we found out that one of Jose Luis' sister-in-laws had just gotten word that her brother, traveling in the States, had passed away and they were awaiting for his body to be sent here. Wow! About this time we were wishing for more retreat time and for no phones!
And yet, in the midst of all this, God is faithful, oh so faithful. Sandy is home and feeling much better. The women in her cell group rose quickly and generously to the challenge and help to stay with her and take care of her. Juan ended up with a totaled car and a broken toe! He may have to have surgery, but that injury is so minor compared to what it could have been. Sam had the opportunity to say a few words of hope to Jose Luis' family at the burial, in a time of utter hopelessness and defeat for most of them. Jose Luis' sister-in-law has asked that Sam say a few words at her brother's funeral when the time comes. God has been glorified in each of these people's lives and we praise Him for that.
We do ask that you pray with us for the following:
1. Sandy's quick and complete recovery and healing
2. That Juan will use this opportunity to draw close to God and know a personal, loving, forgiving father in heaven.
3. For Jose Luis and Adriana as they tread the waters of grief, that they will lean more fully and completely in God, and that we, their Christian family, will be Christ to them in this time.
4. For Jose Luis' extended family as we have an opportunity to minister and share with them.
5. Specifically, for his brother's son, as his lost his mother also several years ago. That he will find comfort in God and that he will seek God.
Thank you for praying with us and for us. It is only this that sustains us and reminds us of the eternal hope that we have.