As Mother’s Day approaches and we plan ways to show our Mothers how much we love and appreciate them, I wanted to take a moment to share the update to some special Asian women and mothers who work with Mustard Seed overseas. Their lives are inspiring to us to continue to hold strong in our faith and we hope you will join us in remembering these women in prayer.

Wendy and Putri

Wendy was sent home from the hospital today with pain medication. Nothing more to do. Cancer everywhere. Sitting by her hospital bed on Saturday, I saw the desperation in her face as through tears she asked if I could help her make a voice recording for her three young daughters. Her desire to write personal letters to them has faded away in light of her complete exhaustion and weakness. We have a plan in place to help her fulfill this desire tomorrow; would you pray that God would give Wendy a window of strength, clear thinking, and freedom from pain as she seeks to record what she most wants her daughters to remember?

Putri was also at the hospital on Saturday, encouraging Wendy. You may remember that Putri’s life was in the balance when her kidneys failed in the fall of 2008. Now, with over 200 dialysis treatments behind her, she was the perfect person to sit with Wendy as Wendy began her first experience with the dialysis machine. Even though Putri won’t be able to return to teach at the school in Western Indonesia, she is actively involved in ministry at the Youth Centre.

And, starting a few months ago, God provided a way for Putri to get two dialysis treatments per week, for free!

The third woman in the hospital room that day was Ruthy, the widow of Timoteus who drowned last September. She knows the pain of recent grief, and her gentle presence in the room brought comfort to Wendy. Ruthy told me that her children often talk about their father, and the littlest ones still ask when he is coming home.

Thank you for your prayers for Wendy over the years of her struggle with cancer. Pray that her last chapter on earth will be marked by peace, closure, and faith. Thank you to those of you who have sent gifts to Mustard Seed to help with her medical expenses; these gifts have relieved a tremendous burden that Wendy’s own family never could have carried.

Thank you for your prayers for Putri, and for the gifts you gave when she was desperately needy. Praise God for His healing in her life and for her desire to serve; even though her physical capacity is more limited than before, she has a deeper well of experience to know that God is with us in the valleys.

Ruthy

Thank you for your prayers for Ruthy, her five children, and the Youth Centre. We have continued to meet regularly with the people who are committed to carrying on Timo’s vision for ministry to youth. Thank you for your generous giving towards the purchase of a house for Ruthy and the children. She is overwhelmed with gratitude, and we are working with her in the decision-making process. Perhaps we can share more about this in another update soon.

These are just a few of the wonderful partners we have overseas who work in the Mustard Seed schools and orphanages. If you would like more information, please contact us or sign up for our e-newsletter, we would be happy to share.