Friday Afternoon

Adrianna Cavanagh

Steph will resume her journaling when she can, but she, Adrianna and Joe are now getting some much-needed sleep.  Thus, this entry comes from the grandparents.

Prayer can’t always change the situation, but we believe prayer can always change US.  If our prayers for Adrianna’s miracle cure are denied, we can still consider our prayers answered in another way: Adrianna may soon leave this world of pain and suffering to enter the Kingdom of God and enjoy the blessings of Paradise.  SHE will be much better off there, though she will be painfully missed by all of us who know her best.

The doctors have looked at her blood tests and find evidence that her kidneys and liver are beginning to decline in efficiency. 

Though in some pain she continues to bless us by her great spirit and personality, which help to renew her mom and dad’s courage as they lovingly care for this child.  We delight in her own special phrases like “in a little while”, “be careful”, “ebby day”, and calling our names, Poppa, Pop-pop, Mimi or Nanna. She still talks, though not as much as when she was not sick.

Stephanie took Adrianna into her own room last night to let her see her dolls and animals (the little friends you have given her over the past 10 months).   She asked for several to hold and love, and we realized again how much these little ones have helped her on this long, agonizing journey. 

Afterwards, we watched her as she lay between her parents and clasped her hands together to say her prayers, “Now I lay me down to sleep…I pray the Lord my soul to take.”  I was thankful they videotaped that prayer.  How real and meaningful it was for her at this time. 

Our prayer now is that we can accept God’s will, if He does not heal her.  We are hoping that her life will continue to influence the lives of others.

We do not find the words to express our gratitude for the unexpected love, thoughts and prayers of all of you who have loved Adrianna so generously and unconditionally.  You have certainly made this Journey easier for us.
Judy and Reggie
Irene and Brian

 

Mark Hughes

Mark is doing better.  His problem is being treated with medication.  He may be about to leave the hospital in a few days.

 

Butch Reviere

Butch is looking forward to going to his sister’s home for some quiet time to continue his recovery from surgery.

Friday

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem,

and in all Judea and Samaria,

and to the end of the earth.”

~Acts 1:8~

 

Thank you for praying for Daddy yesterday.  His eye surgery went very well.  Pray for him as he goes through the healing process.

 

HAITI. For updated information and prayer requests related to the Haiti earthquake, please visit http://www.imb.org/main/pray/ and Ed Cox’s blog, http://imbprayerdir.wordpress.com.

 

 

As many of us complete our work weeks, let’s pray for those in Haiti  who have had such turmoil  in their lives for the past week and a help.  Pray this sad, sad time will also be a time when they realize people who don’t know them are there to assist them.  May a sense of love penetrate to their hearts and minds.  Pray this tragedy will be like an open window introducing them to the love of God and His plan to save them for eternity!

 

 

 

 

 

Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti as the news stories become less frequent.  Know their physical needs will be great for a long time.  Pray their spiritual needs will be fulfilled!’

 

Baptist Press 

https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/1265325f1aeb409c

 

 

 

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

 
I KNEW A woman one time whose husband had left his wife and children to marry her years ago…
 
After learning that such is adultery (Matthew 19:9), she said in all seriousness, “I don’t know what to do.  I guess we’ll go to torment.”  She was in what I call the Devil’s box.  That is, she had succumbed to his temptation, fallen into sin, and now was so tied to it that she simply saw no way out.
 
David was in the devil’s box after he committed sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11).  When she announced to him that she was carrying his child, David heard the top slam shut.  He was locked in the box.  He had to think of his sin day and night, and found himself desperately crafting a way to get out without exposing his sin.
 
Satan enjoys putting people in the box of sin because when we are there, we can’t see our way out except to live in fear of being discovered and paying the consequences of our actions.  (Glenn Colley)
 
 

“Be sober, be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion,

seeking whom he may devour.” 

~1 Peter 5:8~

  

  

May God touch your heart and help you to do something for someone today.  May this be a day to forget self and do for others.

Anna Lee

Thursday Addition – Haiti

 

IMB Video: http://www.imb.org/main//downloads/embedvideos.asp?flashvars=mvid=10472&mvidext=flv&cid=vid

 

 

Reposted from Rev. Jason Dukes’ post:

 

you may not want to read this…
Posted: 20 Jan 2010 04:02 PM PST

You may not want to read this unless you want to be made aware. Because being made aware means you have to make a choice. You have to decide if you will sit idly by or if you will do something. Anything at all.
USA Today interviewed Mark Driscoll, a pastor from Seattle, who witnessed post-earthquake Haiti firsthand this week. Again, you may not want to read this. But if you do, click on the link to the PDF below. Then, come back for some updates from our connections in Haiti.

youth in lawless Haiti at risk for sex trade, slavery, murder

If you weren’t aware of the reality of sex trafficking before you read that, you are now. It is a reality in our world. You can watch this YouTube video about an organization trying to do something about it that our pastoral team connected with:

BOTTOM LINE: it is a terrible reality of our world. And it potentially will become a greater and greater threat to Haitian girls in the aftermath of the earthquake in the coming months.
Another reality in a country like Haiti is that communities of faith have drastic influence on the health and safety of the people. So, let’s pray together for God to grant us wisdom as to what our long-term strategy needs to be to serve Haiti. Haiti is news-worthy as a ratings-booster right now, but last night’s election showed that other stories will trump the devastation there (maybe rightfully so, not sure), but the effort to rebuild Haiti will be a necessity for years to come.

Here’s an update from two connections we have there:

Haiti Update, January 20, 2010 – From Dr. John Sullivan
Subject:  Feeding Begins and Response Plan Takes Shape

The Florida Baptist Convention’s four-member assessment team was awakened this morning by the 6.1 magnitude earthquake tremor that struck 35 miles northwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  Although the four team members and a medical team from the Arkansas Baptist Convention scrambled to get outside, there was no further damage to the Convention’s mission building and no one was injured.
The Arkansas medical team – comprised of doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians – accompanied the Florida assessment team to various locations yesterday and today to provide medical assistance working out of Baptist churches.

On Wednesday, a Florida Baptist and International Mission Board team began distributing food near the El Shadai orphanage in Bon Repos, located north of the Port-au-Prince airport.  The private orphanage is managed by Marie Prinvil, a former Florida Baptist Convention employee.

Dennis Wilbanks, an associate in the Convention’s Partnership Missions Department, who arrived in Haiti on Sunday evening, was able to purchase limited supplies of food from distributors in Haiti.  Wilbanks, who has led several disaster relief efforts in Haiti, called upon his network of contacts in Haiti to secure the foodstuffs.
As the U.S. government readies to airlift thousands of orphans and refugees from Haiti to Miami, Florida Baptist staff members are working to assist in receiving, processing and re-settling these refugees.

On Wednesday, the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes began making preparations to receive, house and care for 100 Haiti orphans.  The Convention’s Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center campus near Leesburg is expected to provide the housing facilities.  The Alabama Baptist Convention has agreed to partner with the Florida Baptist Convention to meet the needs of the children and families when they arrive in Miami.

This weekend, the Convention’s assessment team members are expected to leave Haiti to meet in Hialeah to meet with representatives from the Florida Baptist Convention, International Mission Board and North America Mission Board. The four will provide first-hand assessment reports and help the mission leaders to develop a comprehensive response plan of how Southern Baptists can address the many needs in Haiti as soon as possible and as long as needed.  While the team is away from Haiti, the Convention’s indigenous Haitian missionaries and pastors will continue to coordinate the distribution of food.

More details on the response activities will be available on the Convention’s website www.flbaptist.org and on the Florida Baptist Witness website www.gofbw.com.
Also to be available this week on www.flbaptist.org are two brief (2 minutes or less) downloadable videos to encourage Florida Baptists to pray and to give to the Haiti relief effort.
__________________________________

From the Clark family

JAN 20TH_We had another big shake this morning…we are OK and the house is standing.  We lost internet until just now. We have had a full morning getting a medical team of 10 set up to work.  They are now treating some wounded.  They will be with us for several days.

JAN 19TH_I want to thank each of you for your prayers, gifts and notes of encouragement.  They mean a great deal to us. Today Roger went to visit Pastor Jeanty.  He and his wife are OK.  Their house is partially fallen down and the church is completely destroyed.  There were people at the church starting to clear away the rubble because they want to start having open air services in the church lot by Sunday. They had door to door (or tent to tent) ministry last Sunday and had 280 new converts.  So, they are anxious to have a place to meet, even if it is out in the open.  We praise God for this couple and the evangelistic calling God has on their lives. Also, today, we did the ‘routine’ of charging telephones, filtering water for the neighbors and just talking with folks that come by to see how we are.  Everyone is still very shaken, in need of a place to share their story and find a sympathetic shoulder.  And so we try to be the ears of Jesus as well as the hands and feet. Tomorrow we a medical team of 10 arriving.  We will house them and deliver them to several locations to work.  They will be here about a week.  Pray for strength as we serve the needs of those who are serving. We will close this update tonight with another thank you to each of you.  Know that we feel your prayers and love as do the people of Haiti.

JAN 18TH_Several have been asking just how to designate their gifts that they are sending to us through Elim Fellowship. At the moment there are 2 accounts set up for Haiti. 1. called “Haiti Relief” is a general account that will be disbursed by the directors at Elim. Some of this may come to us and some may go to other aid organizations that Elim partners with.  Giving to this account is fine, but we will not hear about your specific gift and will be unable to personally thank you. 2. OUR ACCOUNT – is called, “Roger Clark – Haiti Relief”. Funds designated this way will be placed in our project account for us to disburse as we see the needs here in Haiti.  We will be given a listing of all gifts to this account. So, just keep this in mind when you are sending your gifts and designate them accordingly.

SUPPORT ROGER & MARGARET: http://www.elimfellowship.org for Haiti relief info to Clarks for Haiti. And Roger’s blog is http://www.newlifehaiti.blogspot.com/

Thursday

Your hands shaped me and made me.

~Job 10:8 (NIV)~

 

Rev. Butch Reviere

David and I visited Bro. Butch yesterday evening.  He is progressing with his recovery, but doesn’t yet have a date to leave the hospital.  The biopsy results will be back in a couple days.  Keep praying.

 

Kathy Wales

David and I visited Kathy Sunday afternoon.  She was in good spirits and minding the doctors so she will be able to get around better as soon as possible.  Chris is taking good care of her.

Kathy went to the Doctor today, Wednesday January 20, and had her cast removed after 5 weeks. The doctor agreed to put her in a “boot” but insisted on continuing another 3 weeks total non-weight bearing. X-rays looked great. We will return to the doctor in 3 weeks to hopefully start partial weight bearing. We appreciate your prayers, cards and phone calls.
Thanks,
Chris

  

Adrianna Cavanagh’s CaringBridge page has been updated.  Please continue to pray for this family.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/adriannacavanagh

 

Stephanie,Joe and Adrianna, you continously are in my prayers. Adrianna is such a beautiful baby she has eyes like granny (LOL). Keep praying as God answers all prayer. Love you very much.

Phyllis McCraney

 

 

Mrs. Faye Price

Hi, Just wanted to let you know Faye has been moved to Kentwood rehab! We are all very excited, pray she will do well here!
Thanks to everyone for all of your prayers,continue to pray for a full recovery.
Laura

 

Grant Smith

Pray for my daddy as he has cataract surgery today in Hammond.

 

Jeanette L. Viola
(August 1, 1936 – January 19, 2010)

A resident of Amite, LA, died Tuesday, January 19, 2010. She retired from Shelby County Government and Macy’s Dept. Store, both in Memphis, TN. She is survived by her two daughters, Debbie Pingno and her husband, Emile, Amite, Theresa Simmons and her husband, Ted, Loranger, LA; a son, Ricky Viola, Amite; Five grandchildren, Charles Engeron, Loranger, Stacy Morris and her husband, Josh, Loranger, Jason Pingno and his wife, Heidi, Amite, Andy Perez and Joseph Perez, Amite; Six great-grandchildren: Nicholas and Abigail Engeron, Ashton and Colton Morris, Jason and Hunter Pingno. Also survived by four brothers: Richard Lee and his wife, Anna, Memphis, TN, Charles Lee and his wife, Helen, Senatobia, MS, Jerry Lee and his wife, Millie, Greer’s Ferry, AR, and Joe Lee, Memphis, TN; Three sisters, Elizabeth Morgan and her husband, Milton, Mountainburg, AR, Geneva Porter, Memphis, TN, and Zelpha Arnold and her husband, Craig, Fountain Inn, SC. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews including a niece in particular, Elizabeth Lee Ann Porter, Bethesda, MD, who has been here for the family every step of the way. In addition to a multitude of friends, she leaves behind four very close and dear friends, Charles and Rozell Reeves, Mountain View, AR, Cathy Martin, Memphis, TN, and Viral Patel, Amite.

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the following medical personnel and facilities for their kind, professional and compassionate care given to our loved one in her time of need: Dr. Joe Sharma and Dr. Juan Sarmiento and the staff of Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA; Dr. Rhea Jones and his staff; Dr. David Oubre, Wendy M. Gill, MSN ANP-C and staff at Pontchartrain Hematology Oncology, Inc.; Dr. Robert Fields and staff of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center; Dr. Gregory Linarello and staff; Dr. Alan Manning and staff, and the entire staff of North Oaks Hospital. Also a special thank you for the excellent care provide by Generation Hospice.

Visitation will be at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2010. Services conducted by Deacon Roger Navarra. Interment will follow in Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA.

The Memorial Video will be available for viewing on Friday.

 

 

 

Baptist Press contains articles about Haiti, the Mass. election, and other current topics of interest.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/1264df845dae78a9

 

 

 

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

 

 
SOME HANDS ARE used to play piano, some to mold clay, others to sign for those who cannot hear…
 
Some hands are used to cook for others.
 
Look at your hands.  What do you see?  I see veins popping up, brown spots, wrinkles and unpolished nails.  I see only the blemishes, but God sees them as instruments for serving others.  If I choose, they can be used like the woman who “extends her hand to the needy” (Proverbs 31:20).
 
Paul tells us to “work with our hands” (1 Thessalonians 4:11).  Solomon states that “lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4).  Isaiah begs for strength for his feeble hands (Isaiah 35:3).  David also admonishes us to have “clean hands and pure heart” (Psalm 24:4).  Gaynelle Thomas

 
Let him who stole steal no longer,

but rather let him labor,

working with his hands what is good,

that he may have something to give him who has need.” 

 ~Ephesians 4:28~

  

  

Remember to pray for these and for other needs today.  Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.

Your hands shaped me and made me.

~Job 10:8 (NIV)~

Anna Lee

 

 

Wednesday Afternoon

Update from the church

*Mark Hughes – The doctors will be doing an angiogram to see if he has a blockage and if that is what is causing his problems.
 
*Butch – last word was Tuesday – he was up and walking and the doctors were beginning to take out some of the tubes in his stomach.  Doing as well as can be expected.

Please continue to pray for both of these men.

Wednesday

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.

“They are plans … to give you a future and a hope …

You will find me when you seek me,

if you look for me in earnest.”  

Jeremiah 29:11, 13 (LB)

 

Adrianna Cavanaugh

Tuesday, January 19, 2010 8:57 AM, CST  

It is Tuesday morning and Adrianna had a decent night. She ate a LOT last night and slept pretty well. Today she has a chiropracto r visiting her that will try to give her some relief in her neck. He is really nice and is showing her on a stuffed animal what he is going to do. She is watching and considering it like a good girl, so we will see if she lets him adjust her for more comfort. She and her parents slept pretty well and Betsy and I slept in the next room in case they needed us. Just thought you all would like to know that she slept well. We can feel your prayers and love. Thanks for checking on us!
Kristi

Tuesday, January 19, 2010 11:18 AM, CST

 

Thanks to my sister, Kristi, for updating earlier for me. 
Just wanted everyone to know that Adrianna has been doing a lot of sleeping, but a lot of eating, too.
I also updated some photos from the last few weeks so that everyone could see how well she looks. 
Thanks to all of the thousands of prayers, Adrianna has stopped having seizures and we’ve been able to have conversatio ns with her.  This was an answered prayer for me, after seeing my baby go through so much on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
We’ ve been watching lots of movies and letting her “boss” us around.  So glad she has an appetite.
Now we just pray that she can stay as pain-free as possible and that the hallucinations she has been having will stop.
And as always, we are continually praying for a miraculous healing that only God could bless us with.
We thank the 100 or more people who stood outside our house last night, with candles, singing and praying for our sweet Adrianna.  It was so touching to all of us.
And for all of you who were doing the same at your home, and from miles and miles away.
We are taking it day by day, hour by hour, and soaking in all that we can possibly get with Adrianna.
She is such a fighter……we continue to be, as always, the proudest parents of this girl.
Love to all!
Believing in God’s will and in miracles,
Stephanie

 

 

 

 

From Caleb Estay’s grandmother, Annette

Little Caleb weighs 9 lbs and 5 oz and is doing just great according to the doctor. He is a precious little man.

 

 

 

 

Chris Primes of Amite was recovering from surgery, but now has an infection and is hospitalied again.  Chris and his family would be very appreciative of your prayers.

 

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB
JANUARY 20, 2010


“I waited patiently for the Lord;

and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.”

~Psalm 40:1~

 

HAITI. Southern Baptist bi-vocational pastor Tim Dortch from Camden, MS, probably never imagined that he was preparing for an earthquake when he built a compound in the Dominican Republic, about an hour from the Haitian border.  His plan was to use the facility to help start churches among Haitians and Dominicans.  After hearing the devastating news reports, Dortch broke down in tears—and prayer.  “That night I prayed to God that He would show me what to do,” Dortch said. “God’s given me a heart for Haiti.” Dortch made his compound available to an IMB media team and traveled in with them, carrying medical supplies and donations. Visit http://imb.org to read the full story “A Miracle” of how God connected Dortch with two orphanages that were desperate for supplies. “I just did what God told me to do,” said Dortch.

(I just heard on television there was another quake about 6 A..M. this morning in Haiti.  Please continue to pray for the people who live there and those who are there to provide help!) 

 

 

 

WORLD LEADERS. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Please pray today for Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany (central Europe).

 

GUANGZHOU, CHINA (gwong-JOH). Rejoice that God has drawn J to Himself! When a friend shared the Gospel with this young woman who has been treated terribly by her family, she eagerly accepted the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. Thank the Lord for another answered prayer, and ask Him to grow J’s faith strong and steadfast in Him.

 

KANURI OF NORTHERN NIGERIA (kah-NUH-ree). God continues to answer your prayers concerning the work of the missionaries in the village of K. They have been allowed to resume their well drilling in spite of those in the village who still oppose their being there. As the missionaries prayed for God to show them “good deeds” that they could do for the villagers in order to soften their hearts toward the missionaries and their message, God began to answer immediately. Within only 24 hours, they were able to do numerous small welding repair jobs for some of the people and to give rides to and carry loads for several others. A missionary writes: “It has been amazing to see how many more people have warmed to us. Pray that these good deeds done in the love and name of Jesus will bear fruit and, indeed, bring glory to our Father and to His Son. Continue to pray for the drilling of a good well and the planting of a strong body of believers in this town.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Jimmy Dukes and Rev. Jason Dukes, as well as the rest of the family, can be bery proud of Caleb Dukes.  Who knows, there may be a next generation preacher in the family!  Caleb certainly has a heart for people learning about God.  Jason posted a recent conversation with Caleb.  “thoughts” when his parents were hospitalized in New Orleans.

my resident 8 year old theologian
Posted: 18 Jan 2010 06:18 PM PST

So I’m lying down last night with my son, my 8 year old theologian son, Caleb. We have been talking a lot about the Haiti earthquake the past few days. The topic came up again. The room was dark. It was late, because we were out together enjoying the comedian Tim Hawkins followed by a late-night, help-Mommy-out grocery run to the Millenia Target (cause they are open later than the one at the Winter Garden Village). He was quiet, because his wheels were turning. The silence was broken with the following question:

Why did God let that happen to the people of Haiti? I mean, they were already a poor people who didn’t have much? Why did He do that?

Of course, I pulled out my iPhone on which I had prepared a media presentation, accented with 3-D effects, highlighting the system I had created to contain the knowledge of an understandable God who opened up the earth with a vengeful wrath terrorizing an ignored people who sold their souls and country to the guy with a pitch fork. Of course, that last sentence is NOT TRUE.

What I did say, though, was very profound. Profoundly transparent.

I don’t know, bud. I don’t think He caused that. He certainly allowed it. Why? I have no idea.

“But why? He can do anything, Dad,” he rebutted. “He didn’t have to let that fault line move.”

He was right. And all I could say is that I trust God. While I don’t think He made that earthquake happen, I know He allowed it. Why, I don’t know. I won’t know. I told Caleb that we live on a planet that God made in a created order, and we see His created order play out in so much of creation. From the food chain to weather patterns to the formation of rock and islands and more. And in that order, the earth moved that day. And now, as a follower of Jesus, as a believer in the almighty God, I don’t need to ask “why” as much as I need to ask “now what?”

And then I was quiet.

And then he said:

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, if that had not happened, some of those people would not have known that God is with them.

But now they will. Now they will know God is with them in how we help them.

“That’s right buddy. They will know Him and see Him by our love,” I affirmed him.

“If I was boss,” he asserted, “I would bring as many people from Haiti as we could here to help them heal and let the ones who wanted to stay and help the rebuild stay.”

An administrator and a theologian. Wow. That’s my boy.

 

Have a wonderful day! 

Anna Lee

Tuesday

Don’t worry about anything;

instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need,

 and thank him for all he has done.

~Philippians 4:6 (NLT)~

 

 

http://www.bpnews.net/

Go to Baptist Press to read about a pastor who died in Haiti and other stories of interest.

 
Thank You for Helping to Save
Lives in Haiti

In the six days since Haiti was devastated by an earthquake, Samaritan’s Purse has airlifted 17 medical personnel—including Dr. Bill Frist—and tons of hospital supplies into the disaster zone. We have also begun to provide thousands of families with clean water, emergency shelter, blankets, and other essentials.

On behalf of the suffering people of Haiti, we thank you for your prayers and support, and we want to share with you what God is doing through the ministry of Samaritan’s Purse.
Watch a video report how medical supplies airlifted by Samaritan’s Purse are enabling doctors to treat the wounded and halt life-threatening infections.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

 
See photographs of our work at the Baptist Haiti Mission hospital and in the streets of Port-au-Prince.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/In_Pictures
Listen to an eyewitness report of a Samaritan’s Purse worker in the heart of the disaster zone.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/medical_team_arrives_in_haiti/
Read about the arrival of Dr. Bill Frist (former U.S. Senate Majority Leader) and Dr. Richard Furman (co-founder of World Medical Mission) in the latest wave of medical personnel we have sent to Haiti.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/In_Pictures

 

Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti and the relief efforts there.

Anna Lee

Monday Evening

Roy Russell will be moved to rehab to help overcome some of the effects of the stroke.  He can have visitors and phone calls.  He would appreciate being checked on.

 

Mark  Hughes was only in surgery about an hour.  Surgery went well.  The tumor was attached to muscles, not the liver.  Elizabeth, his daugher, said Mark should be released from the hospital  in a couple of days.  Elizabeth thanks everyone for their prayers.