Friday April 15, 2011

As Ken Lee returns to his ministry in Japan, he asks that people continue to pray for Japan:

• Ask God to provide relief to those who have been affected by the earthquake/tsunami?those in need of food, shelter, water, clothing, utilities, medical care.
• Pray for God?s provision on relief workers and the organizations.
• Ask for wisdom for the Japanese government, CRWM staff, the RCJ leaders on how best to respond to the needs.
• Pray God to stabilize the nuclear plant situation and damage done to these plants by the tsunami. Click here for Nuclear power plant updates.
• Finally, Lee says he needs prayers as he helps evaluate the needs in Sendai and Asahi city.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Hi Everyone,

I just received a request from Shelly VV- to be praying for Joanne Altena and the resedents of Pleasant Acres in Hull. It is also where Leah Schoonhoven's mother is.

They have been shut down for the past few days because of a virus and it may be some time before they will allow visitors. As of today Joanne is not sick but the threat of a virus in a nursing home often has serious consequences. Please be in prayer for all the residents and staff.

We had planned on having Joanne join us for Sunday morning worship this Sunday--but that will no longer work. Please pray we will be able to do that as the weather warms and the situation at the home improves. I did see Joanne last week and she is in good spirits. She seems to be doing well though not much further progress has been made in the last number of months. She is able to carry on a very good conversation but her left arm and leg are pretty much unuseable and so she is confinded to a wheel chair.

Thank your--from the family- for your prayers- cards and visits. Blessings~nvb

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Hi everyone- below are the notes from Steve and Lynn Boersma- from Benjamin's Caring Bridge site

Thanks for your Prayers!!
wednesday, March 30, 2011 11:03 AM, CDT

Praise God that Benjamin came through another surgery successfully! The bones are back in and secured in place with titanium plates and screws. So he won't set off any airport security alarms, and there will only be minimal distortion if he ever needs an MRI again.

Benjamin is resting in his room and able to communicate with nods and hand squeezes. He has taken a few breaths on his own but will probably remain on the ventilator until tomorrow. He is on pain medication and an anti-anxiety drug to keep him comfy and calm.

Benjamin did well yesterday, considering he did not like all the tubes in his mouth. Lynn or I sat with him all the time we were here to remind him that his "hands have to be good" and not pull anything out. At times, his 12-year-old attitude and sense of humor came out just enough to recognize it.

We are grateful for all your prayers. We continue to be awed by all the support and encouraging words we have received. But most of all, we know that God is good all the time.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 5:56 PM, CDT

Benjamin has had a wonderful day. He has been able to communicate when his head hurts so they can give him meds for that. He has looked around and asked to look in the mirror a couple of times today. He doesn't remember things so has to be told more than once.

Now for the news you have all been waiting for. You are welcome to visit. Please know that Benjamin tires easily and that visits need to be kept short. Also if Benjamin is having therapy you may have to wait or come back another time. Also we can not have more than six people up to his floor and that includes Steve and I.

Benjamin's head is wrapped and he is at this moment still on the ventilator. We are hoping that will come out tomorrow. They will do some tests tonight and tomorrow to see how he is doing with that. He also has several IV's.

Benjamin has been moving around. He is able to move both arms, and all his fingers, he also has movement of his feet and legs but he is still very weak. He is definately getting stronger.

Thanks for all your prayers. He is doing well and we are praising God. Steve

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Benjamin Boersma went into surgery just a few minutes ago to have the two bone parts that were removed from his skull- thats a really good thing. He was actually awake and doing a few excersises monday and tuesday which is a really good sign. It will be about a 3 hour surgery. Pray for healing and recovery.

Also- Pray for Kevin Karhoff - Tina Kramer's grandson-inlaw- Kevin has been getting weaker and had to stay in the hospital for a couple of days for his treatments. His oldest daughter left on a mission project I think yesterday for Costa Rica and one other child may have broken their arm. So lots of added stress to an already difficult situation.

Pray for the Service Auction tonight- and for Craig and Jeannine as they continue to prepare for planting a church in Colorado-

REMINDER TOO- for the Potluck Sunday-- there was a sheet in your mailboxes with the details.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Please pray for Benjamin Boersma-

Things are not going well- he is either in surgery or about to go into surgery-

The following is a note from his dad- Steve.

Benjamin is getting his MRI and will have his surgery after that. The MRI is to map the area of the brain so that the surgeon will be able to get into the right area to remove the infection or fluid. We are in the surgical waiting area...waiting....

The whole procedure (MRI and surgery) will take about three hours, so we won't know anything until later this morning.

Please continue to pray for Benjamin the family and doctor