Excerpts from the Martins' Memos - December, 2014

Martins' Memos - Merry Christmas!

Duncanville

Texas, USA

December 2014


Update on Jason's recovery from a rattlesnake bite

A couple weeks after Jason was released from the hospital for treatment of snakebite, he had a follow-up blood test. The swelling in his foot had not improved much and the results from that blood test were delayed for a week. When the results finally came, the hematologist indicated that Jason's blood clotting and coagulation levels apparently regressed to a dangerous state, so we took him up to the emergency room at Parkland Hospital in downtown Dallas for further evaluation and possible admission for further treatments there. The blood test they did there that night showed his clotting and coagulation levels were actually improving slowly - much to everyone's relief.

Finally a little over two months after he got bitten, he was able to put enough pressure on his right foot to be able to walk a little, drive their van, and go back to work (keeping his foot elevated). Being a bit more mobile was a real mercy from the Lord, since he was able to hobble around short distances just a few days before Anne's due date. We are all grateful for your prayers and special gifts to help Jason and Anne with their medical expenses (they have no health insurance). Jason still has some distance to go to get back to normal, so please keep praying for the Lord's complete healing of his right foot.

Welcome to Jachin Timothy Martin, our 6th grandchild

After a false alarm on November 21st, we were thrilled to get our 6th grandchild on November 22nd - a boy named Jachin Timothy Martin. Jachin (pronounced "Jaykin") is Jason and Anne's third child.

Kaya, Anne, Jachin, Torin and Jason


 Health Reports All Good

Lenore's CT-scan in September showed that she continues to be cancer free! A follow-up evaluation by a lung specialist determined that the non-cancerous shadowy areas on her lungs that have shown up on her routine CT-scans, are nothing to be concerned about.

I (Bill) visited my cardiologist late last month and he was pleased that I have not had any further signs of heart problems, and I have no physical activity restrictions.

Joel's wife Rebecca recovering well from her spine surgery

On October 17th, the same day we took Jason to Parkland hospital, Joel's wife Rebecca had her spine surgery at another hospital in Dallas, to remove the rare benign tumor growing inside her spinal chord. We are glad to report that she has had a remarkable recovery from that surgery.

Joel and Rebecca's 3rd child Lily, is now about 3 1/2 months old. Both Mom and baby Lily are being well taken care of by little Doctor Mari.

Lily and big sister Dr. Mari

 

 

New Boat and Motor Needed for Charles' Translation Coordination Work on Manus

When we were in PNG last year training Manus Mother Tongue Translators to use the Adapt It and Paratext programs, Charles shared with us how his old "banana boat" and outboard motor back on Manus Island were worn out and not going to last much longer. Recently Charles wrote to say that his boat is now completely broken and the old motor is no longer able to run reliably.

The only way for Charles to coordinate and supervise translation efforts among the Nyindrou people and the two dozen other Manus language groups gearing up for Bible translation work, is through visiting them in person. Most of the groups are accessible only by sea, and the only available transportation is over the ocean by boat and outboard motor. To continue his work as coordinator of Bible translation projects on Manus, Charles needs a replacement boat and motor similar to the ones shown in this photo:

A fiberglass banana boat and outboard motor

The cost of getting a new banana boat and 60hp outboard motor landed on Manus Island currently is:

23' Yamaha fiberglass banana boat   $5,600
60hp Yamaha outboard motor   $8,400
Total   $14,000


Please pray that the Lord will supply this important need. If the Lord leads you to contribute to this need, this web page tells how you can contribute to this project.
On behalf of the translation workers on Manus, we thank you for your prayers, gifts and encouragement.

May God bless you with a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Yours in His wonderful grace,

 “And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause. (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Praise Items:

Prayer Items:

þ We praise the Lord for Jason's recovery from rattlesnake bite, and that good medical care was readily available.

o Pray for Jason and Anne, and for God's provision to cover all the medical expenses related to Jason's hospitalization and anti-venom treatments. They do not have any health insurance.

þ We praise the Lord for Giving us continued good health and the energy to do the work he has called us to do.

o Pray for Charles' need of a new boat and motor to enable him to supervise and encourage the Manus national translators. Pray that the Lord will provide the funds needed.

þ We praise the Lord for our kids and grandkids. It is wonderful to see them follow the ways of the Lord and serve Him.

o Pray for Rebecca's continued good recovery from spine surgery.

þ We praise the Lord for you who pray for us and work as partners with us through your financial gifts.

o Pray that the Lord would help us to know if we should try to make a trip to PNG next year 2015.

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