 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Whenever I read reports from Claudia Long about Camp
Youth Alive (click here),
my mind travels back to a special camp I attended when
I was just a kid. To this day, I consider that camp one
of the most significant influences on my entire life.
Every summer that camp challenged me to live out the Christian
life, to reflect Christ at school, to be a witness for
Him, and to share the gospel whenever I could. It was
a tremendous opportunity to get away from my normal routine
and focus my attention wholly on Christ.
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
When SIM missionary Gerlinde Skaggs suffered a devastating
head injury in a fall from her bicycle last May, her life
hung in the balance for several weeks. Then, as God answered
the many prayers of her family and SIM friends like you,
she regained consciousness and began showing remarkable
improvement. |
|
Unfortunately, since our last update, Gerlinde began experiencing
serious epileptic seizures that complicated her recovery. Nevertheless,
plans went forward to bring Gerlinde home, and on February 15,
Gerlinde made the long journey to America.
Since her arrival, there have been many encouraging moments
in her recovery, but also some disheartening setbacks--including
continuing frustrations with insurance companies.
Yet Ben and Gerlinde continue to trust God, knowing that He is in control. Ben purchased a home in Columbia and began remodeling it to make it handicap-accessible, for Gerlinde might never be able to walk again. It required an incredible amount of work, but with help from SIM and local Christians, the project moved forward steadily. And on April 7, Gerlinde moved into her new home.
It was a momentous occasion--the first time since Gerlinde's
accident that she has been outside of a medical facility for
any significant period of time. Yet throughout her long ordeal,
Gerlinde has remained strong. As one of her visitors commented,
"Everyone who sees Gerlinde . . . remarks about her grand
smile and snappy blue eyes that have not diminished one bit
despite the enormous burden that she now carries."
As the
Skaggs enter a new phase in life, please continue to remember
them in your prayers.
 |
Pray for Gerlinde's continued recovery. Although
she has made encouraging progress, she still faces
many challenges and setbacks.
|
|
Pray for Ben as he bears the burden of providing
24-hour care for Gerlinde. |
|
Pray for physical and emotional strength for Ben
as he makes the difficult adjustment from full-time
mission work to full-time caregiver. |
|
Pray that God will continue to give Ben opportunities
to share the gospel boldly even as he cares for
Gerlinde. |
|
Pray also for their son, Joshua, a paramedic serving
the civilian population of the Army base in Tikrit,
Sadam Hussein's hometown. |
|
Project 501356090
|
|
 |
|
