Dear Friends and Brethren:

I am now in South Africa and will preach at Benoni the 4th of April. My first trip out of SA will be to Zimbabwe for 10 days to teach at the Harare school, set-up last August, and to preach in various places in the cities of Harare and Mutare.  Plans are to discuss a Sunset association with the preaching school that has been in Mutare since the ‘60's.  Pray for this partnership to assist in ministry training.

A visit to Malawi in May is anticipated for some preaching during a campaign to begin a new congregation in the area where property was donated by the chief  for a training school. This Sunset-related school is being planned and sponsored by the Green Valley church in Noblesville, Indiana in 2011.  Prayers and support are requested for them to accomplish their goals to train more workers for the Kingdom in Malawi.

His doctor diagnosed a return of his cancer with markers that have increased suddenly and dramatically.  He now can control his pain level with a new medical regimen.  The goal is to provide some comfort and rest time.

In a few days there will be a scope to determine exactly where the cancer is located.  At that time, they will decide if chemo is an option.   We gathered from their comments that if it is located in the pancreas that neither Don nor Rilda are favorable toward starting chemo treatments.

They will be moving soon, having sold their house and having purchased another one.   We have committed to helping them move.

Stuart  Jones

Dear Friends and Brethren:

For some reason, I kept thinking this was a Leap Year and that we’d have a longer month. February always seems to vanish quickly every year anyway. We hope everyone safely survived all the snow and ice that hampered about every State during this short month. I had to postpone 2 speaking appointments in Pikeville, KY area due to snow, not only on the mountains, but on the roads as well. It was just too dangerous to drive there.  No doubt, you were as happy to see the bad weather improve somewhat as I was, and that March promises us a bit warmer climate.  Don’t know about you, but I am ready for Spring!  However, by the time it arrives here, I will be heading south to Africa (March 29th) and into Autumn again.  Can’t win ‘em all, now can you?

Moya & I send loving greetings to each of you who will receive this report.  We pray that our Lord is prospering you all as you reach out with His love in your efforts to lead others to Christ.

It has been a long time since last we wrote, but you have not been out of our minds.  During the past 9-months I have struggled with some health problems and since entering into partial retirement and becoming, (what is referred to here in Australia, as an "Old-Age-Pensioner"),  the last few months have been as full in our Christian ministry, if not fuller than previous years.  As some of you are aware, the South Coast Church here in Albany is comprised of mainly senior Christians and a great many pastoral needs have arisen during the past six months that have taken up a lot of our time.

We, like most congregations here in Australia, are extremely short of able-bodied workers.  But with our Lord’s help, everything has been attended to and everyone cared for, as much as we are able.

Friends,

Kay and I just returned from our 15th annual trip to work with congregations in the Northeast.  I was able to speak to three congregations and members from several other congregations who attended the various events. 

On Wednesday evening, Oct.7, we were at the East End Church of Christ on Long Island.  This congregation was planted years ago by one of our graduates, Jim Condon.  Jim has recently retired from preaching and moved to North Carolina to be near his children.  East End is now looking for a full time preacher and they have asked for our help to find the right person.

CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

In the United States of America, we go straight from one public holiday to the next in a heartbeat! No sooner are the after-Christmas sales finished, when you can buy your cards and decorations at half-price for next year, than we are seeing hearts and pretty pink and red items for Valentine’s Day! After that special sweetheart’s day, on the same shelf, you will find specials on heart-shaped cards and boxes of candy beside yellow and white marshmallow Easter eggs, chicks and bunnies. Then we have, in May, all the floral wreaths and red-white-and-blue American flags displayed in the stores in preparation for Memorial Day. And, rightly so, Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day cards and special gifts are on display about the same time. The flags continue until after July the Fourth for America’s most celebrated holiday of independence. Often, I think if it were not for visiting the card sections, we would not become aware of most holidays. Likely I would forget the dates if I didn’t see reminders so often.

Jerry Hogg's newsletter concerning his work in Africa.

Dear Folks:

Getting home the 27th was good . I was so tired. During my six weeks away, I visited 5 countries which included Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was the right timing and season for good weather on both sides - not too hot, not too cold in either place. Signs of early Fall and cooler temps were starting in the Southern Hemisphere where the days were getting shorter, the sun going down earlier. Our God has made a wonderful planet for His children as our temporary dwelling-place! 

For years I have accumulated Voyager Miles with both South African Airways and United Airlines for local connections. Until now, I was unable to take advantage of them - not enough miles or something. On this trip I paid for tickets to Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia & Botswana using Voyager Miles, and only had to pay the tax in cash. This was such a savings for me. At last, I was able to enjoy the extra miles for a good cause!

February, being the shortest month of the year, always slips away faster than we anticipate. There is never sufficient time to cram in all we plan to do. We trust this report finds you well and prosperous. In these days, with the downturn in the economy and the stock market going in the wrong direction, we thank God for every blessing more than ever. We have been working hard to firm up the support from churches and individuals for this year. Surprisingly, brethren everywhere I go say they are anxious about the future, but commitments for our work have been great. God is good and the church is still spreading the flame.