Buzzard Bylines 1982

• DeAnne Peterson
  I have been working at Utica Mutual Insurance for 3 1/2 years. I've found a small, excellent church I enjoy thoroughly. The pastor is a professor at a local seminary so we stay very current in what is happening in the church at large. I spent last year co-leading a Single Adult fellowship and this summer I hope to take a leave of absence from work to work in a Christian Girls' camp in Maine. I'm testing the water to see if God wants me back in that line of work.

• John & Patty Chestnut
  Greetings! The Lord has been doing great things for us. Our first child Robert Hamilton was born Jan. 19, 1981..so he's over a year now (what a joy!) and #2 will be here in mid-August. Exciting, but oh how we wish we could sit in Mr. Hatch's class again!! After spending 2 1/2 yrs. in a small struggling work in Reidsville, NC, God has opened a new area of ministry. As of May 1, 1982, John will begin the pastoral ministry at the First Evangelical Free Church, Brooklyn, NY. The church has English, Norwegian and Korean speaking congregations. John will just minister in English. If you're ever in NYC, let us know.

• Clinton & Laura Morrison
  We are enjoying our challenges as therapists at Arkansas Baptist Home for Children. I teach 9^th grade boys in SS and Laura is director of Single Adults. We both received our licenses as professional counselors in the state of Arkansas and are maintaining our clinical membership in the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

• Doris & Neil Wolfe
  Our move to the city is planned for June, 1982, for greater efficiency of personnel. In Dec. Neil helped ferry a new turbo-charged, radar-equipped Cessna 210 from the states to Tumi and since he has been enjoying the new plane. There are regular Tumi-Cochabamba flights to carry personnel and bring supplies. Doris keeps busy with teaching, the house and kids, and wondering how to pack everything for the move. Please keep praying for Bible translation here, for changed lives among the indigenous peoples, for our health and safety, and for the specific dates and way to move us all to Cocha.

• Tricia & Dan Miller
  Dan has nearly the 200 hrs. of helicopter time needed before we return to the Philippines. We consider this a real praise item! Our plans are to stay on here in Waxhaw until around the first of May. We will then fit in a month or so of deputation before departing for the Philippines around July 1.

• Gene & Bonnie Ward
  This has been a busy year with Gene hospitalized for 2 weeks [not able to return to work all summer] and the birth of Joan Marie on June 7. It's been different and although not what we would have planned, God has been faithful and we are thankful we can always depend on that. We started making preliminary applications to several mission boards but had to back off when Gene's trouble began. We could use continued prayer that Gene's back will straighten out and that God would have his way in our lives concerning missions. As for now, we are continuing our ministry here at our church, to our family and neighbors and Gene's involvement with his 5^th graders.

• Rhonda Hartell
  Being ill with hepatitis this fall kept me from reaching a couple of my monthly goals, which had to be pushed back. Cathie was a real help in taking care of the meals and housework while continuing her own studies. For all practical purposes, I'm now completely back to normal. I'll be very busy the next 3 months getting ready for furlough in May. Feb. & Mar. I'll be in Ivory Coast for a linguistic workshop. We'll be working pretty hard so I count on the time passing quickly.

• LaVon & Debbie Post
  Our love, thoughts and prayers to you all. The Lord has chosen southern AR for our place of ministry--Gloryland for hunters and fishers. LaVon has become quite the chef of BBQ deer and fried crappie. We are serving in the Methodist church with 2 small churches in our charge. Also, LaVon and Ron Nida work together with Ouachita Bible Society presenting gospel assemblies in jr. and sr. highschools in so. AR and no. LA. Debbie is wife, mother and just recently part-time nursing student. Blue-eyed blonde Rachelle Lin is 4 1/2 and brunette Amber Brittany is 2 1/2. The Lord has blessed in every way and we give Him the glory and praise for how he will continue to mold us and make us a pleasure unto Himself.

• Deb & Doug Stromberg
  Since June we have been working on a larger scale with SAM literature, headquartered here in Miami. Doug helps distribute Christian literature to all Central America and most of So. America. We had completed our work and goals in Bolivia and had trained 2 Bolivian believers to take over the bookstore and wholesale literature work. Doug continues to oversee the work from here, and we rejoice at how God's work continues to be carried on. We miss Bolivia--could go back tomorrow --but we know God wants us here. I work part-time at a preschool to help with housing expenses. Amy goes to Miami Christian School; Bethany and Cari go to the preschool with me.

• Marlene & Paul Wenzel
  We continue in the pastorate--now our 3^rd year. Over one third of last year we had different church people living with us due to personal problems. I'm keeping busy teaching my ladies' Bible study and SS class. Our biggest 'job' is Kerri, who has entered the terrible two's and is testing our patience, but also giving us the biggest laughs in our life. It was fin Labor Day weekend to have a mini-reunion with Deb Haken, Marlita Walker and families. It was the first time all 3 of us were together since 12/73. Lots of laughs and reminiscing. Our love to all of you.

• Larry & Lenore Hill
  Larry continues to work in our church as lay evangelist. God has greatly blessed his ministry and has encouraged us in many ways. Larry is in the long diocesan process of ordination in the Episcopal church and we look forward to that goal eagerly. The highlight of last year was on Oct. 3 when Sarah Katherine joined our family. Our children are such a blessing and delight to us; John, who is 3, loves having a sister.

• Al & Daisy Ortiz
  We are anxious to get the ethnic ministry among the Hispanics here in Dade Co. going, but we need your prayer backing for this new challenge. We have a small group--a Colombian family and a Cuban refugee family with some single young people and some other contacts among Dominicans, Mexicans and Puerto Ricans. Do pray for "boldness to speak as I ought to speak." We praise God for giving us the opportunity to have the family together, hopefully for the next couple years. Edwin started at the U of Miami in Jan. and Cindy is working since finishing high school. Daisy's dad Pepe continues to enjoy good health and adorns our family life with his patience and good humor.

• Marlita & Bill Walker
  Marlita's extra busy since the addition of Melody Janae on Jan. 29. Since Oct., Bill has been director of Christian Ed. and Youth and expects to receive his Master's degree in May. We have a big house right next to the church, so if you are in the area, please come by.

• Gary & Ellie Minion
  We're all doing fine. Derrick, born May 27, and the twins (2 1/2) keep our house full and lively. Gary still works with So. Bell and we continue to grow under the ministry of MacGregor Pres.

• Deb & Peter Jones
  In Oct. our next door neighbors generously donated a beautiful piece of land located near the Indian reservation in Estrella. A group of men rom Peter's uncle's church in Mobile, AL and Deb's father will be coming or a 'house-raising' Mar. 22-29. We anticipate a 4-month visit to the States in June, completing our first 4 yrs. in Costa Rica. In the midst of all this, we must still continue holding Bible studies and guiding the literacy program. We need your prayers for effective use of our time, a good house plan, good weather and wisdom in all the decisions and buying.

• Deb & Paul Haken
  Jeremy Todd was born Jan. 15. Paul is adapting to his new role of full-time aircraft mechanic [at JAARS]. We are committed to follow our Good Shepherd and we want to do so joyfully. We need your prayers as we follow Him.

• Mark & Linda Thomas
  In Aug. we finally made our move to England. How we praise God for His will and purpose that gave us wonderful years in NC, CO and TX. It would be good to hear from you, so please keep in touch. We praise the Lord and thank Him for your part in our lives. May the Lord be your every provision as you trust and obey a Savior whose love is boundless. Ephesians 3:14-21.

• Terry & Bev Thames
  We are maintaining the status quo--still attending Calvary Bible Church (pastored by Ray Scott) where Terry is very active. Teddy is 5 and Heidianne 2. Bev's enjoying being wife and mother and experimenting with natural foods.

• Pam & Fred Tuggy
  Last week we received our official acceptance as members of Wycliffe. After 7 years with WBT, it was time to make a decisive commitment. The Mexican branch wants us back so we've requested assignment there. We hope to leave Waxhaw by mid-June. Another answer to prayer is the purchase of 7 acres of land near the JAARS Center for a home we hope to build someday. You have assured us many times of your prayers for us, and we thank the Lord for you. Now we ask you to join us once again in praise to the God who has brought us this far and opens a new year to us in which to write His perfect will in our lives.

• Glynis & David Miller
  1981 was quite a year. In Feb. our foster daughter Tracey decided to live again with her mother. Since then she's be in other group and foster homes and has run away twice. Please pray with us about her. Stephen Matthew was born Aug. 20; Miriam (2 in Mar.) really loves him and is very protective. Together they keep me busy and dependent on the Lord for moment by moment wisdom and guidance. David is minister of Christian Ed. at Central Bapt. church. We feel God's closing the door of service here but as yet hasn't opened another. The invitation is open to anyone in the area to stop and visit. Christian friends are a welcome breath to us.

• Ed & Margaret Maehlmann
  Ed found that it was two complicated to serve as part-time youth pastor in 2 churches simultaneously so in mid-Feb. he resigned form 3^rd Ave. Bapt. while staying on at Richfield Rd. Bapt. The Lord has provided income through many odd jobs and work with a friend who has set up his own electronic business. We need to learn contentment in whatever state we are in and find God to be the only source of security. Margaret began teaching the adult SS class in Sept. and it has been a real challenge. Our major prayer request concerns the youth group. In Sept. it dwindled to 3 with the older ones going away to college, but had 15 for a roller skating party--very lively! Pray for Ed as he instructs, befriends and guides them to love, forgive, be courteous and guard their tongues. Most are from broken homes and experience little or no love or discipline.

• Armand & Jean LeBlanc
  As we look back over 1981, we have many reasons to praise God: 1) progress in Swahili, especially for Armand; 2) Armand has been working on a tract and a few simple Bible studies geared to M uslims in Swahili and English; 3) some Muslim contacts; 4) safe arrival of Amy & Kelly (May 2); 5) a place in school for Pete & Lori--both are adjusting well. Remember in prayer: 1) more and more progress in Swahili; 2) housing-our lease is up in April and we'd like to stay in our present apartment to the end of the term; 3) our ministry--wisdom in how to make friends and acquaintances who will respond to Christ in us, God's preparation of hearts, and encouragement, boldness and open doors.

• Martha & Jorge Cuevas
  We are very busy in our church as I'm teaching SS, a ladies' Bible study and a Weight Watchers class that is biblically oriented. God is raising up a church of laypeople to do the work as many missionaries had had to return statewide. [We request p]rayer for our presidential elections in July. J.B., our little joy is 1 yr. old and walking & talking up a storm. It may be necessary for us to return to the States; to pray that God will lead and work out all the details.

• Michael & Donna Simmons
  We have recently celebrated our first anniversary and are realizing the Lord's teaching us in many things. We have learned much by involvement with couples at World Gospel Church. Also the Lord is opening the door to work with international students at USC. We long to sow the seed in love while they are open and trust that God will someday harvest it. Please pray with us that we may take the opportunities as He opens the students' hearts.

• Wanda (Dowdy) & Rick Parks
  I worked at Dallas Theo. Seminary in the President's and Registrar's Offices until Jan. 1981. The end of Jan. I became engaged to Richard Parks whom I had met while on staff at Prairie Bible Institute, and we were married Aug. 15 in Tangier Island, VA. We then returned to Prairie for Rick to finish his last year of schooling. The Lord has blessed our marriage abundantly and together we are seeing the Lord as to the place of service he has for us. We will be in Canada until the end of May and then move to Sidney, MT to work for a few months.

• Grady & Vicki Merritt
  Since June 30, Grady has been a radio dispatcher for a local electric cooperative. He works midnight to 8 a.m. He will be spending another 2 weeks in Turkey this spring courtesy of the Air National Guard. Together we've tackled converting our garage into a family room.