Buzzard Bylines 1989

• Martha & Jorge Cuevas
  The first of the year we flew to Mexico for a visit. The boys loved the animals, especially the baby goats. March found Jorge out-of-town building several churches 4 days a week, and that is what the next year holds unless the boys and I go to Rock Hill. In July, Jorge and 2 co-workers went to Laredo, TX on a PCA work project. They build little houses for $250 and share the gospel. Many were saved. My niece Sarah has joined Andrew in preschool 3 days a week. JB is doing very well in 2nd grade under the A Beka program. It is always exciting to see what the Lord has for us next.

• Rhonda Hartell
  I've been away from Burkina Faso for over a year but am expecting to return in Feb. I have not been able to adjust to the cold-either climate or air conditioning-but several warm sweaters take up the slack. I passed my medical check-up with flying colors. I've moved or traveled about 20 times this year. For the most part I enjoy this, but it can be very draining. My parents sold their home of 20 years this summer which adds to a sense of rootlessness I have while on furlough. I have had a number of quality times with members of my family and good friends which have served to get me away from my desk and all-consuming computer. This has been a remarkable time in my spiritual life. It stems chiefly from finding a supportive, vital church. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. They are absolutely essential to the ongoing ministry to which God has called me.

• Armand & Jean LeBlanc
  Currently Armand is Field Superintendent for International Missions Inc. in Kenya where we work among Swahili Muslims. We have many opportunities for personal visits. Pray we'll be able to convey peace and comfort to anxious Muslim hearts. Family- wise, the kids are fine, and Jean's feeling fine today, and I'm "mean as a snake." I've been practicing. Pray for a good furlough, which will begin in July. Ask God to raise up $30,000 for re-outfitting as we return to Kenya and for Him to use us as we speak and fellowship.

• Ed & Margaret Maehlman
  Ed still supervises Study Hall 4 periods but his 5th class he teaches math. Just before school began he got his teaching certification for Bible and a temporary one for math. Biking is still his #1 form of relaxation. During the summer, he , Rick and 4 other boys cycled 240 miles to the Gulf Coast in 4 days. I'm still involved with Homemakers and we just baked cookies for the prison inmates. This year I've learned a new craft- Scherenschnitte. Ed has joined me in making grape vine wreaths but not in sewing. I still do weekly children's radio on Sat., plus 7 hrs. a day of music production, training students and being a D.J.

• Grady & Vicki Merritt
  our days are still pretty much filled with home schooling. I still edit the area support group newsletter and do a fair amount of telephone counseling/encouraging, as well as teaching our three. Ben has applied to enter Ben Lippen as a junior in the fall. Grady is still radio dispatching and Air National Guarding. We've made several family trips this year including getting the whole Hammack clan together at Thanksgiving. Just after Christmas we learned G's dad had inoperable lung cancer and were able to spend New Year's weekend in Pensacola. In May we look forward to having 38 members of my mom's side of the family together in Iowa for Grandpa's 83rd birthday.

• Tricia & Dan Miller
  I've been home since Oct. 15 to stay with my folks. Plans are to return to Philippines on Jan. 6. My dad was said to have only 6- 12 mos. to live [it's been 6 mos. now]. Upon my arrival, his condition was poor and he'd been confined to bed since June, 1988. Overall we've been encouraged even though we know his heart is weak and his health frail. His sense of humor is still very active. It's been a special time to spend these days with Daddy as we reminisce about our family life and reflect back on the way God has brought us. I have so much for which to be thankful. During this time, Scott and Kim stay with Elizabeth Gee, one of our new teachers in Bagabag. Dan directs the Aviation Dept. and has been asked to become its manager beginning in the summer of 1990. Pray with us as we consider this position.

• Clint & Laura Morrison
  Clint is area director for the Arkansas Baptist Family and Child Care Services. Pray that our son Chris might maintain a testimony at school and not be deterred by a strong, negative peer group.

• Al & Daisy Ortiz
  We arrived in Columbia on July 4 to find refuge from the cloud of stress of family sickness and ministry pressures. With Daisy recuperating from ptomaine poisoning, Cindy under medication for a chemical imbalance and my own inner struggles with the Lord, we were in no shape to celebrate. After a couple months we found affordable housing, Daisy fully recuperated and Cindy was taken off medication. Because Cindy's counselor is concerned about the amount of stress we managed on the field this past term, he asked to meet with us as well. I've also been taking his counseling course of "Theory of Personality" at CBCS and will be dealing with "Counseling Techniques" and "Biblical Marriage" in the winter quarter. Special needs are facing us in the days ahead and we covet your prayers.

• Al & Claudia Pearce
  June 10, 1988, I retired from the Richland Co. Sheriff's Dept. and left for Alaska to do church planting. We are serving in a small village chapel, Chistochina, and God is doing wonderful things. I will be using my aviation experience (pilot and mechanic) in my work here. Pray for faithfulness in our time of serving the Lord. David is nearly 20 and in the Air Force. Tim is 14.

• Paul & Marlene Wenzel
  I'm sure you've heard that Paul's dad died of a heart attack in May. He was still teaching. The funeral was a special time of seeing many faculty, staff & friends we hadn't seen since college days. Heaven seemed all the more precious in those sad days. Mr. Hatch, Mr. Hoyt and Dr. McQuay all shared in special ways at the funeral and Pres. McQ. was the main speaker. While Mom W had had a difficult time adjusting, Dad W is where he looked forward to being for many years. Paul was chosen to join the Board of SAM so is seeing more CBC'ers in that ministry. Stash and Faith DeLaCour spent five days with us on furlough from Japan--many laughs!

• Ted & Beth Ragsdale
  We've had a very fruitful summer in our campground ministry in Myrtle Beach. There were a number of people who accepted Jesus as Savior each week. I'm very thankful for a good assistant, Paul DiToma. This summer we added a `Christian Video Seminar' program which dealt with topics such as cults, how to prepare for adolescence, the New Age movement, what every wife wants her husband to know about women, etc. Beth has been busier than every trying to keep up with 4 children and a ministry of hospitality through our home.

• Mark & Linda Thomas
  Linda has been enjoying good health for nearly a year. The weekly routine of Sunday School, Ladies' Bible Study, Children's Creative Sewing and Youth Club (ages 11-14) keep her fairly busy in the community. I would never have dreamed that I would be going around the world at the beginning of 1988 and round again at the end. To see the Torchbearer work in Indonesia, Japan, Australia and New Zealand was a privilege and a joy, and yet to see those lands, especially the big cities, with so many young people, the majority `without God and without hope' is hard on the heart. The joy of the larger family at Capernwray surrounds the challenge involved in the daily responsibilities that must be fulfilled as the Lord Jesus Christ is given His rightful place.

• Pam & Fred Tuggy
  Since Jan., repairs have been done on 100 more cars that during all of 1987. Fred is gladly anticipating help of one or more short-term volunteers to help catch up. I'm working 2 hrs. a week in Childcare as needed and able. My priorities now are keeping myself as well as possible and using my bits on energy for important things: time for the family, church, sometimes friends, school events, and hopefully meals and housework. Being able to sew, make more than a simple meal or attend a ladies' retreat-those are special bonuses.

• Marlita & Bill Walker
  We need prayer for specific guidance by April concerning our next ministry and adjustment for our kids.

• Deb & Paul Haken
  Paul's pilot license was renewed and their have been other encouraging events in the aviation department recently. There is an influx of new linguistic people coming to Cameroon and it is always exciting to see new workers ready and enthusiastic to be used in this harvest field. At the last Branch conference it was decided to begin SIL's own secondary school. This is a big project and there is much to be done before the school opens in 1991. We have taken on the responsibility of organizing a youth group for the 10 SIL kids now in junior high so that they can have a regular Bible study and fun time together.

• Doris & Neil Wolfe
  On Sept. 6, a 3-year contract was signed with the National Indian Foundation, a government agency overseeing all work with Brazil's Indians. This should greatly expedite the renewal of visas and issuance of new visas for those waiting in the States. We are confident that our temporary visas will be renewed as requested in June and that next July we'll be eligible to apply for permanent resident status. Andy is in 9th grade and Elaina in 5th. I was asked to head up the Literature Production Department. I am still doing artwork and layout for literacy booklets in various Indian languages but have a few additional responsibilities as well.