2007 May » Jarretts Ministry

Thu 24 May 2007

Prayer update from the Jarretts

Posted by paulejr under Uncategorized
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Dear Friends and Family:

Thanks for praying for Marty, our family, and the situation at Tenwek. I’d like to update you on God’s answers to your prayers.

Today, Marty drove the car for the first time since the end of November and did well. Every year for the last eight years, she has not driven a car for six months while we are at Tenwek but, on our return, slips behind the wheel without thinking too much about it. This time she had the additional handicap of numbness in her feet in addition to weakness and general rustiness.

Our visit to Dr. Lee two weeks ago went very well. He was pleased with Marty’s progress and assisted us in some major areas. Now that the chemotherapy is finished, he recommended taking out the port access while doing the breast biopsy.

Marty did well with her procedures last Friday. First, she had the ultrasound where they placed small wires in the tumor site to help the surgeon delineate it [since it couldn't be felt]. Then we went over to the outpatient surgery area of St. Vincent Hospital. Under local anesthesia and sedation, Dr. Tigges took out the “ping pong ball” size area as well as the port from the opposite side. For good measure, he removed a little cyst from the tip of Marty’s ear which was fairly new and painful.

While we were checking in for surgery, Dr. Lee’s office called to tell us the results of the CA2729 antigen test drawn three days before. The previous month, the level was 134; this week, it was 62. [!] That’s another big [>50%] drop, which means the Femara [hormone] drug she is taking each day is also very effective. We were seeing less than 30% reductions with the chemotherapy each treatment and less than that on the final treatment, so this is a very exciting result. Keep in mind, the first level was over 5,000 and normal is between 0 and 38.
Today, the pathology report from the biopsy showed there was still some cancer at the primary site in the left breast, although the size was half of what it had been. The â€œmarginsâ€ around the tumor were clear meaning there shouldn’t be any cancer left in that area.

I would interpret the results to indicate that some cancer probably remains in the liver area but is not growing. The Femara drug is attacking it as well as keeping it from growing. The best way that we will have to follow the presence of the cancer is with the CA2729 levels; the next one will be drawn in two months. The next round of scans will be in five months.

At the present time, the side effect of neuropathy, pain and numbness in Marty’s legs and hands, continues to be our biggest challenge along with some roadblocks set up by the insurance company. We’ve gotten the pain patch down to a 25 mcg patch every 48 hours [from a high of 75 to 100 mcg]. Dr. Lee also helped us by recommending the â€œbrand nameâ€ pain patches rather than the generic equivalent. Because the generic patch doesn’t last the full 72 hours [which is less than the quality standards of generic manufacturing], we run out before the date when the insurance company is willing to pay for another prescription; they also won’t pay for the name brand where a generic is available which saves them a lot of money.

God answered our prayers on this issue as well. Dr. Lee informed the insurance company of the need for the brand name patch, and they were willing to pay for their portion of it based on his recommendation.

Our daughter, Amy, arrived safely in Japan for her short-term mission trip, although not without some confusion; her flight couldn’t land in Tokyo due to severe weather, so they diverted to another airport where they refueled and took off again. The two-hour delay caused her to miss her flight to Sapporo leaving from a third airport, but the bus transfer company and American Airlines helped her make arrangements to get a later flight and a bus transfer. The greeting party at Sapporo was given wrong information about her flight change but was still waiting for her when she arrived.

Laura and Amy have had a good time of ministry together in Japan. The church has had several people profess faith in Christ during recent weeks. Amy will return on June 1, so please pray again for travel safety. At the time she leaves Japan, the date will still be May 31st in Indianapolis.

Amy also received good news from the State of Indiana in response to your prayers regarding her student aid for college next year. They ruled favorably on our appeal of missing the filing deadline because of Marty’s illness. She will be placed in the same pool of other applicants meaning she should receive some assistance. She decided to register for a full load of summer school classes which isn’t covered by financial aid, but she should graduate in December of this year. God provided tuition money for summer school through the generosity of a Christian family.

We still have not heard God’s final answer on tuition funds for our orphans. There are several factors at work, not the least of which is the low exchange rate of the US dollar. Presently, we are getting only 65 Kenya Shillings instead of 70 to 75, which is the rate we have gotten for the past five years. That means $1,000 USD will buy only 65,000 instead of 75,000 KSh. That amount would cover quite a bit of tuition.

Even though the number of students from outside the orphanages who are being assisted has not increased substantially this year, the program has expanded due to the maturation of the children in the orphan homes. As the children in residence get older, the number requiring assistance will likely increase.
Another factor is a shortfall of funds in January for the heavily-weighted first of three installments. We will need to send $8,270 to meet the cumulative need for the second installment currently due. So far we have $3,474 to send after June 1st, so we’re asking God to provide the additional $4,796 through His people.

Pastor Kilel asked us to pray for an orphan girl named Joyce who was chased away by her grandmother because she had nothing to provide for her. She has no where to go and left the school because the fees weren’t paid. He reported several other situations of heartbreaking needs.
Please continue to ask God to provide for the needs of these children so that He will receive the glory.

AGC Tenwek Area Education Fund [sending orphans to school] contributions: Checks payable to and send to: Christian Foundation of Indiana, 8445 Keystone Crossing Blvd, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Indicate for Tenwek on a separate piece of paper. Any checks received after June 1, 2007, will be returned to the donor. In a separate letter, I will update the address of the new organization that will assist us in sending funds after that date.
Dr. Russ White continues to need prayer for complete healing. Here is a note written on Sunday, May 20: â€œThis is Russ writing a quick update on my medical situation. In general, I feel much better than I did in the last several weeks. I am up and around and trying to increase my activity daily. The fourth spinal tap on Thursday has still left a few unanswered questions. There are some concerns about whether there is any underlying issue which led to my contracting meningitis. However, I feel I am improving every day. There are still a few odd neurological symptoms which are lessening every day. So in general, we are hoping, praying, and expecting that I will simply continue to improve back to normal. I am going to try to ease back into work this week with some teaching and endoscopy. I am trying to be an obedient patient and follow doctors’ orders.
The other surgical staff have been extremely supportive of all my time away from work. I want to try to get back to working together with them while doing what is best for my long term health. There are a lot of exciting things happening in the department of surgery, and also a fair number of problems that need to be addressed fairly urgently. I am trusting the Lord to give guidance as I try to begin getting back into normal life (whatever that is!!).
Please continue to pray for strength, grace, and wisdom for Beth and the kids.â€
Paul writing:
As you can see, your prayers have been very effective and I want to report the answers to you as I recognize them. God is always faithful to answer our prayers even if I miss passing along how He has acted.
Serving Jesus with you,
Paul, for the Jarretts

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Sun 13 May 2007

Pray for Amy Jarrett’s trip to Japan on Monday

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Dear Friends and Family:
An oversight in the last letter was a request for travel mercy and effective ministry for Amy in Japan. She leaves Monday morning at 7:15. She changes planes in Dallas and leaves for Tokyo at 11:10 a.m. Indy time. After the long, 13-hour trans-Pacific flight, she leaves for Sapporo at 4 a.m. Indy time. She’ll minister for the next two and a half weeks through the local church [Grace Church of Sapporo] where Laura is serving as an intern. Thanks for your prayers.
Paul, for the Jarretts

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Sat 12 May 2007

Prayer update from the Jarretts

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Dear Friends and Family:

Thanks for your prayers for Marty this week. Today, we received a copy of the results of the MRI Marty had on her leg on Monday, and I’m happy to report everything appears to be okay. The radiologist believes the â€œnoiseâ€ he saw near Marty’s left knee on the bone scan is simply the bone marrow working hard to produce red blood cells rather than a focus of cancer.

We will visit Dr. Lee on Tuesday afternoon this week; I expect some more blood tests will be done and prescriptions renewed. On Friday, May 18, Dr. Tigges will remove the original site of cancer in the left breastâ€”a â€œlumpectomy.â€ We are seeking wisdom regarding removing the â€œportâ€ buried beneath the skin outside the ribcage where it enters her right subclavian vein; conceivably, the port could be removed during this surgery. This was placed the first week of January to facilitate blood draws and chemotherapy. If it’s left in place for future use, we must have it flushed with heparin once a month as long as it’s there. What does God want us to do about this?

Marty is slowly regaining some strength. She is able to be up for longer periods of time before taking a â€œtime outâ€ for a few hours to rest. The numbness in her hands and feet is unchanged; nerves regenerate very slowly. Those of you who know and love her smile will be encouraged to learn that it now shows up every day after a brief, intermittent absence for a few months.

We are encouraged by the reports on Dr. Russ White. Here is a letter written by him with a post script from Beth:
I thought it was time for me personally to bring you a brief update. The last two weeks have been a bit of a physical, emotional, spiritual roller coaster. Beth has given many of medical details in her previous emails. I generally continue to improve, but on a much slower course than I would have hoped for. As Beth described, I had an initial rapid improvement in symptoms when the meningitis was diagnosed, but then had a gradual recurrence of problems. Sunday was truly one of the worst days of my remembrance. I felt like I was losing my mind with severe headache, fever, vomiting, hallucinations, and the worst dizziness I have ever experienced. I really started to question whether I would survive this illness. Since then, there has been a steady improvement. I am out of bed part of the day, but still not up to near full activity. This is also complicated by the series of IV infusions going on every day for the multiple medications I am receiving. A third spinal tap yesterday revealed some confusing results, so the jury is not fully in on all that is going on. I will likely be flown to Nairobi within the next few days for an MRI scan to get a direct look at my brain (or what is left of it!!) and spinal cord.
Throughout all of this, I am sure that the Lord is in controlâ€”none of this has taken Him by surprise. It really seems that God is speaking to us through this rather difficult time. I am not sure yet all the lessons God has for me. But so far I can attest that He is at least clearing away all vestiges of self-sufficiency, and forcing me to depend upon Him alone.
On Sunday, as I lay in a bed swimming in dizziness, I felt that God was emptying me of myself, so that I might see Him only. Further, He is clearly teaching patienceâ€”just not fast enough for my tastes! I had intended to be back to full time work long before this. I am not good at long, drawn out recoveries. As a surgeon, I keep trying to find something in me that I could cut out and be done with. Again, learning to trust God’s timing is a part of the process.
Please keep Beth and the kids in your prayers. Beth is a pillar of strength in difficult times, but it is taxing her also. The kids’ lives are fairly disjointed through this time as Beth tries her best to keep things on an even keel with school, etc. for them. As a family, we very much look forward to the growth God will bring out of this time of difficulty.
A hymn which has come to be a great comfort in these days is below:
Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still my soul: Thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Thro thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

I am sorry if I have rambled a bit. My thoughts are still a bit loose. However, I am convinced that the Lord is firmly in control! Will write more as the fog clears.
In His Service,
Russ White

Another p.s. from Beth: Russ and I flew to Nairobi today for him to have an MRI of his brain to make sure there is no swelling, abscess, encephalitis, etc. The scan showed a normal brain with none of the above! We praise God for good flights, good news, and continued progress!
Paul again:
I anticipate a report from David Kilel this week on the orphans’ situation. I know we were short of our goal for school fees for May, but he promised to inform me of the amount of the shortfall and its impact, which I will pass along to you. Please continue to pray for God’s provision for each of these precious children. Please continue to send all contributions to the Christian Foundation until the end of this month at which time I will update the address information for Outreach Christian Fellowship.
Dr. Bryan Myers [OBGYN] and his wife, Jane, are now traveling to Tenwek for two weeks. I’m looking forward to his assessment of things in the OB department. Please pray for his time of ministry there.
Thanks so much for praying with us for these requests. We look forward to God’s answers.
Serving Jesus with you,
Paul, for the Jarretts
AGC Tenwek Area Education Fund [sending orphans to school] contributions: Checks payable to and send to: Christian Foundation of Indiana, 8445 Keystone Crossing Blvd, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Indicate for Tenwek on a separate piece of paper.

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Wed 9 May 2007

Russ White improving

Posted by paulejr under Uncategorized
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This report just came from Beth White:

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

I am happy to report that after a rough several days with bacterial meningitis, Russ is showing gradual signs of improvement. Thank you to all who have prayed, inquired, and written notes. We appreciate your praying faithfully and waiting patiently for news. It’s been hard to find time and energy to write with all that has been going on, and it has been difficult to know what to write sometimes as Russ simply continued to struggle and need your prayers.

As I’ve read your letters of encouragement, I am delighted to hear from each one of you and humbled to accept your expressions of love and concern. I often compose replies in my mind, but I know that I will never get to write each one. Please know that your words have achieved their loving intent. More than that, please know that we truly believe that God has answered the prayers of many and will continue. Though we’ve had many questions about how and where to treat this, what different symptoms mean, etc., we have never had to doubt that God is loving and faithful in all His intentions toward us. We know that His ways are good, even when we do not understand or like what is going on.

For those of you who like details, I’ll try to briefly recount the last week. When I last wrote, Russ was doing so much better on Wednesday than earlier, but had a rougher Thursday. On Friday he felt increasingly tired, cloudy, and eventually dizzy. Dr. Manchester came to see him and did another LP. He was feverish and vomited several times, had some phenergan and i.v. fluid and meds, and slept. He got worse over Saturday and Sunday with extreme dizziness, headache, vomiting, discomfort, and he was very discouraged. They changed and added several drugs and fluids, which helped him to feel a little better by Monday morning. He still is not tolerating too much light, sound, or sitting up for more than 30 minutes, but he has made very slow, but steady progress since then. He has been professionally and lovingly cared for by our doctors, nurses, neighbors, and friends, as have the rest of the family and I. We have considered other options if there are setbacks, but the doctors and nurses are evaluating him many times daily and are convinced that Russ is on a good course and improving.

Please pray that Russ will continue to recover without complication. Pray that God will guard his heart and mind from anxiety. Russ says he feels like the Lord is speaking to him through this. Please pray that he will keep his heart open to what the Lord is saying. Pray, too, that God will teach him to patiently wait on God and on the healing process. Also, please pray that there would be no swelling of the brain and that all the inflammation of the brain covering would settle down.

This has been a difficult time for the kids, as I have been very involved with caring for Russ and all sorts of details. Please pray that God will encourage and strengthen them through this. We feel that this is drawing our family together, and are glad for such a blessing in trouble.

Also, please pray for the surgical department. There are things happening that Russ feels like he should be in the middle of but can’t, and he feels badly that they are having to take on his responsibilities.

THANK YOU for upholding us!

In Christ Alone,

Beth

â€œBut I trust in you, O Lord;

I say, â€˜Your are my God.’

My times are in your hands. . .â€

Psalm 31:14-15a

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Mon 7 May 2007

Updated prayer request for Russ White

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Dear Friends and Family:
I am forwarding this message from World Gospel Mission’s Field Headquarters to focus prayer for this issue:

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

RUSS WHITE’S medical condition is still a bit uncertain. Beth reported that
he is much improved with new meds and certainly the help of the Lord. They
are confident he is getting very good care at Tenwek. However, due to the
seriousness of the meningitis, they are wondering if he should seek other
evaluation outside the country where there would be more specialists and
equipment that could detect potential complications. Included in this
decision is if he would be allowed to travel by commercial airline (much
cheaper) and any immigration restrictions. Please pray for his continued
improvement, and for wisdom for Russ & Beth to know if they should pursue
traveling outside the country.

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Sun 6 May 2007

An even more recent update on Russ White

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Thanks for continuing to pray for Russ; here’s an update that came in just after I sent the last one:
It’s 3:15 pm here. Russ has had a terrible morning. He feels a lot
worse–extreme dizziness, headache, vomiting, discomfort, anxiety,
teary and very discouraged. They’ve changed and added several drugs
and fluids and gave him Phenergan about 45 min. ago, so he is finally
sleeping. I’ll let you know med details if you want them.

Remember that we are in good hands and that we feel the peace of
Christ’s Spirit in us.

Much love,

Beth

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Sun 6 May 2007

Russ White update and prayer request for Becki Burke

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Dear Friends and Family:
Please remember our daughter, Becki Burke, in prayer: She has symptoms of a kidney stone.
Russ White seems to be holding steady in the course of his recovery. Here is a Sunday update from Beth White:
Hi Family,

Russ had an okay night and feels about the same today. The good news is that we’re realizing that he has gotten worse after seeming so much better is probably because he was on a high dose of steroids for the first several days. They probably masked his symptoms, which are now very evident. It’s encouraging to think that may be the reason. His weakness, diziness, and difficulty/headache when sitting or standing are likely due to his LP (spinal tap).

The kids all went up to church. They even took Anna along. I’m glad for a little quiet, though the nurse is coming back soon to change his IV.

I’m thankful for God’s mercies, which are new every morning.

We’ll keep you posted.

Much love,

Beth

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh . . .

For it is all for your sake , so that as grace extends to more and more people it may incresae thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 16-18

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Fri 4 May 2007

Please continue to pray for Russ White

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Friday, May 04, 2007
This e-mail came from Tenwek today; they are 7 hours ahead of us. Please pray for Russ; his condition seems to continue to be somewhat precarious. Russ is a healthy, athletic individual in the vicinity of 40-years of age, yet he has had two bouts of very serious illness [life threatening] in the past four years — first with food poisoning and now meningitis; malaria has occasionally been a problem as well. Following is a letter sent from the Whites to their praying partners. Please join them in prayer.
Paul

Dear Friends,

We want to give you an update on a medical situation which has risen with Russ again. He started feeling ill last week, and it seemed pretty clearly to be malaria. He was treated and seemed to be improving over the weekend. However, Sunday night, he awoke with a very high fever, very severe headache, and stiff neck. On Monday morning he had a spinal tap which has confirmed that Russ has meningitis. >From the lab work, this appears most likely to be bacterial meningitis, which is generally more severe and dangerous than viral meningitis. Russ was started immediately on IV antibiotics and steroids to try to reduce swelling in the spine and brain coverings. Russ is awake and alert (most of the time!). Monday and Tuesday he was having a little difficulty concentrating and with memory, but things seemed to improve rapidly on medications. Once again, our bedroom is the ICU, with a very dedicated group of doctors and nurses from the hospital coming several times per day to administer drugs and check on Russ. He now has a central IV line inserted in his arm and going up to his chest for infusion of drugs. Yesterday he seemed to be much improved, but had a mild relapse last night with recurrence of a milder headache and lower fevers. His spirits are generally good, but frustrated that with so much work to be done at the hospital, he is stuck at home in bed. However, it seems that the Lord is using this time to speak to our whole family about trusting and resting in the Lord.

Bacterial meningitis can be a very bad disease, with life-long neurologic complications. However, it really seems that Russ is improving with none of these side effects. Please pray for his continued healing, for wisdom for the doctors and nurses making decisions about his care, and for the whole family as Beth tries to keep a house (home-schooling, etc.) going through all this. We know that this does not come as a surprise to our Lord, and that the great physician will lovingly care for Russ!!

We have many other things to update you about, and will try to do so in the near future!!

In His Service,

The White Family

Tenwek Hospital

p.s. Russ wrote this yesterday when he was feeling better (we’ve had trouble with our email server since last night). However, he has been feeling increasingly worse throughout today and into this evening. Doctors are conferring and keeping on top of this, and between that and the prayers of many, we are in the Good Hands of our Father. Gratefully, Beth

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Wed 2 May 2007

Ministry update for May 2, 2007

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Dear Friends and Family:
Thank you so much for your prayers. Marty is feeling a little better each day; her appetite is improvedâ€”I tell her she’s finally eating enough to keep a bird alive. Apparently, it will take quite awhile to recover from the numbness in her feet and hands; she has very little feeling in her feet, even losing the â€œticklishnessâ€ she’s always had.
We’re in Akron, Ohio for the week visiting with Beth while her baseball team, the Harrisburg Senators, plays the local team, the Aeros. We’re just camped out in her hotel room, resting and looking for the next meal. The first game was rained out with a strong storm front that came through last night, which gave us extra time with Beth. We should see some baseball tonight.
We had a good visit with our son, Jon, and his family in Charlotte, NC last week. Again, we did a good deal of resting and reading without the normal â€œchoresâ€ around the house to do.
We finally got word that our wire transfer to Tenwek was successfulâ€”Praise the Lord! I’m waiting for an accounting from Pastor Kilel as to the status of the children’s school fees. I don’t believe we sent enough to cover it all. We will send at least one more wire transfer from the Christian Foundation before we shut down donations to that organization on June 1. In fact, it is advisable to send contributions to them this month since they don’t take a percentage out of the donations other than the cost of the wire transfers.
Arrangements with Outreach Christian Fellowship have been completed; we will be able to receive donations through their organization and forward them to Tenwek, but they will take 5% for administrative fees. This is a reasonable amount and better than most in the â€œindustryâ€; since they are a larger organization, they have a full-time employee who must be supported. I also expect that receipts for donations will arrive more quickly than what we have seen previously.
Therefore, if anyone has a donation they are planning on making, a higher percentage will reach the children if it is sent this month through the Christian Foundation. As before, there is no administrative fee on the Kenya end, other than some money for gasoline for Pastor Kilel as he visits the widely spread children’s homes and schools. The only salaries that are paid are those of the orphanage workers with money that has been specifically donated for that purpose.
Not all of the news from Tenwek is good. Russ White, our surgeon colleague, is very sick with bacterial spinal meningitis. We missed the initial report during our day of travel to Akron, but the next day’s report indicates he has had a good response to the antibiotic he is receiving. He has had a terrific headache and high fever.
You will recall that I had two mothers die from this disease last year while I was there, so it is a very serious condition. I believe the diagnosis for Russ was made earlier and treatment initiated sooner, but prayer for Russ and the rest of the White family would be greatly appreciated.
We know that God is in control of all things including all of our health concerns. We know that He loves us and has our best interests in mind at all times. We know that he loves the children and will use their extreme circumstances for good in their lives, but I believe He expects us to reflect His love towards those with whom He has placed us in contact so that He will be glorified. God has provided for all of our needs through His love and the generosity of His people. We are truly blessed to be part of His family.

Serving Jesus with you,

Paul, for the Jarretts in Ohio

AGC Tenwek Area Education Fund [sending orphans to school] contributions: Checks payable to and send to: Christian Foundation of Indiana, 8445 Keystone Crossing Blvd, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Indicate for Tenwek on a separate piece of paper. Do not write anything on the memo line of the check. All donations must be received by June 1, 2007, or they will be returned to the donor.
Information about donations through Outreach Christian Fellowship will follow at the end of the month.

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Jarretts Ministry

Archive for May, 2007

Prayer update from the Jarretts

Pray for Amy Jarrett’s trip to Japan on Monday

Prayer update from the Jarretts

Russ White improving

Updated prayer request for Russ White

An even more recent update on Russ White

Russ White update and prayer request for Becki Burke

Please continue to pray for Russ White

Ministry update for May 2, 2007

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