Dave and Jill Simpson

Remarkable!

dave_simpson — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:43:36 +0000

     Remarkable was the word our endocrinologist used on Wednesday, August 12. He was reading my latest bloodwork test results. The test was only two weeks after I finished 37 external beam radiation treatments for thyroid cancer. The thyroglobulin level he was looking for was 2.0 or below. Mine was 1.7. I said, “Praise God!” The doctor said he’d take all the help he could get.
     So many people have been praying for me and our family that we cannot but help give thanks to God for what He is doing. In spite of this past year of health challanges God has enabled us through you our friends to assist nearly 30 people to find their place in missions. Most of them are already serving in Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Mexico, Bolivia, Guinea, and the U.S. Surely God is moved by the prayers of His people and is actively involved in seeing His fame spread to every tribe! Each person’s ministry directly supports tribal church planters.
     A verse God brought to me during this time is: Psalm 27:8 “The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all of my heart. He helps me and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving!” (NLT)

Next Step For Dave

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0000

April 15 is the big day for me. I’ll be having neck surgery to remove some lymph nodes and a nodule. Please pray for me and Jill and our family during this time. Thanks for checking in at our website and praying for healing.

Dave & Jill

Encouraged By Paperwork

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0000

As you prepare your tax forms at this time of year, the paperwork that is involved probably doesn’t create warm or pleasant emotions. One of the persons I am working with said she is encouraged by the paperwork NTM requires in our applicatioin process. She wrote, "I’m sure that’s a funny thing to say, but honestly, it gives me confidence that your organization really cares deeply about whether a person has the tools to be effective on the field and wants their people to be on the same page about education and key points of doctrine. I’m glad that if I’m really not the right person for this particular role in ministry, you’ll have a good chance to catch that before I show up."

This expressed exactly what we hope to accomplish in not only helping individuals find their place in ministry but to be sure they are ready. Jill and I enjoy being a part of a team to help people discern if NTM is a good fit for them and if they are ready to face the rigors of missionary life.

Please pray for us to have insight and wisdom as we communicate with people each day. Currently we are assisting 26 people who are serious about serving in the US or overseas in missions. Each of their ministries will directly support tribal church planting teams.

Please pray about my health as well. The last blood tests revealed persistent thyroid cancer. My energy level will be low when I stop all medication on February 23. I will be having tests in early March. Pray for wisdom and insight for the doctors and that they might find the source of the cancer. Please pray we will bring glory to our savior through this time.

New Year New Results

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0000

The new year began with more tests for Dave and the news has been encouraging. There was concern about spots on his liver that turned out to be benign. Another test will be scheduled in six months to keep an eye on it. Blood tests were taken this week and the results will be discussed with the doctor next week.

There were concerns that certain levels in Dave’s blood were too high showing active cancer. But the last blood tests showed the cancer declining. We learned this on Christmas Eve. An awesome Christmas gift from God! Please keep praying. This next blood test, if it is good, may mean Dave is in remission.

During these difficult economic times many of you have given sacrificially to our ministry. We are truly grateful to each of you for being a part of our team. Your gifts are making a difference in the lives of tribal people.

Round Two

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Tuesday I was given the go ahead to begin the next round of RAI (radioactive iodine) treatment. I began Thursday so I’m keeping confined to my bedroom and staying away from people. Julia made me this sign.

So far it has gone well. I’m experiencing a little nausea but other than that I’m very tired and sleeping a lot and catching up on my Bible reading, trying to find the energy to pray. When I spoke with the doctor during the administration of the pills he told me sometimes this treatment requires 4 or 5 doses to bring remission. Would you pray with us that the Lord would be pleased to bring healing with this second round? Thanks.

Recently we enjoyed the annual beach retreat in South Daytona. I’ve included a couple of snapshots from that. Jill and I enjoyed having all of the kids home for a short time and spending some time with our grandson Hayden.

Last Treatment? When?

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0000

"The results of your blood tests are boarderline. Wait one more week, have another blood test and we should be good to begin the treatment next week." This is the latest news I received from a nurse as I spoke with her just this morning. I had a blood test on Monday and the results have been sent to the radiology oncologist. Once my blood levels are at a sufficient point I’ll be called into the doctors office to begin what we are praying will be my final treatment.

Jill and I were both hoping that we would be able to begin the treatment this week but we know this is all in God’s perfect timing. Thanks for those who continue to pray for me. Would you continue to pray that the Lord will use this treatment to bring complete healing?

At this point it looks like I’ll be home in isolation receiving radioactive iodine treatment beginning October 16 or 17 for about three days.

The PET scan I mentioned on a previous posting also came back negative so no further surgery is required.

Goodbyes and Test Results

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0000

   Last week we said good-bye to our dear friends and co-workers for the last 5 years – Allan and Mandy. They did not receive their Green Cards from the US government. Jill and I drove them to the airport in the pouring rain of tropical storm Faye. We wish them well as they transition to a new ministry at NTM’s training center in England. We miss them but now have a good reason to visit England and the NTM training center one day.
    The biopsy results for the nodule in my neck came back negative last week. That was welcome news. Next is a PET scan tomorrow. If the PET scan shows something we will meet with a surgeon. If not, no surgery will be needed; either way I’ll be undergoing another RAI (radioactive iodine) treatment. This time I’ll be able to stay at home in isolation for 3-4 days rather than spending a night in the hospital.
     Please pray for healing and for coworkers. Jill and I will re-prioritize our work. Jill will begin working an extra day in the office. There are many needs for support workers on nearly every NTM field. Thanks for your friendship and prayers. Let us know how we can pray for you.

Praying For The Next Generation

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Please pray we would find ways to connect with the 20-30 something age group. Pray they will rise up to meet the biggest challange the church has – to see every generation has a chance to hear the good news about Jesus.

Pray our team at the Associate Program Office (Medium Term Missions) would be sensitive and have wisdom in how we can serve those who contact us wanting to find their place in missions.

What Would You Do In 48 Hours?

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

      Can you imagine living in a country where the nearest hosptial is 48 hours away? This is one of the issues I discussed with a couple this past month. The family has some complicated health issues and part of our ministry is to help them think those things through. This is why we depend so heavily on your prayers for wisdom and guidance as we help people evaluate ministry options.
     I read recently that missionaries serving in Africa are 6 times more likely to need support in the form of medical or emotional care compared to the average American. Living in a developing world country, especially in some of the isolated places where NTM missioanries work, can be challenging. For this reason NTM held a training seminar recently that Jill attended to help missionaries help one another. Jill was able to learn how to effectively debrief coworkers. She really enjoyed the training and we think she will be able to use this as we meet and mingle with missionaries here at the Home Office.
     I will be having the next battery of tests the week of July 14. Should those tests come back negative I will not need further treatment. Because these tests are in the middle of the summer we will not be taking our annual trip to NJ and PA this summer.
     Your prayers are also needed for a situation that developed here. We just learned our co-workers’ visas have been denied. Please pray that the U.S. governement would grant them permission to live and work here. They are checking into this and may appeal. If their visas are denied our dear friends and co-workers will return to England and we will be short staffed.