NTM

In our last update we mentioned that Karen had continuing bouts with fatigue.  Though there seems to be an overall improvement with fewer and fewer bad days she is still not her normal self.

One of the positive things about spending our almost two months in town is being able to see the missionary doctor.  He’s been helping Karen with blood tests and thyroid tests as well as helping with our girls who had been sick.
Today, our daughter Ashlynn was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cerebral malaria!
This was after only three weeks of having had the same thing.  We praise God for His timing and having help when we need it.  Ashlynn is already on malaria treatment and now seems to be doing better.

We had set our date to return interior for March 19th.  After reassessing Karen’s progress it became apparent that this date was too soon and that it would probably be best to plan on not returning to the Moi until after our NTM field fellowship at the beginning of June.  This seemed like the better thing to do after having already set three return dates and disappointingly not being able to fulfill them.

After making the decision to not return to the tribe until after the field fellowship I sought the counsel of our sending church in Wisconsin along with our field leadership as to whether or not it would be a good idea to return to the States for some R&R with family.  After much prayer and guidance it seemed like this could be a good thing; a way for Karen to recover fully and not have the pressure of ‘trying’ to get better.  We leave back for the States on March 21, 2007.

Unlike our normal home assignments or furloughs we feel that the only way for this to really work for our family is that we would just focus on spending time with our families and home churches in both Wisconsin and Ohio and not to try and travel visiting friends and supporters.  We would so much like to do so, but keeping with our goal of seeing Karen recover so we can return as soon as possible, it seems like the best thing would be for us to not to try and fulfill speaking/traveling/visiting opportunities, but rather just make the most of the short two months home with our family.

We know that so many of you have been faithfully praying for us and the Moi.
Our hearts truly long to be back "home", but God has other plans for us at this point.  With only three more months of official language/culture study left for me and the soon return of our coworkers, the Crockett’s, from their furlough, we have had much planned to get done.  Yet, we find ourselves in a situation where we must wait on the Lord and continue to trust Him.  We have often encouraged ourselves with the promise "Upon this rock (Jesus) I will build my church."  He’s promised to build His church, and though I believe the Moi work is facing the attacks of the enemy, we serve the Victor.  

Please pray for our coworkers, Panambunan’s, as they continue to minister among the Moi.  They have been battling continued sickness themselves and are treating the Moi who have continued to be sick and for some even die from the malaria sweeping the area.  The Moi and our coworkers have been experiencing the same type of thing.  Our coworkers, the Voskamp’s, are continuing to stay in our house and work on finishing up the airstrip.  They have been such a blessing to our team and great company for the Panambunan’s though; they too have been battling sickness.  Please continue to uphold them also, in your prayers.

Finally, let me close with this truth…"What shall we then say to these things?  If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

No sacrifice is too great,
Rich and Karen Brown
Atalee, Alyssa and AshlynnDear Friends and Family,

In our last update we mentioned that Karen had continuing bouts with fatigue. Though there seems to be an overall improvement with fewer and fewer bad days she is still not her normal self.

One of the positive things about spending our almost two months in town is being able to see the missionary doctor. He’s been helping Karen with blood tests and thyroid tests as well as helping with our girls who had been sick.
Today, our daughter Ashlynn was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cerebral malaria!
This was after only three weeks of having had the same thing. We praise God for His timing and having help when we need it. Ashlynn is already on malaria treatment and now seems to be doing better.

We had set our date to return interior for March 19th. After reassessing Karen’s progress it became apparent that this date was too soon and that it would probably be best to plan on not returning to the Moi until after our NTM field fellowship at the beginning of June. This seemed like the better thing to do after having already set three return dates and disappointingly not being able to fulfill them.

After making the decision to not return to the tribe until after the field fellowship I sought the counsel of our sending church in Wisconsin along with our field leadership as to whether or not it would be a good idea to return to the States for some R&R with family. After much prayer and guidance it seemed like this could be a good thing; a way for Karen to recover fully and not have the pressure of ‘trying’ to get better. We leave back for the States on March 21, 2007.

Unlike our normal home assignments or furloughs we feel that the only way for this to really work for our family is that we would just focus on spending time with our families and home churches in both Wisconsin and Ohio and not to try and travel visiting friends and supporters. We would so much like to do so, but keeping with our goal of seeing Karen recover so we can return as soon as possible, it seems like the best thing would be for us to not to try and fulfill speaking/traveling/visiting opportunities, but rather just make the most of the short two months home with our family.

We know that so many of you have been faithfully praying for us and the Moi.
Our hearts truly long to be back "home", but God has other plans for us at this point. With only three more months of official language/culture study left for me and the soon return of our coworkers, the Crockett’s, from their furlough, we have had much planned to get done. Yet, we find ourselves in a situation where we must wait on the Lord and continue to trust Him. We have often encouraged ourselves with the promise "Upon this rock (Jesus) I will build my church." He’s promised to build His church, and though I believe the Moi work is facing the attacks of the enemy, we serve the Victor.

Please pray for our coworkers, Panambunan’s, as they continue to minister among the Moi. They have been battling continued sickness themselves and are treating the Moi who have continued to be sick and for some even die from the malaria sweeping the area. The Moi and our coworkers have been experiencing the same type of thing. Our coworkers, the Voskamp’s, are continuing to stay in our house and work on finishing up the airstrip. They have been such a blessing to our team and great company for the Panambunan’s though; they too have been battling sickness. Please continue to uphold them also, in your prayers.

Finally, let me close with this truth…"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31