Prayer List

It is our policy not to post addresses on the web. For address information, you can contact Bill Bryan by email blb29@shawneelink.net

May 22, 2010

1.) There were no new prayer requests from Home Office this week.

May 15, 2010

1.) Arlan WeightNew Request, May 10, 2010

From Herb Teitgen, pastor, Fargo/Bismarck, ND; Winnipeg, MB:

Your prayers are requested for Arlan Weight, who attends the Bismarck, North Dakota, congregation. He found out a little over a month ago that he has cancer of the pancreas and there is nothing the Oncologists could do in utilizing chemo or radiation therapies for treating the cancer. He has attempted to utilize an alternative treatment at a clinic, but the nausea and severe pain prevented even using that option. He has to be on a morphine drip to control the pain levels. He is now in a care facility close to home. Please pray for God’s miraculous healing according to His will and for mercifully minimizing the pain. His wife Gladys is there to be with him much of the day.

May 8, 2010

1.) Ethan Erhart, Date Received: May 6, 2010

Request Type:,New Request

From Roger West, pastor, Bentonville/Fort Smith/Mena, AR.:

Prayers are requested for Ethan Erhart, seven-month-old son of Scott and Vicki Erhart, of the Fort Smith, Arkansas congregation. Ethan was taken to Little Rock for an appointment with the head of the Genetics Department. Dr. Schaefer was the chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics and published a paper instructing doctors in caring for children with Neurofibromatosis. The doctor and his team are about 95% sure that Ethan does have Neurofibromatosis 1. There is a genetic test which will give a definitive answer, but after two failed attempts to draw blood, Scott and Vicki decided to try again during a later visit. However, the doctor is operating under the assumption that he is positive for NF1.

The disorder is a progressive condition, and symptoms may occur more or worsen as he ages. The severity varies widely and it is unknown what problems he will or will not have as time goes on. Some problems to watch for are bone malformations and thinning; tumors on the skin, eyes, optic nerves, or internal organs which could become malignant; increased risk for Leukemia and other cancers, learning disabilities, mental retardation, reduced stature and intelligence; general difficulties with coordination and walking; and many other issues.

Doctors cannot do anything for NF except try to treat symptoms as they appear. We do know that God can control this if He chooses, so we would appreciate everyone remembering Ethan in their prayers.

May 1, 2010

1.) Maxine Neff

New Request, April 23, 2010

From Larry Neff, pastor, Denver/Loveland/Colorado Springs, CO:

Prayers are requested for Maxine Neff. Some of you have been made aware of my mother’s liver cancer, which metastasized from the previous breast cancer. I wanted to update all of you on behalf of my father and the rest of the family. Mom is declining very quickly and is in the latter stages of this dreadful disease. She is pretty much bedfast and sleeps most of the time, eating very little. My brother is there now, and my wife, Linda, our two daughters and I are leaving soon to head to Big Sandy. Hospice was called in late last week and they are a big help. Mom is not really able to visit and Dad is rather exhausted physically and emotionally. He and all of us have been very appreciative of the prayers, cards, messages, and concern expressed by so many of you.

My mother is 86 and has been healed quite miraculously in the past, including the sparing of her life in 1962 when she was only 38. We would be delighted if God chose to heal her again, but if it is not God’s will to do so this time we understand and accept that and are grateful for nearly half a century of extra time we have had with her. Your continued prayers for her and Dad’s comfort would be greatly appreciated.

2.) Ruth Smith New Request, April 23, 2010

From Ed Dowd, pastor, Wichita/Salina/Meade, KS:

Dwayne and Ruth Smith, from the Wichita, Kansas, congregation, request your prayers for Ruth who battles constant severe asthma and other lung and heart issues. Ruth has extreme difficulty in breathing; the doctors tell her that the lungs simply aren’t taking in enough oxygen. Ruth gets easily out of breath from simply walking from the living room to the kitchen, or even from just talking. She is unable to take deep, or even normal, breaths, and is limited to very shallow breathing. Her health has severely worsened since January and the doctors this week have put her on oxygen that she’ll need to carry with her whenever she walks and when she sleeps each night. These issues that Ruth battles will go on unless God intervenes and she said that it "is now up to God." Ruth requests your prayers for relief from the strained breathing, for easier breathing, and for overall comfort from these issues.1405 E Denker St, Wichita, KS 67216

3.) Maxine Neff, Update, April 25, 2010

From Larry Neff, pastor, Denver/Loveland/Colorado Springs, CO:

Just talked to Dad (Leroy Neff) and we wanted to let you know that my mom died last night at the hospice facility in Tyler. She had only been taken there yesterday afternoon. Dad and I were spending the night in the room and the nurse came in a few hours after we went to bed and found her. Dad was somewhat relieved virtually immediately. Mom hasn’t had any quality of life the last few years and she was suffering quite a lot as far as we could discern. God answered our prayers that her suffering not be extended. The prognosis kept being shortened, from 6 weeks to 2 weeks to a few days (and that was about mid-day yesterday).

I believe Dad is going to be okay but will miss her and be lonely, of course. When they took Mom in the ambulance yesterday we were all very sad, realizing that she would probably not be coming back to this home of 14 years. Dad is doing reasonably well under the circumstances and felt relief in many respects, even right after Mom died. We all greatly appreciate everyone’s prayers and all the concern expressed.

Croley Funeral Home, 401 N. Center St., Gladewater, TX 75647 is taking care of the arrangements. The service will be Tuesday, April 27, at 11 a.m. at Gladewater Memorial Park on Hwy. 80 approximately halfway between Gladewater and Big Sandy. It will be a graveside service with Mr. Les McCullough officiating.

4.) Neil and Carolyn Blomberg, Update, April 30, 2010

From Gary Black, pastor, St. Paul, MN; Eau Claire, WI:

Neil and Carolyn Blomberg would like to thank all brethren around the world for the cards, e-mails, and most of all, the prayers on their behalf. Neil spent six weeks in the hospital and two rehab centers. He came home for four days and had to return to the hospital because of labored breathing. He was diagnosed with Pneumonia. He is now doing much better, but still needs continued prayer, especially for the dizziness. Carolyn is also asking for prayers for a non-cancerous epidermoid cyst on her forehead that developed two weeks ago. She was on antibiotics and there is improvement. 4227 Oakmede Ln Saint Paul, MN 55110-7610 carolynblomberg@msn.com

5.) Pete McNair, Update, April 30, 2010

From Gary Black, pastor, St. Paul, MN; Eau Claire, WI:

Following surgery on April 23 to remove a brain tumor, Pete McNair is now at home and recuperating well. The surgery itself went well. The surgeon was pleased that he got out the entire tumor without complications. However, after the operation Pete exhibited left-side muscle weakness, including the left side of his face and mouth, which makes speech difficult and slurred. Eating and drinking is also a chore. There was some improvement over the weekend. This isn’t expected to be permanent; it should improve by itself over time. After the last 2006 surgery, Pete had numbness and tingling on his left hand and foot that lasted about three months (albeit no strength deficit). In fact, his entire tongue was numb and he had no sense of taste for about a week. The left side muscle weakness is not unusual, and can come from both post-op swelling and from the functional mapping process. In the functional mapping process, they basically put electrical probes on motor strip areas and shock them to map out where they are so they can avoid cutting into them. They were very pleased with those results. But those areas may respond to those shocks by shutting down temporarily. Pain is minimal. Pete’s discharge instructions are no lifting anything over 10 pounds (that’s about a gallon of milk) for six weeks (until June 11). Pete is doing well, and feeling upbeat; he just tires easily. The talking problem is discouraging, but he’s pretty confident it will be temporary and improve over the next month. He’s just having to be patient. Pete and his wife, Miquelyn, very much appreciate all the prayers and cards. They have been very encouraging and inspiring.

6. From Joel Meeker, regional coordinator, French-speaking areas:

Our brethren in Togo would like to thank you all for your prayers concerning the church building in the capital city of Lomé. We have just received some very encouraging news. Last Sabbath four civil engineers came to the hall while the church was meeting. They asked to see our elder, Mr. Fiaboé, and made official measurements in his presence. After making the measurements they stated that only part of the church property would have to be taken for the new road and that the church building itself would not have to be destroyed. It appears we will lose some wall and an exterior stairway leading to the roof. If the engineers and construction crews respect the marking stakes that were placed by the engineers, then the building will be saved. We will continue to follow this process closely, since such commitments are not always respected in this part of the world. We will continue to update you and would appreciate your continued prayers for complete deliverance from this threat. We have no news concerning the Ogoudélé family’s house in Cotonou, Bénin, and will update you as soon as we receive any.