Thanksgiving!

God has been very good to me this past year and for that I give HIM thanks. Some recent/current things that I thank Him for are:

1. Jesus is my Savior and I know that He is coming back soon!
   
2. A hospital visitor did a total redesigning of the www.bongolohospital.org website and I have been able to keep it up!
   
3. Eric and Wendy Hofman (Ophthalmologist) arrived at Bongolo Hospital, sent by Samaritan's Purse. Just before I left Gabon, Eric was able to take over the Hospital Bookkeeping that I was doing!
   
4. I have had a good six month Home Assignment, mostly in Omaha!
   
5. In June I celebrated 5 years as an ovarian cancer survivor!
   
6. In August I celebrated my 60^th Birthday!
   
7. God has been with me and helped me as I have traveled and spoken in many churches these past months.
   
8. I have been relatively healthy since being in the States. The asthma flair up that I have had this past month is about over!
   
9. I was able to get an H1N1 flu vaccination at my Doctor's office last Friday!
   
10. I have been able to see many relatives this summer and fall, including some cousins I had never before met!
    
11. I leave for Gabon December 8^th, two weeks from today!
12. I have received my Entry Permit to Gabon (like a Visa)!
    
13. Although I will have to pay for the third piece, the Airlines will accept three suitcases when I fly!
    
14. My Nissan Patrol vehicle in Gabon is ready for my use!
    
15. The Lord is helping me get all the "things" done that need to get done before my flight date!
    
16. I get to celebrate with FOUR Thanksgiving meals, one last Sunday with cousins, one with ladies from Church on Monday and two on Thanksgiving Day ( Step Family and other cousins)! I like TURKEY!

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world."

Isaiah 12:4-5 (New International Version)

More Steuert Cousins!

Sunday I had a Thanksgiving meal with my first cousin Connie (Steuert) Redburn, two of her three sons, their wives and two of Connie's grandchildren and also a friend of Connie. I had not seen my Connie's children since they were very small, and of course, they did not remember me. Connie is the daughter of my "Uncle Mort", my Mom's late brother. It was fun getting to know her family! Here is their group photo:

Catching Up!

Just this Sunday I finished a two month fall Mission's tour speaking in Alliance Churches and sharing about my ministry and that of the Bongolo Hospital. In September I started out by attending the MidAmerican District Alliance Womens' conference that was held in Orange City, IA. From there I spoke in Colorado and Nebraskan churches, finishing up two days ago. I was blessed by meeting many praying friends in these eight churches.

Now with just three weeks left before leaving for Gabon, I am playing "catch up" here in Omaha. With last minute purchasing to do, thank you notes to write, boxes to be packed for UPS to Ohio where a container is being prepared for shipment to Gabon and the hospital, emails to write, etc, I am enjoying the time to do these things. I'm also going out to eat with friends, still doing some speaking and enjoying watching the TV series "The Biggest Loser".

My date to fly to Gabon is December 8^th. Pray that my entry permit (visa) be granted so that I can get on that plane. Thanks.

More to come….