Homecoming Buzzard Bylines 1981

• Allan & Cindy Bosson
  We're settled into Texas life now. Allan is in his second semester at Southwestern Bapt. Theo. Sem. studying for a M. Div. specializing in counseling and church administration. He has a part-time job as a civil engineer which keeps him extra busy. I stay busy with the boys and typing Allan's papers. We are getting involved in a good church--sure miss full-time ministry but know God's plan is for us to be here now.

• Martha & Jorge Cuevas
  We've moved to Mexico June 4, 1980. God has blessed as Jorge started a cheese factory. Slowly God is bringing his Catholic [family?] to live here too, and our prayer is that we might win them to Christ. Pray for our witness before them and others. John Burton was born Feb. 4, 1981.

• Lorraine Evans
  I just finished my M. Ed. in Reading at Beaver College. God has been good to give me opportunities beyond my regular job to use my skills as a reading teacher. Presently I work on the side at Bethanna Home for Boys and Girls. This spring I'll have a reading clinic of my own at Community College for 2nd through 8th graders.

• Deb & Paul Haken
  Since the need for missionary airmen in Nigeria is dwindling and SIM has no need for pilots elsewhere, we applied to work with Wycliffe Bible Translators in their effort to get the written Word of God into the hands of the remote peoples of the earth. In June we will take a first step by moving to the JAARS Center, Waxhaw, NC for a year of work and training.

• Rhonda Hartell
  I'm finally going to have a partner to share the work--Cathie Jackson. We've been friends for a number of years and have kept in touch. She is to meet me in Abidjan the end of March where our branch is having a 2-week conference. Our initial work will be language learning in Lyele. She will have to adjust to the hot, dry climate and we will have to adjust to living together. Family illness may be hindering the return of my native translation helper, Christian Bayala, who left in Oct. Please pray.

• Armand & Jean LeBlanc
  Please pray for: 1) ability and patience in Swahili language study; 2) Peter's adjustment to school and a place for him in first grade (1982) as pupils outnumber places; 3) Jean and the new baby due around April 16; 4) continued good relations with our co-workers; 5) salvation of Omar, Mohammed, Athmad and Mtafa.

• Ed & Margaret Maehlmann
  It's been a year of varied experiences; some were thrilling and satisfying; others were difficult and not easy to understand. Through them all we learned God's loving purposes. In our SS class we're studying Warren Wiersbe's book Be Mature on James. The average attendance is 7. We can expect to be challenged and exhorted. We see evidence of progress in the youth group too. Several have improved attitudes, others are participating in serving the Lord. The attendance averages 12.

• Grady & Vicki Merritt
  While in Ankara, Turkey for ANG annual training last fall, Grady was unexpectedly laid off his job. The Lord is faithfully providing for us, and we need His wisdom as Grady continues to seek a full-time job. Olive-skinned, dark-haired Joel Robertson (1/23/81) is a delightful contrast to his blond, blue-eyed brothers. Benjamin is excelling in 1st grade and Vicki is church media library director.

• Glynis & David Miller
  Miriam Joy was born Mar. 16, 1980. In Sept. we'll be rejoicing with baby #2. Our work at Central is progressing although at times is discouraging. We're here for the Lord's time, seeking Him daily for His will to be done. Tracy, our foster daughter, decided to live with her mother and stepfather again, so moved back Feb. 13. Her home is still un-Christian and she's 'fallen in love' with a 22 yr. old unbeliever (she's 14) so we covet your prayers for her.

• Tricia & Dan Miller
  We arrived in CA on Mar. 1 headed for Elizabethton, TN where Dan will be taking helicopter training for that new phase of our work in the Philippines.

• Al & Daisy Ortiz
  It has been a different and difficult year to adjust my ministry to added administrative responsibilities, field liaison leadership, family needs and my desire to be involved in direct discipleship activities. Edwin has been accepted into paramedics at Miami-Dade Community College for this fall. Cindy graduates in June but lacks conviction as to the future.

• Dottie & Stan Smith
  We give much thanks to the Lord for sending Dustin Christopher our way on Oct. 6. HE took care of so many potential difficulties in Dustin's birth. Language study moves on "hinay-hinay basta kanunay"--slowly but surely. Do pray for us to understand Cebuano so we can share our living Lord.

• Jochen & Cheryl Stahl
  We are now in a village north of Stuttgart, 2 1/2 hrs. drive south of Frankfurt. The new job requires quite a few adjustments, but we are confident that by God's grace we'll be able to minister here for the cause of Christ.

• Deb & Doug Stromberg
  We are thankful for the $110,000.00 sales of Bibles, hymnals and Christian literature in our wholesale and retail work here for 1980. There has been a 40% increase in the sale of Bibles. Deb is teaching kindergarten (in English) at a local missionary school. She has 6 Bolivian and 3 missionaries' children. She also teaches 3 Bible classes a week at the children's hospital. We may be taking a 4-month furlough in July. Pray for an additional Bolivian clerk and a daily renewing of our hearts and minds in God.

• Terry & Bev Thames
  Our home is available to those passing through and needing a place to stay for a day or so. Terry still works at So. Bell and Bev at Bapt. Medical Center. Terry is a deacon at Calvary Bible Church and also music coordinator. Teddy is a typical 4-year-old boy and Heidianne is 16 months old and still bald. Is there hope?

• Pam & Fred Tuggy
  Last summer, during SIL's course for support workers, we were asked to consider spending the next year or so at the JAARS Center, doing basically the same kind of auto mechanic work as in Mexico. We rented a very reasonably priced 4-bedroom house and enrolled Wendy and Cindy in a Christian school. Pam works several mornings a week in the Center nursery. Y'all come see us and we'll make sure you get a 'grand tour' of the Center.

• Marlita & Bill Walker
  We are close to the end of Bill's MRE program. By June classes should be done, and then he will complete his thesis and doctrinal statement by Dec. We are putting 'feelers' out for any camp positions available. If anyone has information concerning openings, let us know. My days are full as I've gotten deeply involved in a musical group with ministers in other churches once a month. We are developing a Jr. Hi program at our church with 30-35 kids on Weds. nights. PTL. God continually supplies our needs and strengthens us for our daily responsibilities.

• Marlene & Paul Wenzel
  1980 was a year of growth for us, starting with the arrival of Kerri Lane (1/11/80). She is the joy of our hearts. Claiming Jer. 33:3 as our year verse, the church where Paul pastors reached its 1980 goal of 24 new regular attendees (the Lord brought us 39) and not making any loans to make ends meet. We ended the year with a surplus for the first time in memory! I have been teaching a ladies Bible study at our house. It's been amazing how the Lord has worked with me and just since Christmas I've even fallen in love with ministering to these ladies. I'd appreciate your prayers. Our love to all!

• Doris & Neil Wolfe
  On Jan. 26 we were back to work in Tumi Chucua, Neil flying and fixing the planes and I as a teacher's aide for K-3rd. The Ignaciano NT has arrived from Dallas and will be decided Easter. The Tacana NT is now being typed and will be ready in early 1982. The first Sun. of Feb. the church in Tumi was unexpectedly visited by the Vice President of Bolivia and his family. In the service he had a word of commendation for our work among the indigenous people of Bolivia.

[This letter was accompanied by a page of pictures of 1) Kerri Wenzel; 2) the Walkers; 3) the Thames; 4) the David Millers; 5) the Tuggys; 6)the Joneses; 7) the Smiths; 8) the Merritt boys; 9) the Strombergs; 10) Rhonda Hartell]