Dear Friends:

This brilliant sunrise a couple of weeks ago had me across the road and in the churchyard in no time at all. Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork." It is moments like these that fill us with awe and admiration for who He is and what He does for each one of us.

Evidence of God's love and care is all around us, even in the middle of today's runaway world. Moses instructed the Israelites in Deuteronomy 4:29 to "...seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul." And King David said in Psalm 105:3, "Glory in His holy name, let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!"

Our relationship with God is such a wonderful two-way street. He is actively on the lookout for those who are seeking Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." And Psalm 34:15 puts it this way, "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry." So whatever our present circumstances may be, our whatever past has been, He is as close as our next breath.

This has been a tremendous source of strength and blessing for Gladys and me lately. We have each been facing some health issues, and the Lord has been with us through it all. But at this point, we would like to sincerely request your prayer support as well.

In November I suddenly started having terrible joint pains the night after getting my Covid booster—one of the documented side effects. However, rather than improving after a few days, it just continued to get worse. In December I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica, an autoimmune disorder, and was referred to a rheumatologist, but that would be months away.

This Tuesday I decided to go through a private hospital, and when I called the doctor had a cancellation and was able to see me on Thursday. And just Monday a friend put a check in my hand that exactly covered the fees. How's that for the Lord showing Himself strong? We are trusting that the medications don't cause any adverse side effects and that this condition be healed and cleared out in record time. And your prayers in that direction would be greatly appreciated.

Meanwhile, Gladys has had some recurrence of a long-standing digestive disorder and is very kindly being attended to online by a wonderful dietician in Guatemala. Through a rigorous change in eating habits, we hope to see her whole digestive system healed and restored to factory specifications. Also, she has recently been dealing with real discomfort involving her spinal column. So again your prayers for her would be a real blessing and comfort.

After some encouragement from our daughter-in-law who was here in November, Gladys has started to practice driving again after a 16-year "holiday." That has actually been a real help for me at times, and I'm enjoying being her coach at driving on the left-hand side of the road. She is gradually gaining confidence, and thankful that we live in a rural area without the busy traffic of New Orleans and Guatemala where she drove very comfortably for years.

We both heartily thank you for your prayers for us, and His work in Wales and the nations. May the favor and the grace of the Lord cover you and your loved ones as you seek Him and are sought by Him day by day,

Dick & Gladys