November,
2017
Greetings
from the mission field of Norttheast Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania!
We have been kept busy throughout the Fall months with travel to
Connecticut to help celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the
church we planted in 1987 and a missions conference in Ohio, as well
as one in our church in PA. It was great to see River Valley Baptist
Church in Ansonia, Connecticut growing and serving in the Naugatuck
Valley. One lady, who was part of our first “get-acquainted”
meetings before we started the church, is still a faithful member.
Others, who joined during the course of our ministry there, are still
serving in various capacities. We also met many new folks who have
become part of the work since we've been gone. In a day when many
churches are closing their doors, it is refreshing to see a faithful
congregation, continuing to keep a good testimony for the Lord in a
downtown location. While we were there we were able to show a video
of our ministry among the nursing homes and the great need there is
to reach those “living on the brink of Eternity”.
After
returning from Connecticut, we traveled to South Ridge Baptist Church
in Conneaut, Ohio, one of our supporting churches, to participate in
their missions conference. Although we couldn't be there for the
whole conference, we were able to show our latest minstry video. The
pastor graciously invited us to come back the following Sunday
evening to preach. Again, we enjoyed seeing friends we have made over
the years of our association with this church.
Speaking
of Ohio, the nursing home in Ashtabula has always been a fruitful
field for the gospel. On our last trip there, we had two new
residents respond to the invitation to trust Christ as their Saviour.
As we left, I looked back to see one of the women reading through the
tract I had given here to give her some assurance of her decision.
While
the nursing home ministry is a delight to be a part of, we have had
to cancel a number of our regular meetings recently. We have enjoyed
great health through the years of ministry, but lately it seems age
is catching up with us. I had a respiratory problem that affected my
throat, and therefore, my voice. In addition, I have been
experiencing some painful tendon problems in both hands which have
limited my guitar playing as part of our services. On top of that,
since I turned 70, I've developed some sort of allergy that is giving
me “hives”. I actually ended up in the emergency room at 2 a.m.
one morning due to my lip swelling up! This required more
antihistimines and steroids. I have an appointment with an allergist
later this month to try to figure out what's going on. Through all of
this we have had to cancel a number of services while we work through
these problems. We would appreciate your prayers about all of this.
But
on a good note, the past two times my wife has seen her retinal
surgeon he has been excited to report some healing in her eye. As a
result of that, he has temporarily stopped the needle injections she
has been enduring for the past three years, and will make a decision
on an every other month basis. Again, your prayers would be
appreciated on this matter.
Praise
the Lord we were able to purchase another car (a 2010 Chrysler Town &
Country) recently and are looking forward to using it to visit our
son and his family at Christmas who are now pastoring in Kentucky.
As
always, we are thankful for your faithful support as we seek to reach
“America's fastest growing, yet most neglected mission field”.
Should the Lord tarry, we look forward to bearing fruit to your
account in the coming year!
In
His service together,
The
Aabyes
Norm
& Priscilla Aabye
