The long story.

31st Dec. 2001

Hi everyone

We just wanted to say thank you for your prayers and to wish you a very Blessed New Year. I am sorry to have been laid aside these days. I miss you all very much. The Doctor insists I rest until I see him again on 17th. Pray that I might get a speedy appointment at the cardiac clinic. I am feeling better than I have felt for some time but still very easily tired. I have to learn to be patient! Pray for Joanna as so much falls on her now. We are looking forward to a New Year in our church, for we believe God has great things ahead for us all. God has been very gracious in 2001; souls have been saved and many blessed. It has been a privilege to minister to you all - to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice and to know that our God reigns. You are all very precious to Joanna and me.

Thank you for all your love and support in the past. We know we can count on you as we face the future.

Psalm 18

I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Saviour! He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me, who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me. Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD; I will sing praises to your name. He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.

God bless you each one.

with much love

David and Joanna

 

PS. Feel free to keep in touch by email. I try to escape to the computer for a while each day! Note that moirabaptist.org is approaching 10,000 hits. Who will be number 10,000? If you hit the mark let me know. A Curly Wurly is waiting for the winner!!

18th January 2002

I have sneaked off again to the computer. Well I have to do something!! I just wanted to thank all of you for your prayers over the past three weeks almost. God has given all the grace we have needed to face the challenges before us, in answer to your prayers. I have now got an appointment with the Cardiac consultant for this Monday afternoon. I know that the problem is a left ventricular failure - whatever that means! Pray that the consultant will know the guiding hand of God in making diagnosis and deciding on the best treatment. I do not know how much longer I will be off work but I hope soon to have a clearer idea. I so much miss being involved in church life and particularly with those of you who are facing your own challenges. We pray for you all. We are so grateful to all who are helping in ministry there weeks and particularly those in the church who have to carry the extra burdens of leadership while I am away. Thank you for all the emails, cards and messages of encouragement. It is wonderful to have such a loving caring fellowship around us. Pray for Joanna. I know you have been but the focus is largely on me and she needs a lot of strength. So much more rests on her shoulders and she is very tired at times. Pray for her health to be strong enough to cope.

God bless you all,

David

Ps 9:9-10 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. NIV

29th January

It is exactly one month today since the Doctor said I must rest. You can imagine how I have found that difficult. Now he says I must stay off work for another 4 weeks and refuses to be drawn on how long it will take. Nothing can be decided until after I get the heart scan and see the consultant again. So please pray that these appointments may soon be made. I am feeling quite a lot better and the doctor allows me a little exercise but strictly limited. The medication I am on has to be assessed through blood tests in 3 weeks and adjusted if necessary. Please continue to pray for us that the day will come soon when I will be able to return to the people and work I love. Your prayers, messages, emails and cards are all deeply appreciated. And please continue to pray for all your friends and mine in the church who are in need. I can't be alongside them just now but when I can't sleep at night I pray for them. I know you pray too and we look forward to all He is going to do. God is gracious.

Love in Jesus

David

 

9th February

Hello everyone,

Thanks for all your prayers. I am sorry I have not been updating you recently. I am feeling much, much better these days. Each day I attempt a little more - so far without any major problems other than tiredness. I drove over to Adam and Debbie's house today on my own - the first driving for weeks on end. I am sleeping better at nights and generally feeling stronger but my body reminds me from time to time if I do too much. I hope soon to be able to be out more. I have still not received that appointment from the hospital and ask you to pray that it comes soon. My GP will not allow me to do much until that scan shows what is wrong. I keep my mind occupied with reading, sorting and cataloguing etc in the study, a little computer work and some painting. (first attempt is attached - no! I do not do portraits. I wish to avoid losing good friends!!) No woodturning yet!! I try to keep up to date with church needs and pray for you all. I miss being there and hope soon I can join you. I praise God for my fellow elders and our deacons who have done so much to ensure that I can rest without worrying about church things. I am very grateful to those on the Missions council who have to carry a heavy load in preparation for the Missionary Conference in March. I am very grateful to the men who have stepped in at short notice to preach on Sundays and Wednesdays. Please continue to pray that God will pour out His blessing upon us all. Joanna and I are very grateful for all your love and support; practical as well as prayerful. Your cards and letters, phone calls, emails and visits are really appreciated. Thank you for all the nice things you have brought to eat - tonight we enjoyed a delicious tea cooked for us. God bless you all for your love. Continue to remember Joanna that she may know strength and health. Please pray for my friend Sam in India. I talked to him on the phone today and discovered that he too has had a recurrence of his heart problems. He was in hospital last week - in intensive care for a time - and had similar symptoms to my own. It was very special to be able to encourage each other in the Lord. He and Victoria really need our prayers each day. I will leave you with the wonderful verses the Lord gave me two nights ago.

Psalm 18

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.

11th Feb.

I could not resist sharing this charming card with you. It comes from one of my little friends in church - Elise Archer. Note the sun is still shining, there is a rainbow behind the dark clouds, I am still smiling and my hair is still growing down the side but not over the top! Thanks for your prayers. Yesterday and last night I was not so good as recently. Still no appointment. Your prayers are really appreciated.

David and Joanna

21st Feb.

Hi everyone,

Thanks again for all your love to us. We are very conscious of your prayer support. God is pouring in His grace every day. Up until last weekend I was feeling really well and planning to be at church on Sunday. But Saturday night was the beginning of another setback; since then I have regularly been very short of breath and last night was rather difficult - I was still awake at 6.15 am! I saw the doctor this morning and he has increased some of my medication and told me I will be off work for some time yet. I still have no scan appointment, though I may know something more today or tomorrow. Other openings are being explored, through the kindness of some friends, so I hope soon to know more about what is going on inside this old body!! I am very grateful for all God's mercies to us. I'm still not tearing out what little hair I have left but sometimes it can be very frustrating to be so curtailed. ( I should not have said that!! It is quite funny! The wind has just caused a blip in the power supply and the computer shut down so I lost the end of this message and have had to re-type it!!) Please pray for Joanna for I think she is looking very tired and I just fear what impact all this could have or her future health.

I am so sorry to be away from the services and church life and visitation. So many of you are in great need of support and I long to be there with you through these days. By God's grace soon I will be, but the Lord is with You and never leaves you. We are all constantly in His hand.

How grateful we all are for the leadership we have in church. I feel so bad about the burden placed on Adrian and Maynard, both of whom have their own health problems and pressures. It is great to know the church is in good hands and they, with the deacons, are doing a great work and need your prayers and support.

Once again thank you for all the generous tokens of your love to us. We are surrounded by cards; scores of e-mails have arrived and many have phoned or called. It is lovely to be a part of a great church family. We have been shown so much kindness. The Lord will bless you. I am sure you remember that there are others in the church going through even more difficult days. Don't forget them.

With much love in the Lord Jesus,

David

Psalm 21:7

For the king trusts in the LORD, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.

8th March

I want to thank you for your prayer support over the past weeks. These last couple of days I have been feeling a quite well. On Wednesday a friend took me for an outing to B&Q and Oxford Island for an hour or so. Then that evening I was able to attend the Dollingstown Home Bible study and really enjoyed it. However the fluid continues to be a problem in my lungs and in the last 24 hours on my ankles. Sometimes I feel like I am on a roller coaster - (not that I have ever been on one!!)- sometimes up and sometimes down. I thank God that however down I have felt physically, He has kept me up emotionally and spiritually. I wish I could soon be physically strong again and able to do all the things I want to do for the Lord. I have to learn that this is not wasted time. The Lord is teaching me so much as I read His Word - particularly from the Psalms. Last night He gave me words from Psalm 31.

For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name's sake, lead me and guide me.

For You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit;

You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. I trust in You, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand.

Thanks once again for all your love and support.

David and Joanna

10th March

I know it is just a few days since I updated you but so many have been in touch. The latest news is that I have had a very good weekend. The Doctor has doubled some of my medication and that seems to have helped already. On Saturday Joanna and I and the grandchildren went out for a quick trip to the shops and then went up to Joanna's parents in Dungannon for an hour or two. It was my first big trip for ten weeks and apart from a build up of fluid on my legs, I am fine. Then this morning I was able to go to church. It is Missionary Sunday with the Morrows from Peru. I really enjoyed it but was so sad not to be involved. I love Missionary services. Tonight we have an international supper after the service but I am too tired to go-- (even after a couple of hours sleep this afternoon). Joanna and Adam have gone and I am babysitting Debbie. She is asleep so I have an opportunity to catch up on a bit of correspondence. Thank you again for all your love and prayers.

I have just counted and you are one of over 80 people around the world who get this. Is it any wonder I feel the power of prayer.

Thank you

David and Joanna

25th March

Thank you for your prayers this week. On Wednesday morning I have my long awaited cardiac scan. Pray for a clear diagnosis and a speedy medical response to whatever is identified. Pray too for Joanna. She has a Doctor's appointment tomorrow. The past three months have placed enormous demands or her health.

Loud whispers

The past 3 months have been full of noise and upheaval:

The howling winds of weakness

Why can I not keep going like I have always done? Through nearly 34 years of Christian ministry I have never had more enthusiasm or expectancy, yet for the first time a major health issue has intervened. Even sitting in a church service becomes exhausting - changed days! How I wish I could do all the things I want to do!

The earthquake of guilt

There is so much to be done that the load is left on the shoulders of men with busy lives and their own health problems. Should I be doing more? Did I bring this illness about because I unwisely pushed myself? My health problems have placed strains on Joanna's health. You know how I love the grand children and I cannot do the things we once did together. They try to understand but it is not easy for them.

The fire of frustration

Why does this happen when we have such exciting things planned? When is it going to be resolved? Why should I have to wait so long for medical attention? There is such need in the church and I can't be involved? We have a busy year ahead in church life and I have to sit at home! I begin to feel well and so little sets me back. I want to be there for those who hurt and I can only be at the end of a phone. Like Elijah, I have been bombarded by such noise and upheaval - but there has been a whisper that has been louder than them all.

The still small voice of His peace.

He cares about me. He has a plan for my life. He has more for me to do for Him. He promises grace sufficient for every day. The frustrations and the guilt and the weaknesses and the fears and the uncertainties fade away when He tell me He loves me and shows me His plan is perfect.

Thank you Lord for your Loud Whispers.

 

David

2nd April

Thanks for all your prayers. I trust you all had a blessed Easter. It was really special to attend our Good Friday Service in Moira Baptist and to see the place full. We really were moved as we worshipped and broke bread together. A big "thank you" to everyone involved. I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk to you all over supper - I was just about the last one out of the hall (as usual!!) But I am afraid I am still weaker than I thought and for the next couple of days I was feeling the effects of it all. Please continue to pray for strength and patience and for God's touch. I am waiting as patiently as I can for the Medical profession to do what they have to do but I know that the great Healer is not short of resources or overworked; in His time, He will perfect that which concern me.

Joanna sends her love and thanks.

Love in Jesus

David

12 th April

Dear friends

Forgive me for not writing recently. These past two weeks have been encouraging as I have felt a real measure of improvement and been able to do some things I have not done for weeks - such as driving alone to Lurgan and Moira!! We were able to spend two nights in Enniskillen last weekend. First time away from home for over 3 months! I am still waiting for the appointments at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

I received the official results of my scan today. The consultant says it shows the "pumping fraction of the heart is significantly impaired" and he has arranged a number of further investigations. Of course the bottom line is "you will be receiving appointments in due course". God has wonderfully answered prayer so far and I ask you to pray on that these appointments will be granted soon (and close together) so that there is no delay in identifying the cause and the consequent treatment. Today my GP has doubled another of my medication and will monitor its effects closely. He hopes it will continue to deal with my symptoms. So far my medication has not produced significant side effects, so I am praying for that also to continue.

I continue to have a remarkable sense of peace and a patience I did not know was possible on earth. Of course at times I feel frustration and even the fear of the unknown but your prayers have borne me up day after day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you for praying for Joanna. She developed something like a bad cold last weekend (I think it was more than a cold) and has struggled all week to keep it to herself. I am thankful that I was feeling so well and could do so much when she was feeling so poorly.

We love you all and miss you dearly. Pray that soon the Lord may open the door to me to return to the people He has given me and the ministry I love so much.

I would like to share some thoughts from a verse the Lord gave me recently for someone .

Psalm 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. NIV

Here is instruction on how to live in the present, in preparation for living in His presence.

Live on God's path - "the path of life" - it is always best. There is no path in life to compare with the Path of life. Aren't you glad you are on it? Remember how He turned you from your own way?

Live in God's presence - there true happiness is found. Only when we are on the path of life can we experience His presence. Do you know the "heart burn" of walking with Jesus every day?

Live for God's pleasures - they are the only pleasures that last forever. We easily get dazzled by the "rhinestones" of this world's trinkets; He wants us to delight in the "diamonds" of grace that will never loose their lustre. Have you turned your eyes upon Jesus today? "The things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."

With much love in Jesus

David and Joanna.

29th April

Thank you for praying for Joanna and me over these months. Generally I am keeping quite well with some "off" days but still easily tired. Yesterday was the 7th anniversary of my coming to Moira as Pastor. It was a great experience to feel well enough to introduce the service and take the opportunity to thank all my friends in Moira Baptist for their support and prayers. But at the same time it was a little sad to realise that the little part I had in the service was as much as I could do. I look forward to the day when I can once more stand in my pulpit and preach - I ask you to pray for that day to come soon.

I am still patiently waiting for hospital appointments and praying for a speedy resolution of my health problems. It is difficult to be patient - I am finding God's grace sufficient though I confess to occasional times of frustration and discouragement. God still has much to teach me.

Can I ask you to join us in prayer for one of our Church Elders - Adrian Patterson. Adrian was in England last weekend on business. On his way to church on Sunday morning he took ill and was rushed to hospital. He has had a heart attack. He is now in hospital in Newcastle in the North of England and his wife Pat has flown over to be at his side. He is comfortable at present and is been closely monitored and assessed. Please pray earnestly with us for Adrian's complete recovery. He is a very dear man and highly respected in the church and everywhere. Please pray for our church.

This is another bombshell to the fellowship. Adrian had shouldered so much more responsibility during my illness - particularly in the area of visitation, despite the fact that he has not been feeling so well recently. Maynard and Peter, our other elders, will be very grateful if you would also pray for them and the extra load they now have to carry.

God has been at work in wonderful ways in recent days. Just last week a young woman was converted. The church is growing, new members are being added,attendance on Sunday mornings is rising, there is much to encourage but many, many great needs. Remember Jim Pinder who is facing immanent kidney dialysis. We all would be very grateful if you would pray for us. We thank you in Jesus Name.

Ps 44:1-5 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us the deeds You did in their days; in days of old: ..... For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favoured them. You are my King, O God;

2nd May

Philemon 22

And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. NIV.

Dear friends

Your prayers are deeply appreciated. Yesterday I learned from my GP something of the extent of my heart failure and it is worse than I thought - only 15% pumping fraction with further complications. I have now to wait to see what the cardiopulmonary test and the "dye test" show.

Isn't it good to know that the Lord is in control of everything - even my long awaited hospital appointments. Pray that I will always have His peace and His patience.

David

16th May

Hi everyone I am back online.

Computer withdrawal symptoms have almost gone! I have waded through a multitude of emails waiting for me since Saturday. Thank you to you all for your prayers. I was rushed into hospital on Saturday evening and was there until late afternoon on Tuesday. It was a surprise to take unwell so suddenly, particularly as I had been feeling so good for several days. I do not know what really happened - some kind of "episode". I had shortness of breath, blood pressure all over the place, very rapid pulse rate and a build up of fluid. Apart from that I was OK!

A few days of hospital care has left me weak but quickly returning to "normal". Apparently no damage was done which is encouraging, considering my heart condition is already not good. I am praying that something good may come from this episode - that my long awaited tests will now be brought forward, though I have been given no assurances. My consultant is on leave so I did not see him. Please pray that when he returns I may be given a speedy appointment. I have been told the other test has a long waiting list, but please pray that it too may be available soon so that some answers can be found.

I continue to know God's peace and sufficient grace for each day. Some of the medical profession seem surprised at the life I am able to live, so I know God's hand is upon me and He is answering your prayers. We are learning to leave each day in the hands of the One who holds the future. I want to thank all of you who supported Joanna over the last few days. We are deeply grateful to God for all of you.

The following verses have been so helpful today.

Ps 34:15-19 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

. With much love and sincere thanks for fellowship.

David and Joanna

22nd May

I have been told this afternoon that an appointment has been made for a "dye test" for me next Tuesday in the Royal Victoria Hospital. This is a wonderful answer to prayer. I am trusting that the cardiopulmonary exercise test will also be done soon. Please pray about that.

Pray for a safe test without complications; pray for wisdom for the doctor as he makes a diagnosis; pray for us to continue to know God's peace.

Thanks for all your support and love.

David and Joanna

Monday 27th May

Hi friends

Thank you for all your prayers. Tomorrow I have one of the tests for which I have waited so long. I have now been off work for 150 days and I pray that I can soon be able to return. So much will depend on what this test (and another one) shows. Thanks for all your love and support. Some of you have been very generous with meals and gifts of food. Thank you.

In all your prayers for me, please don't forget to pray for us all as a family and particularly Joanna. Also please pray for Adam(8) and Debbie (6), our grandchildren.

Here is a lovely prayer Adam wrote out for me when I was last in hospital. "Dear God, I hope this prayer works and if it does, please get Grandad better."

Love in Jesus

Phil 4:12-14 I have learned (I trust) the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. NIV

Wednesday 29th May

A brief message to say thanks for all your prayers. I had my cardiac catheterisation yesterday. I was not taken until 2.30 pm and was not back on the ward until 4.30pm. After fasting from the night before I was hungry and was given 2 meals!! I was allowed home at 9.20 pm last night.

Today I feel fine but tired. The test went well and showed that my coronary arteries are normal but confirmed the echo scan findings about the poor condition of my heart. The cardiopulmonary exercise test will be next week (probably Wednesday) and its findings will be very important in determining what lies ahead.

Thanks again for all your prayers. I was very conscious of prayer support all the way through.

love in Jesus

David and Joanna

Psalm 36:7-9

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. NKJV

Wednesday 5th June

In an amazing way I was conscious of people praying this morning as I had my Cardiopulmonary Exercise test. The test went well and I was able to do far beyond what I expected to achieve in terms of time and speed. It is the most vigorous exercise I have been capable of since December (and maybe longer).

As I walked faster and faster, I was thinking, "People must be praying right now". Thank you. The information obtained will now be analysed in the "Royal" and forwarded to my Consultant in Craigavon. Only then will the future become more clear.

I suppose the next prayer request is that I will get an appointment with my consultant in the near future.

Last night the Lord gave me these words from Psalm 20.

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8 They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright. 9 Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call.

Wednesday 19th June

Thanks for your prayers today. We needed them. Joanna had an appointment at the hospital today, so I went with her intending to visit my brother Brian. He was a patient again for angina investigations. Visiting hours meant I had to wait a while and as I waited I began to feel weak and shaky. When Joanna returned we thought it best to go to A&E.

I was examined and given oxygen. I soon recovered but they took ECG, X-ray and blood test. Nothing alarming was found and I was allowed home but told to take things very easy. Doctors could not tell me what happened, except that such things are common with my condition. I feel ok again, a little tired but am grateful to have been dealt with so promptly. (A&E was terribly busy)

But here the story gets stranger than fiction. At almost the same time as I was admitted to A&E, my Mother was also admitted. Unknown to us, she was in the room next door. Her home help found her unwell this morning appearing to have taken one of her "turns" as she calls them. But the hospital have said she has had a slight stroke and has developed pneumonia. I saw her before I was discharged as they were preparing to get her to a ward. Brian was discharged this evening and is awaiting an angiogram. Four McFarlands were patients in the same hospital this afternoon (and tonight I have learned that my cousin's wife - also a McFarland - is a patient there too!!!)

What to pray for?

For David's mother's health. We are not yet sure how seriously she is affected.

For David's sister Ruth who has been such a help to Mum and Brian in their illnesses. (All of them live in Richhill) She is so busy with work and her own family, yet always drops everything when anyone is ill.

For Brian - that his changed medication will be effective and that tests will be done soon to determine his needs.

For David - that he will regain some strength and that the results of the cardiopulmonary test will soon be available. Pray that my Consultant will have wisdom and skill to know and do what is best for me.

Last but not least, for Joanna - that she may continue to have the strength she needs for all the challenges of McFarland life!!!

God bless you for all your love and support

David and Joanna

Ps 71:6-9 By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother's womb. My praise shall be continually of You. I have become as a wonder to many, but You are my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all the day. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails. NKJV

Saturday 22nd June

Thanks for keeping us upheld before the throne. This has been a testing week. I had to get the Doctor again yesterday because of sheer weakness. He could not give me further medication and warned I must rest a lot. I spent most of the last few days in bed and tire very easily. I really have to do less.

Things are becoming clear. The Doctor who visited had read my notes and told me what my own GP had obviously known but not said. The test I had was to see if I was a suitable candidate for heart transplant. That was also suggested by the Doctor in the A&E on Wednesday, so now we are beginning to see the size of the "mountain".

I was sent a lovely card this week by a colleague with a timely reminder for us that God is a mountain mover!!

We need you to pray that I will keep my eyes off the mountain and on Him who moves them.

Thank you for praying for my family. Mum is home to stay with my sister over the weekend. She seems to have recovered without lasting damage from the slight stroke; pray for her pneumonia to respond to the antibiotics. Brian is home too and keeping OK. Joanna as ever is always there; pray she will continue to have strength. So much depends on her.

Every day we bless God for you all

David and Joanna

Monday 24th June ( first message )

Please forgive another update so soon but things are moving quickly. My consultant wants to see me this afternoon. He has booked another echo scan for 3.20 p.m. today and then I will meet him. I have no idea what to expect but I know I am in the Hands of the Almighty. Pray that I will always have His peace.

David

 

Monday 24nd June (second message )

Thanks for your prayers this afternoon. I approached the interview with, I confess, some considerable apprehension but in a remarkable way felt the power of your prayers. I believe I experienced something of God's "peace which passes understanding" as I heard what the consultant had to say.

Today's scan showed no marked deterioration from the one taken 3 months ago. Mr McEneaney was pleased to see how well I had done on the cardiopulmonary test. But he informed us that, without a transplant, my quality of life could deteriorate quickly. There is no other real option. He believed that my age, my general health and healthy lifestyle, and particularly my "positive attitude" all indicated that a heart transplant could enable me to get back fully into the ministry.

If God is going to lead me on this path, humanly speaking there is much that needs to be done before then. I have to go into hospital for a few days soon (maybe this week) for a range of tests. I have to be assessed by the transplant team in Papworth Hospital, near Cambridge and could face medical procedures there. There is no guarantee that at the end of all these tests, I will be a suitable candidate and accepted but we know that if this is the Lord's will for me, He will open the doors. Timescale is difficult to determine but I was told anywhere between 6 months and 2 years and, of course, everything depends on a suitable donor being available at the right time.

Please join us in praying for that donor whom we will never know. We want to pray that whoever may give me a heart will be a believer. I want to meet them in heaven and tell them how God still used their heart for His glory after they needed it no longer.

Meanwhile the consultant encourages me to lead as normal a lifestyle as I can.

Thank you for your prayers for both of us.

love in Jesus

David

Psalm 61 has been remarkably encouraging these days. I share some thoughts with you for your encouragement.

1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For you have been my refuge,a strong tower against the foe. 4 I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah

5 For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. 6 Increase the days of the king's life, his years for many generations. 7 May he be enthroned in God's presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him. 8 Then will I ever sing praise to your name and fulfil my vows day after day. NIV

 

" I call as my heart grows faint". How wonderful prayer is!

• It transports us from the dry deserts and cold wastes and deserted islands of life. "from the ends of the earth I call to you".
• Prayer lifts us from the raging torrents, deep valleys and sinking sands of life. "lead me to the rock that is higher than I".
• Prayer carries us from the exposed battlefield and enemy territory of life. "For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe."
• Prayer bears us from the wanderings and homelessness of life. " I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings."
• It moves us from leaning on the poverty of materialism and earthly ambition. "you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name."
• Prayer delivers us from all that is merely natural and ordinary and quantified in terms of earthly life. "Increase the days of the king's life, his years for many generations. "
• It uplifts us from all the shallowness, unhappiness and and disappointments of life. "Then will I ever sing praise to your name and fulfil my vows day after day."

Wednesday 26th June

My consultant has just informed me that he has been in touch with Papworth Hospital and they have agreed to explore the issue of transplantation, probably not in the immediate future but medium term.

He would like to bring me in for a few days for some further tests - tomorrow morning if there is a bed available. I know you will be praying. Pray that nothing will be found that would make a transplant impossible.

love in Jesus

David and Joanna

Saturday 29th June

Hello to all my friends

Thanks for your prayers. God is answering, in some amazingly personal ways.

I hesitate to write once more this week but I know many of you share these requests in your churches on Sunday. Please thank all those in your church today who have taken us upon their hearts.

There is a second reason for writing today. It is exactly 6 months since I went to the Doctor with what I thought was a minor ailment and was told I had heart failure. What a learning experience the past months have been and particularly the past week!

But also what gracious lessons the Lord has taught us and still is. Every day is a wonderful new gift to be used for Him. How dearly I wish I could be back in Moira Baptist serving the Lord and His people but His plan for me just now is a little different.

I was in hospital on Thursday and Friday for tests as preparation for a fuller assessment at Papworth Hospital in England. (If you have got a strong heart and really, really want to learn more about transplants go to http://www.papworth-hospital.org.uk Thank God for such places and such gifted people). My Consultant expects me to be taken to Papworth sometime over the next 2 months for assessment. Only then will I know if I am to be placed on the waiting list.

Please pray for my ongoing health. At the moment I am reasonably well most days but can expect to have poor days. Obviously deterioration is to be expected but the doctors cannot tell me whether that might be slow or fast. That is why it is important to make preparations as soon as possible. Pray for all the Consultants who will have a part to play - that God will clearly guide them and use them.

And pray that my faith will not falter. I am no superman. And pray for Joanna - and Jonathan and our whole family. Only by God's grace can we go on.

We were wonderfully encouraged this week to discover that friends for whom we have prayed over the last couple of years, now live within 45 mins of Papworth and have offered their support and will help with accommodation if necessary. Isn't God good? In this big world He has His people everywhere. This email travels as far as Australia, Canada, USA, Romania, and India. And I know some of you mail it on to others.

Thank you for all the ways you let us know you are standing with us. Friends sent me a lovely handmade card today, with a promise on the cover from Jeremiah 29:11... "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." In the early days of my illness, before I knew how big the mountain would grow, the Lord gave me this promise. It is wonderful to be reminded that the promise still stands taller than the mountain.

God bless you all today and always.

David and Joanna

Thursday 4 th July

Hi friends.

Here I am again. I wish to encourage you, for I have been encouraged in a number of ways.

1. I was reading Psalm 68 last night again and sat down with David in the desert of Judah. David gave me some lovely truths to encourage me. I will share them with you soon because I want to give you another verse.

2. Twice this week I have been given the same promise - one came from India and the other came from one of my dear friends in Moira, even as I was typing this. Jer 30:17 " I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,' says the LORD." There have been so many others you have sent me. Thank you so much.

3. We have had many offers of practical help, so many kind gifts. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

4. Pastor Judd came to visit us today and brought before us again the very precious promise of Hebrews 13:5-6. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." He reminded us that the the original says "I will never never leave you; no, I will never, never forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Wonderful promises from the Lord.

5. This evening I received a phone call from a retired Presbyterian minister and lecturer who had a heart transplant in Papworth over eight years ago and was back to work in a few months. Though he is now retired, he leads a very busy life - still ministering. He and his wife plan to come to see us next week to tell of their experiences and answer any questions we may have. Isn't God good, encouraging us and particularly this day when I have had very little physical strength?

6. Last Sunday evening I had a phone call from a man from Tobermore Baptist Church who is also waiting for assessment for a transplant - he needs a heart and lungs! It was great to talk to him and to be able to encourage one another. Please pray for him - his name is Adrian.

7. Also this week I have been in touch with the wife of a man who had a transplant 6 years ago last Wednesday. He was back in Newcastle for a check-up and I hope to talk to him in the near future.

God is so good, bringing around us another group of friends to support and encourage. The gentleman who phoned tonight said the most important thing was to get people to pray and I was able to tell him how I had the most wonderful group of praying friends in my church and around the world.

God bless you each and every one. You are true encouragers.

love

David and Joanna

 

Wed 17th July

Thank you for your prayers for us. There have been no major developments to report recently. The tests I had 2 weeks ago have prepared the way for a heart transplant assessment at Papworth Hospital. I now have to wait for them to call me, hopefully sometime over the summer.

I have been keeping quite well most days. Of course that means doing very little and never going very far. I try to remain as active as possible around the house; I read and meditate, I keep in touch with church life as much as possible by phone and email etc. I write a little, paint a little, think a lot and rest a lot. I love to have the grandchildren around when I am able. I try to have some semblance of a normal life. There are many things I miss - too many to mention - but God has filled the hours and days with His presence and His peace.

We appreciate the support we receive from everyone of you. The Lord bless you for your faithfulness.

Last night I was reading of Joseph. For 25 years of his life, God was silent. Things had been going so well for him; he saw himself having a tremendous future. But for years that dream disappeared in the baffling circumstances he faced. Despite the lack of answers he received, and the silence he endured, he knew God was working out a greater plan.

Gen 45:5 God sent me ahead of you.

Gen 45:7 But God sent me ahead of you

Gen 50:20 God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done.

Whatever might baffle us, God is still at work in us and for us and through us, that He might be glorified. Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

God bless you all.

love David and Joanna

Tue 30th July

Today is our 31st wedding anniversary - no candles and romantic dinners!! I am so grateful to God for all these years and for the gift of a wonderful wife. Joanna has been my best friend and my greatest support. Particularly these past 7 months, she has been so strong for me under enormous pressures. Despite having her own health concerns, she has shouldered the tremendously heavy physical and emotional load and also has been a tower of strength spiritually. Please pray for her health to remain good and for the needed strength for every day. Pray for wisdom for us as we seek to know and walk only in God's paths.

The Papworth team is soon to make an initial telephone assessment in preparation for a 3 day assessment over there. They hope to bring me to Papworth by the end of August or early September. Meanwhile I have had quite a few very good days and am learning how to handle the poor days better. Your prayers mean so much to us as we learn to live for God in all the difficult paths He has asked us to walk. Pray that we may have the grace required to own Paul's words.

Acts 20:22-24 "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I count my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Only a life that counts for Jesus is worth living.

love again in Jesus

 

David

Thursday 1st Aug.

Papworth visit planned for 19 - 21 August. To be confirmed on Monday. Thanks for praying. More details later.

 

Tuesday 6th Aug.

Why do I ever feel discouraged and fearful? Yesterday (Monday) for a little while I was struggling.

The Health Board had been in touch confirming travel arrangements on Monday 19th to Stanstead and Papworth. We will be flying that morning, arriving at Papworth at 11.00 am and commencing two full days of tests and assessments. The prospect is daunting physically and emotionally. At the end we will be told one of three things: I am too ill for a transplant, or I am too well for a transplant at present or that I am being offered a place on the waiting list for a transplant. If I am offered a place we will be sent home and given some time to decide what we want to do. Days of major decision are approaching. Possibly that was part of the reason for my struggles.

Then I went online and received this message: (to avoid embarrassment for the child concerned, I have removed all names but the children concerned are young)

Dear David & Joanna

When we have our Grandchildren staying overnight we encourage them to say sorry to God for something wrong they may have done and to thank God for something with regard to the day, and to pray for others. It was suggested that they pray for you (their Pastor) and we told them to pray for a new heart. Our granddaughter piped up. "I would give him my heart!" Her brother responded. "Don't be silly, if you gave him your heart then you'll be dead." She, after much thought, said, "I would still give him my heart!"

We want to encourage you in the Lord and we are sure that many people around the world are praying for you both.

"Our times are in God's hands"

With much love

anon & anon

Are you misty-eyed? You can guess how I felt! This was a most wonderful tonic and a mild rebuke. I thank God for all the love we receive from you all. Please pray for strength for the coming days, for a faith that grows stronger and deeper and, very practically, for my travels. Travel sickness is an enormous problem to me when I am in good health. I need the Lord to keep me from being sick on the way to Papworth.

Finally a verse: Ps 86:11-13 Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart (or give me an undivided heart ) to fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore. For great is Your mercy toward me, and You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

I am learning that the need for an "undivided heart" is vastly more important than a heart transplant. I am learning never again to say or sing thoughtlessly -"I will praise You ... with all my heart". So great is His mercy towards me that He must have my all. God bless you.

love in Jesus

David and Joanna

Monday 12th August

Hello to you all,

Thanks for your prayers. The past week I have not been so well; very tired, little appetite, low energy, not sleeping well. I get days like that but not usually so many in succession. It may partly be a result of dental work last Tuesday in preparation for Papworth. Thankfully I am feeling a bit better today. I have been advised to rest as much as possible to prepare for next week.

One week from now Joanna and I will be in Papworth (DV). Please pray very much for us over the next two weeks. decisions made by the medical profession and by ourselves will be of enormous significance. Pray for us to know the mind of God at every step and for God to guide the experts in all the decisions they make. We have been very conscious all through this process that our God is in control and "His way is perfect", even though at times we feel the weakness of our faith. I hope to contact you again before we go on Monday.

We will try to keep you informed while we are there, though I have no laptop computer and even if I had, it might be difficult to get online in the hospital. Joanna will phone a few people and hopefully the message will be shared around. (If I am to be given a transplant and away from home for up to 2 months, I would like to be able to use email and web site facilities. I am going to enquire about that when I am over there next week. I don't suppose anyone knows of a basic laptop lying around not being used that I could borrow? )

Your love and prayers are like a rock for us. Thank you for always being there at the Throne on our behalf.

love

David and Joanna

Psalm 90:17 ... let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,

Sunday 18th August

In a few hours we will rise to face Papworth and decision week. I know you go with us in your prayers. God has given me a host of promises from you. Here is just one.

Isaiah 41:9-10 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' NKJV

Who can calm fears like He can? God bless you all this week. We will be in touch soon (DV)

David

Wed 21st Aug. 8.00 pm.

Just a brief note to say we are home safely from Papworth Hospital in England. Thanks for your prayers and all your email messages. I am feeling well but tired.

Papworth confirms that my heart's condition is very poor and I will need a transplant. Tests show that I am a suitable candidate for transplant but not just yet. It is hoped my heart will last a bit longer before the risk and consequences of transplant are faced. When my health deteriorates, I can expect to be placed on the list. I will give a more detailed update later.

Thanks for your prayers. God has been so good.

David and Joanna

 

Sat 24th Aug.

I promised to give you a more detailed update on the Papworth visit. Joanna and I were really upheld by your prayers.

The journey over was really traumatic. I was sick on arrival at Aldergrove and felt very weak before boarding. The flight went fine except for a 15 min delay. A wheelchair had been booked to take me through the Stanstead terminal but, despite repeated requests by airline staff, it did not arrive for 15 - 20 minutes; we waited on board while the plane was being prepared to fly to Ibiza. It took an hour from arrival for us to be brought to the information point. There we were abandoned, despite repeated requests for the ambulance car to be informed that we had arrived. Meanwhile the ambulance driver was on the way back to Papworth. Some frantic phone calls were made and he was asked to return to pick us up.

We arrived hungry, exhausted and late but somehow the staff rescheduled our appointments and tests to make the assessment possible. Some worked late to help us out. Had we arrived much later, the assessment programme would not have been possible and we would have been sent home. Thank you for praying. Joanna was a tremendous support on the journey and in the hospital. She had so much responsibility to carry. She lodged in a little home on the outskirts of the village for two nights.

The assessments done on Monday afternoon were the most physically demanding of the three days, so it was with much apprehension that I began them. Again I was aware of your prayers, for in a remarkable way, I far exceeded what I thought I would be able to do and what the the staff thought I would be capable of. They were impressed, I think, by my determination.

Tuesday was a day full of tests, samples, interviews and assessments. We learned many things about transplant procedures and consequences. In the nicest possible way we were made aware of the high risks involved, the commitments we would be expected to give such as very frequent trips for checkups, the side effects (some most unpleasant) of the medication that I would have to take for life, the life expectancy after transplant and so on. It was made very clear all the way through, that a transplant would only be offered if I was a suitable recipient. So many things could rule me out. It was also clear to us that we were being being assessed to see how we could handle the trauma of transplant. We were asked about support and we were able to tell of the tremendous support we receive from our family, our church and a host of friends at home and abroad. Again I believe they were impressed.

Then the time came late on Tuesday to meet the consultant again to be told the result of the assessment. He is the most gracious and caring man but we went to meet him, wondering what he would say. Was there anything in my blood tests that would come against me? What about those right heart pressures? Would the radioactive scan or the x-rays show up something wrong? What about my lung capacity? Did they think we could cope with all the pressure? Any failure could rule out a transplant. After some questions about my general health, Dr Parameshwar said my heart's condition was very bad and would need a transplant. However he could confirm that I was a very suitable candidate. Though all test results were not back, he had seen enough to be sure that I would make a good recipient. However he went on to explain that transplant surgery has major risks. Some do not survive surgery and 15% do not survive the first very difficult year. A new heart does not last forever and a recipient does well to reach 10 years. In the light of the quality of life I enjoy at present, he was reluctant to take the risk of surgery until it became clear that the balance had shifted. He was not turning me down for transplant - just giving me the opportunity to potentially live longer (and to serve the Lord longer on earth!) I am very grateful for Dr Parameshwar's skills, wisdom and support. Any changes in my health will be carefully monitored and re-evaluation made. I am now in the system.

Meanwhile investigations will continue into my medication and I will be entering hospital sometime soon to test another drug. It is hoped that my health may even show some degree of improvement for a time. Also while I wait, continual research is being done into transplant surgery and rejection drugs; the medical profession is learning all the time. That is bound to benefit me. It is clear that though I am not on the transplant list, any significant deterioration in health will lead to re-assessment. The consultant even indicated that once on the list, he would expect me to get a transplant more quickly than normal.

I found it difficult to sleep on my final night on the ward. Many thoughts ran through my mind but the Lord's peace was something almost tangible. I was even able to observe the transplant preparation procedure in operation as a young man was rushed in to receive a lung transplant. In the end he was sent home again because the donor lung was was not healthy enough.

We came home on Wednesday on an uneventful journey. (The trauma of the outward journey seemed so small when we heard that Joanna's aged uncle had to evacuate down a chute in an emergency landing at Prestwick on Tuesday) We were emotionally and physically exhausted but very thankful to God for all His mercies to us. I was not sick travelling (only on arrival at the airport on Monday morning and I am not sure that travelling was the cause). Joanna was given strength for all the carrying, pushing, walking backwards and forwards to her digs and she never got lost!! (except in the hospital corridors!)

Now we face the future, with confidence in the medical profession, but more importantly, with confidence in our great God. Once again He has proved Himself faithful. He has given us marvellous answers to prayer and has always been there when we called. His grace has never once failed to be sufficient.

Thank you again for all your support. You are very precious to us. May the Lord reward you for all your love and support.

love in Jesus

David and Joanna

9th September

Hi folks

Thanks for praying over the past two weeks. We have appreciated your faithful support. Some days in the past couple of weeks have been hard, physically and emotionally. My health has been not too bad except for those really weak times that keep recurring with little warning. For one reason or another we have been shut in a lot. We had a house full of family here for over a week (and in our small house that means people sleeping on floors or seats!) There were not many quiet corners. I like having them around for it makes life more normal, even if it is tiring for both of us.

Then last week Joanna had to go into hospital for Day surgery under anaesthetic. Kind friends supplied delicious meals for a couple of days and I was able to do everything else. She is still struggling to shake off the effects of anaesthetic. Thankfully all appears to be well with her. Continue to pray that Joanna's health will not suffer because of all the demands my illness places on her.

On Wednesday I will be going into hospital in Craigavon to have changes made to my medication under medical supervision. One new medication in particular is not normally considered for people with my heart condition, but in some cases it has proved to be beneficial. I would love to see some improvement in health but I am also anxious that the balance I have had for the last 4 months will not be upset. Please pray about this.

Wednesday is my birthday - yes 11th September! I thank God for giving me another year. A great many people got up last year on Sept 11th not realising they would never see lunchtime. Since taking ill, very day is precious now to me; one more day to serve the Lord on earth.

Many months ago I had an idea to give every home in Moira a copy of John Blanchard's booklet, "Where was God on Sept 11th?" I had even hoped to be well enough to be directly involved. I have been greatly encouraged that all the churches in Moira have come together for this project and we plan to distribute 2000 copies to the whole village before Wednesday. I was able to have a role in bringing this project together but am delighted that others have done the "spade work".

I must close now but I ask you to pray that we will have grace to keep looking to the Lord. There are many uncertainties and disappointments and if we depend on ourselves we will sink. We must keep looking to Him who loves us eternally and is working all things for good. During these days I have enjoyed Ray Boltz and his music. One of his pieces expresses what we have found true.

"The Anchor holds though the ship is battered,
The Anchor holds though the sails are torn,
I fall down on my knees, as I face the raging seas.
The Anchor holds in spite of the storm."

We bless the Lord for our Saviour, an Anchor who never fails.

love

David and Joanna

16th September

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers over the past days. I was discharged from hospital last night. I am still on a very low dose of a Beta Blocker but appear to be able to tolerate it at the moment. My heart rate fluctuates quite a bit. I am not sure yet what the next step will be because the Consultant has been away. I am feeling rather tired today but glad to be home, not least for Joanna's sake. She is recovering from the surgery and all was successful and clear. But she is very tired and has had a very exhausting weekend. Much of this was my fault because some weeks ago I had made appointments for MOT tests for 2 cars on Saturday. We are deeply grateful for two men in the church who helped so much and were so generous. Please pray for Joanna because she never gets a break from pressure and is looking very tired. I fear what might happen if she took ill. Pray for us to continue to know peace in our hearts. I feel distressed that I cannot be involved directly with people who are in great need. Our dear friend Margaret, a church member, is gravely ill in hospital and I dearly wished I could have gone to visit her but I was told to avoid stress. Perhaps one day soon I will be able to see her but please join us in prayer for her and her husband, who also has very poor health. It is wonderfully reassuring to know that underneath us are the everlasting arms of our God.

Thank you for taking us upon your hearts. God will bless you.

Love in Jesus

David.

PS Another little meditation the Lord has given me for you.

Clay speaks

It is very quiet in the pottery. Sometimes I hear clearly the voice of the Potter but at times like this there are long silences. Nobody is here but the Potter and me.

• I am a handful of clay. Just a handful of sticky clay but I am in the Potter’s hand. With great mercy and love He has lifted me from a mass of sinful humanity. I am chosen by the Potter, not because there is any good in me, but because He is making me a vessel for His glory.
• I am spinning around on the Potter’s wheel. At first it is a slow spin. I am aware of the changes He is making in me. I am being turned from a shapeless lump into something perfectly formed. If He does not keep me in the centre of His will, I might fly off at a tangent and make a mess of everything. But I feel His powerful hand changing me. Life is wonderful.
• I am now spinning faster than before. It seems impossible that I can survive this but He tells me I am safe forever and I feel the assurance of His hands around me. I am learning to trust.
• Now I am being squeezed. I am being forced into a shape I did not expect. Sometimes the pressure is gentle and sometimes it is really firm. I fear this is too much but the Potter tells me He knows how much I can take. He knows what He is making of me. The more I am stretched apart, the more I can be filled to carry blessing to others.
• At some points the spinning stops and the pressure eases. It is now that I feel the pain as he picks out the imperfections that have contaminated me. He cause me to cry in repentance. He deals with the grit of my lack of faith; He removes the little pebbles of pride.
• I am spinning once more and my shape begins to change again. As I grow, I begin to narrow. I have looked around at other pots in the pottery and have envied being like them. I find this all too difficult to understand. Why can’t I be elegant? Why can’t I be given less to carry? It seems I hear Him speak. “All of these you see are fashioned by Me. I have a purpose for each one. But I have stretched you and shaped you like this so that you can carry much and can pour out to others. Others will depend on you to give them what I am sending and together you will all glorify Me. But I am not finished with you yet.”
• John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…
• Isaiah 45:9. “Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' NIV
• Isaiah 64:8. Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. NIV

3rd October

Were you praying for me today? I am sure you were, for again I experienced God's help. In the last update I asked you to pray for Margaret, a dear friend and one of our church members, who was ill. Margaret was taken home to heaven on Tuesday morning. I had the privilege of conducting the service in the home this afternoon - my first whole service since Christmas day! ( I had my consultant's permission and his instruction to be brief!) I am grateful to God for the strength He gave. Thank you for your prayers.

Recently I have been feeling a little stronger. I still have some difficult days (and parts of days) but am generally feeling a bit better. It may be that the additional medication and the reduced fluid tablets are beginning to show some improvement, though Dr Parameshwar from Papworth, who phoned me last Friday, thought I would not necessarily see any improvement in the short term.

This week I have had a DEXA scan to investigate bone density. There cannot be many more parts of me left to take pictures of!

Joanna was very poorly for some days with a terrible cold or "flu" but is recovered from that and is getting back some strength after her anaesthetic. God was good in keeping me from catching what she had.

Other than that, there is not much more to report. We are continuing to pray for God to go before us and show us the path He has planned for us. Your prayers mean more than words can express; your emails, messages, cards and letters are a great encouragement; your practical support is very much appreciated. The Lord bless you.

"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." Heb 6:10

love

David and Joanna

4th November

Hello friends,

Now that things have settled down a bit, I will take time to email you all. First let us say a very, very sincere "thank-you" for praying. God has heard your prayers and been gracious.

During October I have continued to progress steadily and indeed was feeling better than I have felt for a long time. I had much more breath and could walk further without discomfort. I had a setback a week ago but the Lord has given grace and over these days I am beginning to feel more like before. It appears that the additional medication is helping better than the Papworth consultant expected. I pray that this continues.

One month ago I told you I had to have a DEXA scan. That has shown up some osteoporosis in my spine and the beginnings of it in my hips. I am now on medication for that also. It is important to improve the bone structure as much as possible before I receive the anti-rejection medication after transplant. Some of my medication has to be carefully timed before and after eating, but I never miss my meals!! Joanna thanks you for the lovely meals and gifts of food we have received. You are very kind. Continue to pray that Joanna will keep healthy. The whole family need her strength.

We continue to ask for prayer that we might have peace, patience, wisdom and willingness to follow where He leads. God has been ministering to our hearts in so many ways; we know He is in control. Thank you for all your messages, calls, cards and every evidence that you care. I am astounded at the number of people and churches who let me know that they are praying.

God bless you all.

with much love,

David and Joanna.

"I cry to you, O Lord; You are my refuge.... It is You who knows my way."

see the meditation on this verse from Psalm 142 - Tunnel vision

23rd November

Hello everyone

Thank you for all your prayers. It is so encouraging to know you remember us. Sometimes I feel bad about continually bringing our need before you when there are so many others who need our prayers. Yet when I do not write for a while I get emails asking how we are. The Lord bless you for all your love.

Please continue to remember us this week. Things have been rather tough recently. The past two weeks have brought much more "down" than "up" days. Joanna has taken a bad cold and I have felt so weak for the past few days. I am a little stronger today thankfully. Pray that Joanna's cold will clear up without causing her problems and pray that I will avoid getting it.

Today we were twice given real encouragement . First an email arrived from friends with the very helpful verses I have added to the meditations. (see The Will of God.) One of the Bible verses quoted on the email was the very one the Lord gave me last night.

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. (NIV)

Even the living sacrifice of a weak body or a sick body or a frail body or an old body is pleasing to Him who made us for His glory. In view of His great mercy to me, He deserves nothing less than all of me. God does not accept worship that is abstract or mystical; acceptable worship requires us giving Him all we are and have, however weak or strong we are.

The second encouragement came when an "angel" arrived at the door with a big bowl of soup. (He was just one of a few angels who arrive regularly bearing "gifts") He asked if we needed anything from the shop. He was supposed to bring just a loaf but arrived back with bags full of food. He was not to know how empty our fridge was but God knows all and sends His "angels". Thank you, angels.

It is Saturday night here as I write. Wherever you worship the Lord this Sunday around the world, we pray you will experience His blessing. It is so difficult to be kept from meeting with the Lord's people in Moira, so your fellowship in this way means a great deal.

Please pray for our church in Moira. We give thank to God for all His goodness in 2002. New people have come into membership and more are applying; attendances have been good; new ventures have begun; more of us than ever before have got involved in outreach and best of all, God has been pleased to work in salvation and restoration. I know it is good for a church to have Pastoral leadership, ministry, care and vision but this is God’s church and He will build it, with or without a healthy Pastor. Once again please accept our thanks.

with much love

David and Joanna.

see meditations - "The Will of God."

 

27th November

Hello everyone,

Thank you for your prayers since our last email. I thank God for a consultant who has always encouraged me to keep in touch with him. Because I was feeling so weak I contacted him on Monday and he immediately invited me to come to see him today. He arranged for me to have x-ray and ECG done. Then, in spite of being involved in a busy clinic, he took a lot of time with us.

The consultant said that the x-ray etc shows no retention of fluid in the lungs. He has added some additional medication and has planned for me to have another cardiopulmonary test in Belfast within the next couple of months. He will also be in touch with my Papworth consultant to bring him up to date with my condition. A number of issues need to be discussed. In the meantime, I need to avoid pressure and get more rest.

Please continue to pray for us as we continue on this path into the valley. We know it will grow deeper and darker before we arrive in the light again. But we know we have One who walks with us every step of the way.

God continually ministers to our hearts in many ways. We have had a few more "angels" bearing meals; some have sent messages from the heart to our hearts; another of our dear older "angels" last night phoned up with a verse she believed the Lord had giver her for me.

Isaiah 58:8-9 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' NKJV

Then today I met a Pastor in the hospital and another outside the chemist's. They both told me that I am prayed for every week in their church. After the most recent emails I received messages by return from prayer supporters in Canada, Romania and Pakistan; three of the four are people I have never met. God has such a precious family. He continues to use you all.

Pray for Joanna's mother who was very ill over the weekend but seems to be recovering well. Pray for Joanna; the bad cold is clearing up but pray that she will be able to get strength and have more resistance to all the winter "bugs".

Thanks again.

All our love

David and Joanna

Wishing You a Happy Christmas 2002

Joanna and I want to wish you a very Blessed Christmas. You have been a very dear friend throughout 2002. Wherever you are around the world, may the joy of knowing Jesus, the Saviour of the world, thrill your heart today.

Christmas Day for us will be filled with some very mixed emotions. I love the Christmas season and the opportunity to rejoice in Him who was rich but became poor to make me eternally rich! No change in circumstances can rob me of those riches; not even the dramatic changes this year has brought to our lives. It was on Christmas Day 2001 that I last preached in Moira Baptist Church. I still find it difficult to take in, that life can change so suddenly but I bless God for everything He has done. Let me share some of the things I have missed this year and how God is working in everything for good.

I miss Church

I miss Moira Baptist Church so much. For almost 7 years it was what I lived for; even in this past year it has been constantly upon my heart. Recently I have been able to attend services more regularly; usually one service each week. I was delighted to be able to go to the Carol Service last night. We were packed out; standing room only. I enjoy the days when I am strong enough to be able to greet everyone there. They are such good people and have been a wonderful support to us. I love to worship the Lord there. I miss the fellowship. Friends call but sometimes even too many visits are tiring.

So I often find myself in a cell or a desert or by a lonely brook. But just like Paul or Moses or Elijah, I have found that the Lord draws dear. In the secluded places His presence has been precious. He has taught me again the value of personal communion with Heaven. Hanging in my office in the church is a picture of the walk to Emmaus; a reminder that even in our disappointments, the risen Lord Jesus comes personally to be with us. One wonderful thing to come out of a difficult year is the "heart-burning" experience of a closer walk with Him.

I miss Preaching

I miss being a preacher. After 33 years of preaching and teaching, it has been a most strange experience to be kept away from declaring the Word of the Lord. I miss all aspects of pastoral ministry. I believe that all my years of Christian service have been preparation for the role of a Pastor/teacher. Now the Lord has set me aside from that; I trust His purpose is to make me a better pastor.

But I thank the Lord that He has enabled me to continue a degree of ministry this year. I have been able to do a little visiting, but more often the visitation and counselling have been by telephone. Through the medium of email and my web sites ( moirabaptist.org and 2hearts.org.uk ) the Lord has opened doors for me to many people at home and around the world. I have had responses from those who have found blessing through the meditations and messages. I have been able to take a more personal interest in God's work in the wider world and be a " Pastor" to some of God's servants at home and abroad. One of those servants from overseas has graciously described me as "the Pastor of my heart." It has been good to discover that God still wants to use me, even in "weakness".

I miss College

I miss teaching in the Irish Baptist College. It has been an enormous privilege over the years to help prepare men and women for serving the Lord in Ireland and around the world.

This year I became a student. I have had to go back to "college" to learn new lessons and revise some I thought I had mastered. I had hoped that I could have avoided one particular teacher - his class is the most unpopular in college; nobody chooses to be a student of his. It seems his classes are always the longest. I had seen some leave bitter and disturbed and some never moved out of that class. I am in his class now but I am not alone. My Friend has been with me every day. He has been through this class long before me and had passed it without a single failure. I am learning things I could not have learned from any other teacher. The teacher's name is Suffering and my Friend is my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. What am I learning? - to walk by faith and not by sight.

I miss the Workshop

Here I am with more time on my hands than I have ever had in my life; time to do all those DIY projects in the house and the garden; time to enjoy landscape photography or wood-turning hobbies; time to take my grandchildren to all those places we never had time to visit. But there is a limited landscape from our window. Once our garden was on the edge of the countryside but now is overlooked by new two-story homes. Limited energy restricts travelling: rarely do I travel further than Lurgan or Moira. And as for those practical projects! I just cannot attempt them. I am thankful to be able to use the computer and to do a little oil painting, but the garage remains locked, the lathe is silent and the projects wait for me to regain my health.

And yet I have found myself in a workshop - God's workshop. He is fashioning me for a purpose that He has in mind. I have felt the squeeze of the Potter's Hand; I have known the heat of the Refiner's fire; I have been shaken as the Sculptor has chipped away the bits in me that are not pleasing to Him. The process is ongoing and I sometimes He gives me glimpses of what He wants me to be and assures me that " He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10. God never produces "seconds" from His workshop, nor does He leave projects unfinished.

I miss Travel

We have never travelled on typical foreign holidays, preferring holidays in Ireland or Scotland. (Is Scotland foreign?) Very kind friends sent us to the Holy Land some years ago and our church paid for a holiday in Florida in '96. In our days with CEF, our work took us to quite a number of European countries. In more recent times, kind friends have taken us to minister in Romania, India and Nepal. Those trips have been highlights in our lives. If ever we were able to travel abroad again, we knew the places we wanted to go.

But suddenly the door to such ministry opportunities has closed; some likely to be closed permanently because of the health risks even after transplant. I remember my first thought, as I listened to the doctor telling me the nature of my illness, was " I can never go back to India". Whether I minister abroad again is in the Lord's hand but He has opened a door to the world for me. I am astounded at the opportunities He has given me to minister to hearts over the internet and amazed at the international nature of my prayer support team. This message goes all over the world; I am prayed for regularly and faithfully in places as diverse as Australia, USA, Canada, Peru, Brazil, Switzerland, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Romania, Spain and France, in addition to every corner of the British Isles. I have found very supportive friends through the Web and have been able to minister to many who in turn need support. These all are people I would never have met or had time to help if I had been a busy Pastor. I would ask you to pray particularly for the ministry of the 2hearts web site. I want to be used by the Lord to point others to the One who never fails.

I miss Children

I have left children to the last. (When have I ever done that?) Anyone who knows me, knows that children have a very special place in my heart. I have a host of little friends; first my grandchildren, Adam and Debbie, who are very special and whom we love to have with us. Then there are all those children in Moira Baptist; I have had the privilege of holding more that 50 new babies born to church folk over the past 8 years! I miss those times together in Sunday morning services when I used to be surrounded by a sea of little ones. We would sit together on the platform steps and talk about the Saviour. I miss those special services when the focus would be exclusively on teaching children.

Sometimes little children come to visit me and bring their Mummy with them. Recently I had very special visitors when my "little" friends Jed and Ethan arrived together. (Very premature babies who will always remain on my heart) Some days when I get out to church I feel like the Pied Piper. Little ones want to hug me, give me sweets or present pictures that they have drawn of me or for me. I know that many of them pray for me every night. I was moved to tears when one nine year-old girl actually said I could have her heart! I know of street children, rescued from the sewers of Romania, who pray for my heart. I believe God is answering the prayers of children. As adults, we look on the challenges posed by transplant surgery but children simply ask God for a new heart for me, without all that hesitancy. One of the good things God has taught me, and used children to teach me, is the power of prayer; we have seen the most amazing answers to prayer this year.

I never intended this message to be so long. In writing to you, I have discovered how much I have been missing this year but I have also discovered how much I have gained. Has this been a wasted year? Certainly not. The year ahead may be an even more crucial one, but the grace that overflowed to us in 2002 will not dry up in 2003.

We have buried some dreams this year and maybe there will be more dreams to bury, but the Lord knows my heart. I want only to live for Him. I can never again sing without sincerity "All for Jesus … all I am and have and ever hope to be". And if, through my illness, I have helped one person this year to have a deeper faith in God, them it has been worthwhile.

Thank you for your love to Joanna and to me.

The Lord will reward you. Hebrews 6:10.

Love in Jesus

David

Tuesday 14th January 2003

I have just received the expected cardiopulmonary test appointment. I have to go to the Royal Victoria Hospital on Monday 20th at 2.50 pm. On previous occasions I was very aware that people were praying; actually in prayer while I took the test. On both occasions I was given strength to do what otherwise I could not do. I need your help and support again. This test is crucial in determining whether I am any closer to the point where I must be given a transplant.

Please pray, not only for me on the test (it is very demanding physically) but for those who will decipher the data produced and make a report for my consultants.

Please pray also for this 2hearts web site. Maybe even sign the guest book. I would be delighted if you could help in any way to spread the news of the site so that others can be encouraged to turn to God in their hour of need. The pages are being used by the Lord already.

Thank you once more for your faithfulness and love.

love in Jesus

David and Joanna

Peace be still

Mark 4:39-41. Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"

Circumstances make waves in our lives. Waves make us uncomfortable, hinder our vision and cause us to have doubts. It is impossible to be still in a storm - unless we hear Jesus saying "Peace, be still". Sometimes He stills the waves, changes the circumstances and works a miracle. But other times He demonstrates the mighty power of His grace that stills our hearts in the midst of the storm.

When the danger comes, sometimes we want to run but He says "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today." Exodus 14:13 NKJV.
When faced with uncertainty, sometimes we want to rush but He says "Sit still, my (child), until you know how the matter will turn out." Ruth 3:18 NKJV
When things don't appear to be changing, we want to resist but He says "Be still (lit. take your hands off), and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10.
How wonderful to know that we have an ever present help in trouble. Because He is there in our storm, we can be still." Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." Ps 46:2-3. What a storm! What a peace!

The disciples were slow to learn that when Jesus was on board, no storm was too great to go through. Their faith faltered and they needed His rebuke. "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"

"Lord, remove my fear of the storm. Keep repeating to me "Peace, be still" and maybe one day You will want to still the waves for me too."

23rd January 2003

I was very aware of God's help in answer to your prayers. For 4 or 5 days before Monday I was in very poor form physically and emotionally. I was not looking forward to the cardiopulmonary test and expected to be unable to do anything similar to what I had been able to do in June and in August at Papworth. God enabled me to keep going until the staff were able to record the data that was required.

I am aware that exercise tolerance is not enough and the vital data is now being assessed. It is this information that will determine whether a transplant can be put off any longer. I do not know how soon I will hear the results - last time it took several weeks. I am content to leave decisions in the hands of my consultants, knowing that you are praying with me for God's hand and His timing in all of this.

Thank you again for you support and encouragement. I will be in touch very soon with an important update.

God bless you

David and Joanna

Tonight some friends called from abroad with a very special promise for us.
Jeremiah 29:11 "I know the plans I have for you" says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." NLT

1st February 2003

400 days.

Today is the 400th day of my illness! No, I am not so bored that I am resorting to counting days. I was thinking recently how God knows all my days and realised that not one of the past 400 days was a surprise to Him.

"You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God!" Psalm 139:16,17.NLT

I want to thank God for His love every day. Some days were so dark that it was difficult to see Him or hear Him but He was always there, ever faithful; pouring in His grace and clothing me in His peace.

I want to thank Joanna for her love and devotion. She has had a particularly demanding 400 days. She does all the driving and all the work. Even her own health concerns have been set aside to care for me. She is constantly on "call". She is my rock, my wisdom, my encourager and my best friend. Her birthday is tomorrow; we will celebrate it in style in the Cottage Grange Hilton!

I want to thank all of you for your love. Every day we are conscious of the prayers of our friends and families. I don't remember a day in the last 400 when we were not asked how we were or sent a message to encourage us. We have received many hundreds of phone calls, over 200 cards and letters, hundreds and hundreds of emails, many visitors and many very kind practical gifts. We thank every one of you.

And what about day number 401 and all the days to come in His will? We are cast upon David's God.

"You chart the path ahead of me .. you both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head". Psalm 139:3,5.

"When I wake up in the morning You are still with me". Psalm 139:18.

with much love to you all

David and Joanna

PS I have not yet heard the results of my cardiopulmonary test.

 

2nd March 2003

It has been some time since you heard from us. We thank you again for your faithful prayer support.

We have received the results of the cardiopulmonary test. They show that the alteration in drug therapy begun last September is keeping my heart functioning. This is what my consultants hoped would happen and means that we do not have to go down the road of transplantation just yet. This is good news.

My local consultant assures me that I will be closely monitored and my consultant in Papworth has assured me that I am "in the system" and immediately my condition reaches a certain point I will be put on the transplant list.

We continue to await God's timing and thank Him for the grace of patience that He is working in our lives.

The Lord sent us these verses today:
"Against all hope, Abram in hope believed.......just as it had been said to him.
Yet he did not waver in unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in the faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He had promised."
Romans 4:18,20&21.


David and Joanna McFarland

 

13th July 2003

Hello friends
It is a while since I have been in touch. Thank you for continuing to pray for us. I am grateful to God for His gracious hand upon me. It is now more than 18 months since I was diagnosed with heart failure and over a year since I was told that a heart transplant was my only hope. From a health point of view, the past weeks have been quite encouraging. Most days I have kept quite well. Some days I have even been able to do a little more than normal, though on other days I am very easily tired. I am still confined almost entirely to home. The medication continues to help and I am sustained by your prayers. Joanna too is grateful for your support. Continue to pray for us through this time of waiting for transplant.

We have had a number of illnesses in the family. My Mum had another brief hospital stay but Joanna's Mum has been in hospital twice in recent months and her health continues to give cause for concern.

My Pastoral ministry in Moira Baptist Church came to an end on 30th April. The strange providences of life would be terribly difficult to accept, if I did not have an unshakable belief that God is sovereign. As Hudson Taylor wrote once to his mother, “The Lord reigns; trials cannot rob me of this unchanging source of joy and strength.” It is not easy to understand why God should allow an illness to take me so suddenly from the ministry I loved but His way is perfect. Though I am no longer Pastor, we are still members there and plan to worship and serve there as health permits and as the Lord directs. I will continue to look after Moira Baptist web ministry as long as I have strength.

We have been placed in a situation we have never been in before. This is the first break in almost 35 years of "full-time" ministry; the first time ever to be unemployed. The future path for us has not yet been revealed but I know that in God's time we will hear His voice and see His next step for us. I have been thinking a lot about Elijah at Kerith recently; what grace and patience he must have been given! Pray for similar grace and peace for us for each day. see the meditation "If only you knew .... "

Thank you for praying for the opportunities God is giving me to continue to serve Him in a voluntary way. It is wonderful to be able to minister to others without leaving home. Through the internet, I have been privileged to meet and support families around the world who face the trauma of heart illness. God has introduced me to people I would otherwise never have met and I am praying that He will use me to tell many of our great Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Pray for contacts I have recently made with heart transplant people in Ireland; one had a transplant a few months ago and another is in a similar position to myself.

I would appreciate your help to spread the news of this 2hearts web site. There were over 2000 visits to the site in the first 6 months. Posters are freely available for putting up in any appropriate location. I am also anxious to have a body of people who would be willing to become 2hearts prayer partners. From time to time I have urgent prayer needs to share and if you would feel able to join us, I would appreciate you contacting me. Why not click this link and let me know now if you wish to join the 2hearts prayer support team or if you can use a poster.

Other aspects of present ministry include supporting and encouraging the Lord's servants in lesser known ministries. These friends include Oana in the Potter's House in Romania and Sam and Victoria in Duncan Academy in India. In both situations there are great needs and I encourage you to join me in praying for them. For the moment both can be easily found on the missions section of Moira Baptist web site though I am working on developing a web ministry for them.

I continue to have great fellowship with friends around the world. Just recently I learned of the sudden death of a true friend in Canada. For the past year he has been one of my greatest encouragers. We met because he found my Moira Baptist web site on the internet. (He had married a girl from Moira many years ago and was looking for Moira links) Despite having tremendous physical problems, he was in touch every few days to make sure I was doing OK. Now he has his reward in the Saviour’s presence but I am going to miss his support.

I continue to have opportunities to minister on a personal level with quite a number of dear friends who face difficult days or challenging situations. I would appreciate your prayers for this ministry, that I will be strong enough physically and emotionally to give these friends the support they need.

God has encouraged me by allowing me to "meet" a number of others in the Lord's work who have had heart or liver transplants and are ministering again. So I am encouraged to keep trusting God for a future ministry, whatever and wherever that is.

Thank you again for your love and care. The Lord bless you.

A lesser known verse from "How great Thou art"

When burdens press, and seem beyond endurance,
Bowed down with grief, to Him I lift my face:
And then in love He brings me sweet assurance:
"My child! For thee sufficient is My grace".

Your friends in the grace of God,

David and Joanna

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever." Psalm 73:26. (NIV)

 

24th December 2003

Joanna and I write to wish you a very Happy Christmas and a blessed New Year. We also want to say a very sincere thank you for all your love and support throughout 2003. We know you pray faithfully and that means so much to us. God has been wonderfully answering your prayers.

Over the past six months or so, there has been a distinct improvement in my health. The medication given as an experiment is now beginning to show real benefits. While I am still very easily tired, I can be a little more active and have more good days than poor ones. The Doctor has been very pleased with my progress and I have not needed any medical attention this year other than quarterly visits to my GP. In August 2002, the Consultants gave me more time before going on the transplant list and I am so glad they did. Pray that this medication will continue to improve my health.

At the end of October, Joanna and I were able to travel to the Mountains of Mourne (about an hour from home) and spend a weekend in a friend’s home. It was our first opportunity to see the mountains and the sea for more that two years! God is so good.

Joanna continues to keep quite well and gets the strength to keep going. The past two years have brought tremendous demands upon her, so please continue to pray for her health. Both our families have had medical problems over the year, particularly Joanna’s mother. Bereavements in her family and ongoing health problems have made this a difficult year for her.

I thank the Lord for the ministry He continues to give me. The 2hearts web site gives great encouragement. Over 5,800 hits have been recorded on the site in the first year. Fourteen heart children are now featured. I am in close contact with several other families who request anonymity. Pray for one Northern Ireland man called “B….” who has just gone on the transplant list in the UK. A mother contacted me this morning to ask to join 2hearts; she has just had a second daughter receive a new heart! Pray for Lucia in Romania. She will be one year old on 31st Dec. God has graciously enabled me to have a part in getting surgery for her in Italy; doctors there will operate on her early in the New year. One mother wrote last week saying “We really do appreciate all you guys do for everyone on 2 hearts. You are very special people, and have given me strength when I did not think I had any left.” Pray that God will continue to use us to make Christ known to many.

My computer is my link to the outside world and it had been behaving erratically. One evening dear friends arrived with wonderful surprise - a new state-of-the-art computer and accessories. In various ways, others have generously supported the web ministry. We are testing Broadband at the moment and it is a fantastic help. We are really moved by all this kindness and thank God for this opportunity to serve Him.

God has allowed me to serve Him in other areas: Duncan Academy in India with its web site. www.duncanacademy.net ; the Chosen Foundation working with street children in Timisoara, Romania; I was humbled to be asked to be Hon. President of the charity Chosen NI. www.chosenni.org . We try to support and encourage a number of local people and overseas missionaries for whom 2003 has been a difficult year.

This has been a year of new challenges. We are deeply grateful to all who have ministered to us in very practical ways. God has used each one to meet our need. The kindnesses shown are too numerous to mention but every gift and encouragement is known to God and will receive His reward. Some have already received their reward, for during the year a number of dear friends have gone to be with Jesus – three of them within hours of each other. We feel the loss; how much more their families! Pray for them.

Thank you for all your prayers. Every one is appreciated. If your church prays for us, please let them know how very grateful we are. We will try to keep you informed of how God is working in our lives.

With much love and very sincere thanks,

 

Yours in grace

 

David and Joanna

 

 

Six windows and a widow

“I am bored, frustrated to be so curtailed, lonely despite the company, unable to travel much beyond these four walls, impatient to return to ministry, tired of this meagre unchanging diet and wondering how and when all of this is going to end.” I sometimes wonder if Elijah ever thought or spoke these words during his long stay in Zarephath. James says he was “as human as we are” (James 5:17 NLT) so how terribly difficult was that long period of isolation, both for him and for the widow who cared for him. Yet we never hear of him ever having a “pity party” in Zarephath.

During the past two years of illness, Elijah has become like a best friend to me. I have learned so much from him about being a servant of God. I have sat with him in his little room on the rooftop in Zarephath, watched him closely and have tried to walk with God as he did. I have looked with him through the six little windows that God opened into his circumstances and have seen the sunbeams of grace that lit up his darkness.

Window 1. God's providence

“I am here in the will of God – He brought me to this place.” Elijah was in the exact place God had planned for him to be. However difficult the situation, this secluded home was God’s appointment.

My circumstances are no accident. Like the Psalmist, I often ask “Why?” and “How long, O Lord?” but I have never doubted that my God is sovereign; He is Lord of my life and this place is what He has planned for me.

Sometimes the other windows darken but God has graciously kept this one bright. It is enough to bathe in the sunlight of grace and wait for the others to open again.

Window 2. God’s Protection.

“I am safe here in God’s hiding place.” Despite the most intense and protracted national manhunt, Ahab never traced Elijah. He was protected and secure.

Beyond the walls of my “hiding place” I hear the enemy try to sow doubts and shoot arrows of discouragement, but I am well protected as I hide in the One who is my refuge. He is keeping me spiritually, emotionally and physically.

Window 3. God’s Provision

“I am provided for”. There was no store cupboard at Zarephath but there was always sufficient. God had commanded the widow to share her home and food; every day she gave him the last of what she had. How wonderfully God provided for Elijah; at Kerith he was fed by a most unlikely source – ravens; at Zarephath by a most unexpected source – a widow with only enough for one last meal; and in the wilderness by a most unearthly source –an angel.

God has wonderfully provided for us. We will never forget the “ravens, widows and angels” who have been so good to us throughout this year. May God reward them for their love and generosity.

Window 4. God’s blessing

“I am being used here”. Zarephath may have seemed like an open prison; any contact with the outside world was impossible, yet even there Elijah was used by God to bring life to a dead child and to turn a mother again to God.

Joanna and I have seen amazing answers to prayer in our own situation and in others. God has shown us that we can minister from our weakness. We wait with expectancy to see all that God will do through this period.

Window 5. God’s Preparation

Elijah must have been conscious that God still had a ministry for him after the seclusion of Zarephath. He was to emerge from there to make a mighty impact for God in a nation that had sinned so grievously.

I have a firm conviction that the Lord has promised that my ministry is not over. On the human level, it appears strange that the Lord would take me out of ministry to make me a better servant of His, but I know His way is perfect. I believe He is preparing me for a ministry that will bring Him greater glory and this weakness is an essential part of the preparation.

Window 6. God’s perfect plan

Right at the beginning, Elijah had told the King that the rain would cease for “these years”. I don’t suppose he knew it would be three and a half years of waiting but He knew that one day God would refresh the land again. He was able to look out of his window and say “I will be brought out of here - how and when He chooses”. But for the moment Elijah must do what God said and “stay there”.

I have no way of knowing how long God wants me to wait; my last time to preach was on Christmas day 2001. But I know that He whose way is perfect will make my way perfect, and I pray that I will still glorify Him, whatever His plan is for me.

Six windows – but don’t forget the widow.

She was God’s servant, doing God’s will and being God’s tool in shaping a man of God. I often wonder how she coped with this strange guest around the house all day; it can’t have been easy. She remains in the background; we do not know her name but heaven knows and heaven rewards.

How I thank God for Joanna and her ministry to me. I thank God for family and friends who mean the world to us. All are “widows” who keep reminding me to look through the windows. I see the sunbeams of grace. Is that the first cloud of blessing on the horizon? I don’t know but it will come some day!

25th February 2004

Dear friends,
Joanna and I want to thank you for your prayers today. I had an appointment with my consultant this morning. He was very impressed with the progress I have made. He is making some adjustments to my medication, principally increasing the medication that appears to have helped this past year. He is hopeful that if this progress continues, I might be able to return to some level of work! It all depends on the results of another cardiopulmonary test in the near future.

How gracious God is to hear our prayer and to answer in His way and His time. There has been a distinct improvement in my quality of life since the New Year. I have been able to go out more. It was wonderful to be able to attend church again recently and go out with friends. We even were able to spend some days at the seaside in January, thanks to the great kindness of some friends. Your prayer support means so much to us. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

I include a little meditation "Disappointment Road" from 2hearts written last year at Easter. We pray you may know the joy of the Risen Lord Jesus with you as you walk the paths of 2004.

Yours in the grace of our wonderful Lord,

David and Joanna

13th March 2004

Dear praying friends,

Thank you once again for your prayers. The cardiopulmonary test last Wednesday was more demanding physically than on previous occasions but I was given strength to complete it successfully. First impressions would indicate that there may have been an improvement in my condition, though results have to be fully analysed. I hope my consultant will be pleased at the progress and be able to give me an encouraging report.

The medication changes are causing some tiredness. I need to rest more but my GP says that this is to be expected. Please pray that my body will quickly adapt.

I am honoured, even in weakness, to serve the Lord. He has set me aside from one much loved ministry and given me another that I can do in spite of weakness. He enables me to minister in the most wonderful places. Thank you for praying for 2hearts. Pray on for Lucia in Romania and Abdu in Uganda and all the others on 2hearts. Pray for their families. I believe God is opening remarkable doors, not just to provide medical support in some cases but also spiritual support. I cannot at this point share details but I believe we are seeing God at work in hearts. I am so grateful for your fellowship in prayer. It is really remarkable what God has done.

The Lord in mercy saved me 49 years ago today. I praise Him for all His grace to me and for all He is doing in me. I have been privileged to experience something of the refining of God. A member of my prayer support group from Canada sent me this yesterday:

Isa. 48:10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." Unbelievably strange work this. Surely he would choose us when we're at our "Sunday-go-to-meeting" best. Maybe he would chose us in a time of high holiness and soteriological joy? No! It is here in this sooty old furnace of human suffering that He ordains and empowers us to serve Him.

I love what Spurgeon wrote about Isa. 48:10. “It is no mean thing to be chosen of God,” he wrote. “God’s choice makes chosen men choice men....We are chosen, not in the palace, but in the furnace. In the furnace beauty is marred, fashion is destroyed, strength is melted, glory is consumed; yet here eternal love reveals its secrets, and declares its choice.”

Thanks again for your love and your prayers. Your email messages are wonderfully encouraging and all the practical tokens of your love are deeply appreciated.

with much love

David and Joanna

27th June 2004

Dear friend,
The past week has been a significant milestone for me. It was on 24th June 2002 that I was told I would need a heart transplant, and immediately plans were set in motion. Assessment confirmed my need of a transplant but I could wait a little longer. Two years later, we give thanks to God for His grace and goodness. Instead of the expected deterioration, He has graciously given me some improvement in my health, particularly in recent months. The advice of the medical profession is that the transplant can be "put on the long finger" - (postponed until later) Another test is planned to confirm that prognosis. I know I still have a long way to go, whatever path the Lord has for me to follow, but it is wonderful to begin to feel I can do more. This is a remarkable answer to prayer, so I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you around the world for your faithful, believing prayer. I acknowledge the support of the medical profession and the effectiveness of the medication but I am convinced that God has been pleased to hear and answer prayer. Who can tell what He yet has in store for us?

Better health has enabled us to do some things we have been unable to do for years. Kind friends gave us their apartment, enabling us to spend some time by the sea. We hope to go again and enjoy the benefit of the sea shore over the summer, thanks to others who have offered their home or caravan. It is so wonderful to be able to do some "normal" things again.

Pray for us as we continue to face an unknown future. Had I been placed on the heart transplant list in 2002, I might well have been back to work long ago. Yet I am at peace that this is the way God has chosen for me. Life is not without its frustrations but God is faithful and gives daily grace and a sense of purpose. I still desperately miss the public ministry that consumed my life for 34 years but clearly that is not possible at present. I remember that Paul saw his prison cell as a "missionfield". I am still involved in serving the Lord on the internet. Recently, God has opened the way for me to be more effective in supporting the Lord's work around the world, by offering a web service for ministries with limited resources. I now design and maintain web sites for six ministries, in addition to my 2hearts site, and I provide web hosting to a number of those ministries. You can see the new 2hearts ministries web site on http://2hearts.co.uk Please pray for this ministry; pray that I will have the strength to keep 8 web sites going!

Thank you once again for everything you mean to us. I am touched to hear so often from many of you. We know that we are remembered daily by many at the Throne of grace. We email less often than before, but appreciate your prayer support more than ever. We will keep you informed of any further developments. God bless you.

I shelter in the dubious shade of a desert bush and watch Moses with his sheep. I listen to his prayer. (Psalm 90. - I believe Moses may well have written this during his first desert experience.) I hear him say after 40 years of apparent uselessness, "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations". Moses, the man who could have risen to rule Egypt, was removed to this dry, lonely desert for a generation. He knows all about failure, frustration and frailty, yet he has persevered for forty years. He says he is still "dwelling at home" with God. What faith!

"By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible." Hebrews 11:27.

It can be difficult sometimes to see God in the shimmering heat of the "desert." Moses calls me closer and says:
I look back and see my failure but faith sees a merciful God (V14) who will restore our joy.
I look around and see the frustration of strange providences but faith sees One who abundantly satisfies, whatever the frustrations. (v14)
I look ahead and can see only "four-score years" (Psalm 90:10 KJV) but faith sees the God who is eternal and who gives eternal "beauty" to His children.(v17)
I look within and see my frailty but faith sees that God has a plan for our lives, despite our frailty; indeed it is the frail that God uses ( even on his last day living in the desert, Moses struggled to believe God could use him again.)

Moses reminds me that our God never changes, whatever our circumstances. He is creator, sovereign, judge; His plans cannot fail. We can persevere in the deserts of life if we keep our eyes on the One who is invisible. When we see Him, we can see beyond the barren, inhospitable desert and say:

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendour to their children. May the favour of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands."
Thank you Moses for teaching me to keep looking in the right direction - to Him who is invisible.
Pray that I keep looking.

with love

David and Joanna

My fiftieth (second) birthday!

Sunday 13 March 1955 is a very special date in my life. 50 years ago this Sunday night, I knelt in the little vestry of Dungannon Baptist Church and cried out to the Lord to save me. In mercy He heard me, from sin He save me, by His grace He made me His child and for all these years he has been my Lord, my Saviour and my friend.

How graciously He has taught me; how richly He has blessed me; how faithfully He has kept me; how patient He has been, and is being, with me. I am astounded that He should choose me and call me to Himself and send me to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. 1Timothy 1: 12 “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service …….. the grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”. God called me into Christian ministry in 1968 and since then I have endeavoured to serve Him wherever He has led me. By His grace, I still seek to serve Him, even if my ministry is now less “active” than before.

Since I last wrote in detail about my health, God has done great things for us. There has been a considerable gradual improvement throughout 2004 and I am continuing to experience God’s touch. In recent months I have been able to get out more, including attending my church in Moira most Sunday mornings. I have had the privilege of taking a small part in a few services (and I’m even beginning to dream of being able to “preach” again one day). I get continual reminders, however, that my body is weak and I have to know when it is best to rest. I am waiting for an appointment with my Consultant and will be very interested to hear his prognosis. One year ago he said the transplant could safely be put on “the long finger”. I would like to know how long the finger is but only God knows that. Continue to pray for grace to wait patiently.

Generous friends have made it possible for us to enjoy breaks by the sea in the past year. Through the kindness of another friend, I have been encouraged me to renew my interest in landscape photography. A new digital camera has given me an incentive to get out into God’s beautiful world. We have been encouraged and helped in numerous ways by so many of you. God will reward you all. Thank you.

My web ministry continues to dominate my life at home. I now have 11 web sites to maintain and I am beginning to realise that I can’t keep on expanding at this rate. My 2hearts ministry in particular keeps me extremely busy. Over 40 families around the world need individual support and the sites receive more than 10,000 hits every week. Please pray for this sphere of service that the Lord has opened to me; pray that my witness might be clear and effective and that the Lord will be glorified. One mother recently wrote, “WE NEED YOU!!! Your ministry brings so many to God. It is saving many and so you are still needed here.” It is heart-breaking to be introduced to others tossed by life’s storms who “have no belief in any God” and who “would rather not hear anything about God …..” Pray for my heart to touch others for the Saviour and for wisdom to know what to say in each situation.

Since this ministry is totally voluntary, I am deeply grateful to all whose kindness makes it possible. It has been suggested that I might take opportunities to speak of the ministry in meetings or to have a stand at Missionary Conferences and I am open to that possibility if I continue to have strength. A lot will depend on what the consultant says.

As you know I have a passionate interest in Moira Baptist Church and I urge you to pray with us as we continue to seek God's leading for a new Pastor. God is doing great things in our church. I was preaching through a series on Acts when I was suddenly taken out of ministry. The title I gave the series was "A church without walls". I am thrilled to see, that while the church has taken a decision to build more walls to accommodate all the activities, they are really growing as a "church without walls" and impacting the community as never before. My public ministry came to an end but God is control and His work prospers. Praise Him!

I have recently felt that I ought to share what God has given me with others, because this is the Lord’s work and not mine. I had kept many of my original children’s talks to myself, so that I could use them with freedom in my ministry. I have to recognize that I may never have a wide public ministry again and so I am beginning to share them on the web (maybe in a book some day!) They are now on a new developing web site called 2hearts Bible Ministry – http://bible.2hearts.co.uk along with some simple Bible study outlines etc. I hope they may be profitable to someone and used for God’s glory

 

Psalm 107
28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. 29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. 31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.

Since I was struck down with heart failure at the end of 2001, there have been many storms in my life - storms you know about and others of which you are probably not aware. But my testimony is that God stills the storm to a whisper and my conviction is that He will do the same for those we still endure or have yet to face.

Joanna and I want to thank you for your support in these storms. Your prayer support has been a constant source of encouragement. Just today I met a lady in our village who said, “I pray for you every day”. I have long since lost count of the number of folks who have told me that, but they are found all around the world. From the heart, I say “Thank you”. I appreciate that you pray, even when we are not in touch regularly or when there are needs we do not share publicly. Many of you share our news with others in church prayer meetings etc. Please thank these folk sincerely. We are constantly reminded that God is pleased to hear your prayers.

I urge you to pray for Joanna, too. These three years have placed enormous demands upon her. I really appreciate and admire all she has done and continues to do for me and for our family. She also has a ministry that is not publicly known and needs grace and strength every day.

Thank you for your faithfulness and love.

Yours because of grace,

David and Joanna

September 2005

Dear friends,
Some of you have been reminding me that it is some time since I gave you an update. I thank you sincerely for your concern and for all your prayers since I last wrote.

There have been no major developments in my condition except that I continue to gain strength and confidence. I have had a really good summer, doing things I have been unable to do for years. We travelled to Ballycastle, to Bushmills and to Newcastle (for those of you not from Ireland, all are around an hour to an hour and a half from home and all by the sea) where dear friends loaned us their holiday accommodation. We had our grandchildren with us each time so there was plenty to do!!! As long as I paced myself and kept within my limits, I was able to cope most days. I do not have so many bad days as in the past but did have one last Sunday, just to remind me what it used to be like! On the whole I am keeping well. I saw my GP yesterday for a check-up and he is very pleased with my heart, lungs and blood pressure and has lengthened the period for my check-up to every 6 months, so that helps with confidence.

I am able now to get out to church a bit more and have a little involvement in church life. In fact I have been asked to preach in Moira Baptist on Sunday morning 9th October. I would really appreciate your prayers for that day. It will be my first Sunday sermon for almost 200 weeks! Pray for my voice to hold out. (one of the problems is if I talk too much my voice weakens) Pray that I will be able to do it without stressing my heart and most of all, pray that the Lord will be glorified. It will be emotional for me and for all my friends in Moira but I want the focus to be, not on me but on the Saviour and for the occasion to be a mighty testimony to God's grace.

Please pray for my church. It is beginning a series of studies during October to December on "Our Purpose in Christ Jesus". It is based on the church in Acts 2 and I hope to help just a little with that. The Elders have a great vision for the future of the church and it is thrilling to see Moira Baptist Church moving forward. These are very exciting days. God is blessing us with evidence of his grace in hearts and lives, a growing congregation, more baptisms and new members. It is particularly encouraging to see the church reaching out to the community in new ways and I am delighted to see the young people getting even more involved in mission at home and abroad. Please join us in prayer as we seek to find God's man to Pastor the Church.

The 2hearts ministry is busier than ever with support given to almost 70 families around the world who face the trauma of heart illness. Nearly 25% of them are heart transplant families. Let me share one example. Julie from USA is 18 and has been told she needs a new heart very soon. She was taken to surgery a couple of weeks ago, went to sleep thinking she was getting a transplant but at the last minute the donated heart was discovered to be defective. She woke thinking she had a new heart only to realise the truth. But she is a most lovely Christian girl and her faith is remarkable. Please pray for her.

The website ministry continues to give me opportunities to serve the Lord from home. I am staggered at the impact, with half a million hits per year. Eternity alone will reveal all that God has done. He encourages me from time to time as people testify to finding spiritual help from the sites. I still manage the web ministry for Moira Baptist as well as four sites of my own. My latest allows me to indulge in my hobby of taking landscape photographs and even try to use it to witness for the Saviour http://photo.2hearts.co.uk A friend recently took my grandchildren and me up for a short helicopter flight over our villages. What a thrill. Some photos are on the site. ( No, I did not ask the Doctor's permission! He might have said no! )

I manage five mission sites, a site for a very special little girl and have two more ministry sites under development for friends. I help a good friend in Australia who runs a support organisation for heart children to produce some graphics for her sites. And this week a dear brother called Aidan, who has a powerful ministry in USA, has told me his webmaster is no longer able to help. I don't know yet whether it is practically possible to help him but I cannot allow his web ministry to fall apart. I'm out of breath just thinking about this. I've just counted and there are 14 web sites I am already responsible for, in addition to others in which I have a part !! And I have had no training; I am a rank novice with basic resources and I do it all voluntarily. I would like to learn to do this properly but I'm not sure if I can cope with the study required. Thanks to the support of my church and a few friends, I can even provide free hosting for many of the sites. This enables these missions to use their income directly in evangelism.

I was honoured recently to be invited to become a Trustee of a very special ministry called Assisting Children's Evangelists Worldwide - a branch of Child Evangelism Fellowship. It is the ministry of my long time friend Sam Doherty. He provides training manuals and Bible lessons for more than 6000 teachers in 135 countries around the world. All this literature is provided free. Much of it is also translated overseas into 43 other languages and provided for a further 20,000 children's workers. Please pray for the team as they continue to develop this ministry around the world.

I continue to help where I can with other ministries in Romania and India. I try to give pastoral support to Christian friends at home and abroad who face great challenges. How I wish I could travel to them and have direct involvement, particularly in India where there is such potential and so much need. But email and telephone at least keep me in touch with dear friends and I do what I can.

So life is busy. If I was a pastor I could never do all this. I do not know what God has planned for my future ministry but I am amazed that He wants to use me. Last night a friend in ministry from USA, who is suffering terrible health and other problems wrote "It was so lovely to speak to you brother- what an encouragement you are to so many... Spurgeon - in a wonderful book...the writer said - he healed more though he was not a doctor- but because of how he suffered... and so yours will be known in eternity- that the Master chose this time to use you in lives of people you never would have met, or known ." I am humbled to think that God still has work for me to do for Him.

I know God has His perfect plan for me - it is often painful, in many ways puzzling, and even petrifying at times - but perfect. I do not know what the future holds. Three years ago the doctors said they would try through medication "to buy me a little time" - they suggested 6 months or perhaps a year. But God has the only timetable. "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! Psalm 139 I celebrated a big birthday on Sept 11. Some friends totally surprised me with a very special party. A few years ago I wondered if I would ever see this milestone. Isn't God good?

I appreciate your prayers for Joanna too. She keeps quite well but she still carries so much of the load, doing practically all the driving and anything heavy - all the hard, boring, unseen work without which I could not survive let alone minister to others. She has been my rock through these years and I am convinced her reward will be greater. I pray that I gain even more strength so that her load will lighten a bit.

Thank you again for all you mean to us. Hebrew 6:10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

with love
in the grace of our precious Lord Jesus,

David

December 2005

Dear faithful friends,

We write to thank you for all your prayers to God for us. He has answered in many remarkable ways.

As I write, the fourth anniversary of my sudden illness is approaching. It was just after Christmas 2001, that I was diagnosed with heart failure and within months I was told I needed a heart transplant. Now four years on, I continue to keep in reasonable health; medication has improved my quality of life and in recent months I have been able to do so much more than before. Surely this is an answer to prayer. Apart from a lingering cold I am well.

The heart transplant is still somewhere in the future. I have also been suffering from osteoporosis and several years of treatment have not helped. Because my bones must be stronger before transplant, I am now on a very new treatment. Please pray that this will be effective.

Joanna continues to receive needed grace for each day and is very grateful for your prayerful support. The circumstances of the past four years have been terribly demanding on her. Pray for her health and for daily strength.

We thank God each day for the dear friends he has given us. In practical ways they enable us and encourage us. God sees every kindness and promises His reward. One very special gift arrived recently. Our car was over 10 years old and beginning to show its age a bit. Through very kind friends, it had been kept roadworthy all through my illness. But on one occasion this year it broke down on the motorway late one evening with only Joanna and her mother aboard. Imagine our surprise when one day a beautiful new car arrived for us. It is a 2002 Citroen Xsara. These friends have done this anonymously; all we know is that they are from our church. We are deeply moved by this kindness. I am so pleased that Joanna, who has done all the driving for 4 years, now has a much more reliable car. What a wonderful God we have and what a wonderful family we belong to!

After all these years of illness, God has graciously given me opportunities to minister a little in public. I am grateful to Moira Baptist Church for the way in which they have encouraged me to preach again. This Autumn, the Church has been involved in an intensive series of studies on "Our purpose in Jesus Christ", with a comprehensive look at the early church in Acts. I was privileged to be asked to introduce the series by preaching one Sunday morning in October and to teach one of the seminars on Fellowship in November. .

God is doing exciting things in our church and it is thrilling to have a small part. God wonderfully gave me help in preaching and teaching. I have also had the privilege of speaking this year at a number of funerals of dear friends. All of these opportunities bring encouragement and give confidence. Perhaps the Lord still has some public ministry for me in the future. Our web sites are now running at well over half a million hits per year. This gives us a ministry to thousands of people whom we will never meet but the good seed of God’s word will reach some prepared ground. God has promised that and we must be faithful sowers of good seed.. The ministry has been demanding but wonderfully rewarding. Here is just one example from many.

Meng Meng is a child from China. Her mother asked me for help. Her little girl needs heart surgery. For several months I have been trying to find someone in the west to help her and just yesterday an organization in USA has promised to operate on her. They will do this free of charge in China next year. Pray for all the plans to work out and for blessing on my continued contact with this family.

Another new Missionary site www.acremission.co.uk has been added and other ministries are asking for help. Now that I am able to be involved more in other areas, I need to make decisions about just how much more web ministry I can handle. Pray for wisdom and guidance.

We thank God every day for your fellowship in the gospel and pray that this Christmas season you may know much joy and peace through the Lord Jesus. You mean so much to us. Please keep us in your prayers.

Yours through grace alone,

David and Joanna McFarland

 

May 2006

My times … Your hands.

Dear faithful friends,

How good it is to be assured that God’s plan is perfect; that His time is always right. How important it is to trust Him when things do not work out as we imagine they should. David reminds us in Psalm 31:14,15 –“I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hands;”

It was in May 2002 that we first heard that I was likely to need a heart transplant and three months later it was confirmed not only that I had to have one but that I was a suitable recipient and would be accepted on the list. However the consultant, knowing the risks of transplant, decided to try to buy me more time with medication. He was thinking in terms of months and perhaps up to a year. Now, nearly four years on, I rejoice in God’s providence. My health continues to be reasonably stable and the transplant can wait for His time. How merciful God is, allowing me to serve Him though these years.

Some side effects of the new treatment for osteoporosis are not pleasant, leaving me weaker than before and sometimes in a lot of pain but I am thankful to be blessed with this treatment. Pray it will be effective in His time.

Thank you for your prayers for Joanna too and for all the ways you encourage her. The prolonged illness and recent death of her brother’s wife was difficult for her but she continues to receive grace for each day. She is very grateful for your prayerful support and for those who help in very practical ways. Pray for her health and for daily strength.

We thank God for every day He gives us and for your fellowship each day. Please keep us in your prayers.

Yours through grace alone,

David and Joanna McFarland

“We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead.

And he did deliver us from mortal danger. And we are confident that he will continue to deliver us. He will rescue us because you are helping by praying for us. As a result, many will give thanks to God because so many people's prayers for our safety have been answered.” 2 Cor. 1:8-11.

 

17th January 2007

Today I had an appointment with my Consultant cardiologist. He was very pleased with the improvement in my level of health since he last saw me and is encouraged that the medication is helping. Some adjustment is being tried again with the hope that further improvement will be possible. Of course I am aware that I am in the Lord's hands and I have no doubt that He has been pleased to answer your prayers for me. From the bottom of my heart I thank you and know I can count on you continuing to "walk" this path with us.

Of course a reasonable level of health brings its own frustrations. I am well enough to want to do more, yet if I do to much I suffer for it. Continue to pray for peace, grace and wisdom.

In Him whose grace is sufficient,

David

 

November 2007

I have not posted a health update for some time, mainly because life has continued much as it has been. I apologise because I know many pray for me and you must have been wondering what the situation was.

Well, in answer to prayer, God has been pleased to continue to give me improved health. I am still far from being able to do all I want to do but on the whole life is easier. An echo in May showed a distinct improvement in the heart ejection fraction. The medication has been effective beyond what the Doctors anticipated and the transplant is some way ahead while this situation continues. I still tire easily but sometimes I think I just attempt too much. It is good to be able to be a bit more "normal".

My osteoporosis treatment has also been effective, beginning to replace lost bone density. That is crucial if I am to face the treatment that follows transplant. I am grateful that God allowed me to be given such a very expensive treatment - and grateful to the medical authorities for providing it for me. I was the first in Northern Ireland to be granted this treatment. I am troubled a little by pains in hips and back as a result of osteoporosis damage but thankful to be able to get around.

The future is uncertain as far as my health is concerned. But God is gracious and I rest in His love. Continue to pray for Joanna. The load she has carried over the past 6 years has been enormous and her own health has suffered, yet she still carries on. I thanks God for my "angel".

Thank you so much for praying for us so faithfully. God bless you.

 

January 8th 2008

Thank you all for your love and prayers. Thank you for the Christmas greetings too. Christmas was a bit different this year. I preached at our annual Carol service on Sunday 23 - exactly six years on from when I took ill. God really helped. But the next day I developed a virus that has been sweeping the UK this winter and was sick throughout Christmas and New Year. I then developed a terrible cold that refused to go away and developed a chest infection. Just as that was eventually improving I hurt my back and was very immobile for a week.

So yes we did have a happy Christmas, for 2001 could easily have been my last one on earth. God is so gracious. Thank you for all your love and support. I will try to keep in touch through 2008- You will all certainly be in my heart and prayers.

Recently when I felt down and defeated over another matter, (Yes even Pastors can feel down!) the Lord rebuked and encouraged and lifted me with Psalm 115:3

"But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. "

How wonderful to have a God who is in the heavens, above all, over all, beyond all - there is no one greater and nothing mightier than He. He is sovereign, all powerful, all knowing.

How wonderful to have a God who in in control of EVERYTHING. All that happens is planned and purposed by Him for His glory.

But How REALLY wonderful to have a God who is OUR God. All He is and all He does is with us in mind for He has made us His children and He wants us to trust HIM.

It is never easy to trust when life crashes around you, when you find yourself in the dark or despair but we pray you and we know that grace to trust whatever His path for us is.

God bless you, dear friends.

David

 

Read "My 2hearts" (this short story opens in a new window)