farnell

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”
Habakkuk 2:14

When I received this photo from my friend Ermias, I texted him, “Who is that with you in the photo? It looks like a very much older Duba Gersi.” He replied, “Yes, it is Duba.” Duba and Fikadu worked with me on the Aari New Testament translation, and almost half of the Old Testament…read more.

Click here to read the rest of my August 2026 Prayer Letter.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16:11 (ESV)

The Lord took my sister Peggy Home on April 1st. I praise Him for giving me strength to travel west one more time for the Celebration of Life on April 13th , 6 months to the day after she received her cancer diagnosis. About 250 people attended the celebration. One of her grandsons preached; another led the singing; and several of her children and grandchildren sang, played instruments, or quoted a hymn she had sung often…read more.

Click here to read the rest of my May 2026 Prayer Letter.

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.”
Psalm 67:1-2 (NIV)

My sister Peggy continues on Hospice care. She is no longer able to get around much even in her home. I am so grateful for her husband Charlie, and her children and grandchildren, who help her. I talk with her on the phone pretty much daily. The conversations are short as she tires easily. Still God’s grace is evident to all of us. Thank you for your continued prayers as Peggy looks forward to going Home to Jesus…read more.

Click here to read the rest of my February 2026 Prayer Letter.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 (NIV)

My sister Peggy, my only sibling, was diagnosed with metastasized cancer in late October and went on Hospice care. I had given up traveling 3½ years ago, but I flew out west to visit her for six days. She had been praying according to Romans 15:13 for some time, and when the diagnosis came, the LORD answered her prayer, filling her with all joy and peace. She is not in pain and, up to this point, is able to get around with a walker. We praise God for the way He has worked in and through her. She is sharing her testimony at every opportunity and spending quality time with family and friends…read more.

Click here to read the rest of my November 2025 Prayer Letter.

“I am the LORD, the God of all people. Nothing is too difficult for me.” Jeremiah 32:27 (see also v. 17, & Gen. 18:14.)

In my last letter I told you about a country in North Africa, where the Church once thrived, but later pretty much died out due to lack of Scriptures in their own language, leaders divided and distracted by lesser things, and lack of intentional discipleship.

Click here to read the rest of my August 2025 Prayer Letter.

“Who is like you among the gods, O LORD—glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders?” Exodus 15:11 (NLT)

Today in a country in North Africa, where the Church once thrived, Christ is virtually unknown. Mosques mark the dominance of Islam there. We may ask how the Gospel was lost to this land. One of our missionaries explains: “As historians reflect on this question, they conclude that the church quickly capitulated to the Islamic invasion of North Africa for three reasons: 1) lack of Scriptures in their own language, 2) leaders divided and distracted by lesser things, and 3) lack of intentional discipleship.

Click here to read the rest of my May 2025 Prayer Letter.

The LORD gave me a new life verse for my 77th birthday – Psalm 146:1-2 (NLT):

Praise the LORD! Let all that I am praise the LORD. I will praise the LORD as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.

Over the past several months we have experienced more illness and death among our retirement village residents than usual. Some are discouraged because they are no longer able to be active in the ministries they once had. Others need extra help with shopping or transportation. I do what I can to help, and there are those who help me with things like transportation for my eye injections and computer/internet issues.

Click here to read the rest of my February 2025 Prayer Letter.

“The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who hears this say, ‘Come.’
Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.”
Revelation 22:17 (NLT)

Because Jesus came to earth, conquered sin and death at the cross, and rose again in victory,
the invitation is open to all: Come, drink from the water of life which Jesus offers. I am grateful.

Click here to read the rest of my November 2024 Prayer Letter.

“… for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, God’s holy nation,
God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God,
for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2: 9 (NLT)

As I was reading this in the context of the whole chapter, it struck me that all who have genuinely put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ are one nation under God – without geographical or political borders – no wrong side of the tracks, no caste system, God’s very own possession! That thrills me.

Click here to read the rest of my August 2024 Prayer Letter.