August 11, 2008
Dear Prayer Partners,
While we were on the mission field we worked with Dr. and Mrs. Dick Stagg for many years. They were in our candidate class. Another person with whom we worked for many years was a single lady, Linda Short. She was a Bible teacher and translator. Dr. Stagg’s wife died of cancer a few months ago. His wife, Carol, expressed her wish that Dick would remarry after she died. His daughters got together and drew up a list of qualifications they would want in his new mate. He added a few additional qualifications to the list and they began to discuss possible candidates. Linda Short was their unanimous choice. Linda has been living in Arlington, VA for a number of years, caring for her aging mother, since the death of Linda’s father. She has been working for Boeing Aircraft Company since returning to the USA. When Dick proposed to Linda she was overwhelmed but very pleased and she accepted his proposal. The wedding is scheduled for August 16th.
Our son, Peter, gave up his seat on one of his flights on our frequent flyer ticket to visit us at Christmas time. For this he got a ticket voucher, which had to be used by December of this year. Peter gave us his voucher, since he was not going to be able to use it by December, so we were able to book tickets to attend this wedding, using some frequent flyer miles on one of our accounts. We are looking forward to this important occasion, and expect to see many other Bangladesh missionaries there as well. Please pray for us as we make this flight on August 15th. We were able to route our return through Atlanta, which will allow us to have a visit with our family there as well.
Peter is now settled in Washington state, in Gig Harbor, just across the sound from Tacoma. He has already started work at the St. Joseph’s Medical Center, and likes it very much. The Lord has worked out all the details so that he has a very nice place to stay, which is out of the big city, quiet and restful. He is renting a mobile home, and has some nice neighbors. He starts his residency in peri-operative nursing in just a few days.
Our little church here in Marysvale is growing slowly. A convert was recently baptized and joined the church, along with his wife. This may be the start of the break-through we are praying for. Our new church sign is attracting a lot of attention and is displaying some very good messages. We are seeing quite a few drop-in visitors as a result. Most of these people are here for the ATV recreation.
We have received word that the ABWE group in Togo, West Africa is working on the African French translation of “What does the Holy Bible teach about God’s plan for man?”, as well as three of the dialects used in that area. They wanted to make some changes in the graphics, and that work is proceeding. Please pray that this work will go forward without complications.
We were very pleased to learn that three nurses and a teacher have been appointed to our former field out of the recent candidate class. Another experienced nurse has also expressed her interest in going out full-term. This will greatly help the medical team. They still need another surgeon to help. Several short term surgeons are going out, and they may turn out to be the ones we are looking for. Please pray about this need.
The latest word is that 56% of the funds for the new hospital have been raised. Because of the economic turn-down the fund raising has been going slowly. Please pray that the additional funds will come in soon, so that construction can be started. When those funds are in hand a project manager will be needed. Please pray for this person.
Here at home we are pleased to report that the first floor of Eagle’s Nest has taken shape. The outside walls and ceiling (which will be the floor of the second story) are in. Another team is supposed to come in September to begin working on the interior partitions and complete the closure before winter sets in. This is very encouraging. Please see attached picture.
We both remain in good health and are able to carry on a full work load. For this we are truly thankful.
We want to thank you for your faithful support, both prayer support and financial support, which has allowed us to continue functioning as missionaries here.
Yours in Christ’s service,
John and Hortense Bullock
