Greetings to all,
This is the man with the "severely" broken nose reporting in. I'm not always so good at praying for situations that I read about in e-mails or online updates, but if you did pray for me, thanks a lot! I really needed it. I went in for the operation five days ago now. It didn't require an incision as I'd initially thought, so I just received local anesthesia, and the doctor was able to quickly snap the bones back into place with some medical-looking pliers. I was able to walk out immediately, with my nose carefully immobilized inside and out. The next three days were really difficult trying to breath and swallow using my mouth alone, but God helped me persevere and I'm still around to tell the tale. I'm mostly back to normal now, just being careful not to bump my still fragile nose. I want to give thanks to the Lord for hearing all our prayers and bringing me safely through a trying period.
Looking beyond my nose, God is continuing to bless us here as we're split into four camp teams in Nantou and Taipei. With small teams at each spot and busy, busy days with lots of kids to love, we really need to depend on the Lord for energy, health and hearts full of His love. Please pray for each group of us to be functioning well as a team, for creativity and effectiveness in our small and large group teaching times, and for continuing divine opportunities to share Christ with our Taiwanese teaching partners. It's wonderful to see how God has given many of them a spiritual interest and has opened the way for meaningful conversations with various ones among us.
Hold us in prayer, that we'd be filled with the Holy Spirit, alert to what He's doing. Also, pray for the old team members on their way back to the States. It's hard to say good-bye, and we need the Lord's comfort and strength to forge on to the next stage of our lives. Different ones of us (including myself) will be transitioning out over the next several days, and we're trusting God for brave hearts and safe traveling.
I'll sign off now, to give you a chance to actually pray for us :o), instead of having to read about all the details for too long. Know that you're in our thoughts and prayers.
God bless you all.
Daniel Vanderhorst
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high! May He send you help from the sanctuary, and support you from Zion! (Psalm 20:1-2)
