Dear
Friends in Christ, |
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What
a great and loving God we serve, He alone
is worthy of our honor and glory!! Despite
the trials that have come our way throughout
the last year we are still grateful to Him
for His everlasting love and kindness that
has and is carrying us through them. |
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We
were very happy to be able to have Shelby
home from Houston and with the family for
Thanksgiving. Because Thanksgiving is our
family’s favorite holiday of the year
it always means a lot to have as much family
together as possible. |
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Please
continue to be in prayer for Shelby, as you
are reading this she will be just finishing
her second round of chemo. There was a problem
in the middle of her first round with pain
medications and we were able to quickly alleviate
the problem so we are hopeful the second
round will go a little more smoothly. The
doctors have told us that each set of treatments
will be harder on her than the last because
her body is going through so much, so we
are really praying the Lord will give Shelby
grace to withstand the rough weeks that lie
ahead. After this second round of treatments
we will be able to have more of an idea how
much the chemo is affecting the cancer as
lots of scans as well as x-rays have been
ordered. The doctors seem however to be pleased
with her progress so far. |
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Another
praise report is we should be able to start
coming home from Houston in between treatments.
Shelby is very pleased about this. She, of
course, is much happier at home where she
can be close to family and friends. We really
appreciate our dear friends, the Greenlaws,
who have been so gracious to allow us to
use their home during our visits in Houston. |
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The
generosity of our friends in Christ has been
overwhelming. Shelby’s medical expenses
have been totally covered to this date through
God’s people. However, it has been
brought to our attention that it is inappropriate
for Only a Servant Ministries, Inc. to continue
accepting funds for Shelby’s medical
bills. Being our family founded the Ministry
it makes sense we cannot receive funds in
this manner and distribute them to ourselves.
If you would like to make a contribution
on behalf of Shelby the check needs to be
made out directly to the Kennedy family or
Shelby. If you would like the tax deduction
you can make your check out to Vision Forum
Ministries, Inc. 4719 Blanco Rd. * San Antonio,
TX 78212 who has set up a fund for Shelby.
Please be sure to include a note that clarifies
the gift is for Shelby’s medical fund
and they will send you a receipt. |
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After
months of trying to get back "active
Navy" instead of Navy Reserve, our son
John has left the San Antonio area for Army
indoctrination at Ft. Knox in Kentucky. The
Army took him quickly and allowed him to
retain the job he is trained for, and his
full rank and benefits he attained in the
Navy. At this time he is being told he will
be heading back to Iraq where he will continue
operating heavy equipment which he was trained
to do in the Navy. Being this is his second
tour there it doesn’t seem to worry
him very much... wish we could say the same
thing. Please keep John in your prayers,
we will let you know where he is as we know. |
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During
the hurricane season that hit Haiti, we received
quite a few calls and e-mails asking how
the schools sponsored by O.S.M. had faired
through the storms. We are sorry we are responding
to those inquiries so late. Haiti was hit
hard with over 1000 deaths in the northern
region, however the schools we support only
received slight rain and wind with relatively
no damage and no loss of life, praise the
Lord. A few of the children in the schools
did lose relatives in that region and our
prayers are with them. |
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Please
be in prayer with us that the Lord would
continue providing the necessary funds to
help these schools in 2005. As of now, we
have full sponsorship through the end of
this year. The two schools require a total
of $850 a month. This cost covers, renting
a building for one school and providing a
meal a day for the children and teachers
of both schools and a salary for Lussade
who oversees the work that is done in Haiti. |
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We
were excited to have the opportunity to host
Norm Wakefield of Elijah Ministries in Mexico
this month. Micah and Holly went down with
the Wakefield family for the annual Pastor’s
and men’s conference held at the John
3:16 Church. Norm taught a message called "Run
to Win". The following is a summary
written by Norm of "Run to Win". |
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"Most
people don’t think about their actions
in light of a day of judgment. Many Christians
mistakenly think that because they are "saved
by grace" they won’t have to give
an account for their words or actions. The
Bible teaches we all have a race to run and
a finish line to cross in life. How are we
to run these laps in the race so that we
can win the prize at the end? What dangers
lie in the way threatening to disqualify
us? The "Run to Win" message will
encourage young people and parents to run
the race with purpose and hope." |
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Approximately
100 men came to hear Norm share this challenging
message. Norm and Micah gave out many other
messages on CD and cassette in Spanish to
each one attending the seminar. We pray that
the lives of these men were touched to change
for eternity! |
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If
you would like to know more about this message,
or Elijah Ministries, you can look them up
on the web at: www.spiritofelijah.com. |
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A Sweet Field
Report |
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Dear Friends, |
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Our
God reigns! And as He reigns in our lives,
He also sends rain. Wow! He has watered Nava
in November. With the rain, comes mud, and
with the mud, comes slippery colonia streets.
For a few days, O.S.M. added towing and taxi
service to their "to
do" list. |
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Abe and I
were happy to get Pacho and his family moved
into a temporary vacant, but dry house located
on some church property. He, his wife, two
children, and nephew, were in a small dirt-floor
hut constructed with bits of lumber, tin, and
cardboard. They were sleeping on rain-soaked
mattresses during the rainy weather. As they
are young Christians, we hope to encourage
them in their walk with the Lord. |
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Ramiro
and his sister, Erica, spent some time in
the carpenter shop finishing a small log
cabin that someone had left unfinished. After
putting on a roof, making a fence, and decorating
it, they proudly took it to their school
to show their friends. Please pray for the
Lord’s work in these
two children. |
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During this
Thanksgiving season, we especially want to
thank all of you who continue to support us
with your prayers and finances. May God richly
bless you. |
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In His Service, |
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The Sweets |
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Please send
all donations to the O.S.M. San Antonio mailing
address |
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Once again
another month has come and gone and we have
so much to be grateful for. One great blessing
in our lives has been each of you. We hope
you all realize what an encouragement you have
been to us through Christ. Please continue
to keep us in your prayers in the upcoming
month as we continue to pray for you. |
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Because
of Christ, |
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The
Kennedy Family |
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