This week we will be sending out our Spring Semester 2010 Newsletter. Below is the full text of that letter if you're interested.
The girls and I are doing well, all things considered. Petra turned 5 in December and Zoë just turned 2 in January. I know everyone thinks their kids are the greatest and we are no exception. They really are two wonderful girls who bring sunshine into a pretty dark time for us. God has blessed us so much!
Our missionary budget, however, is in need of help. I need to be on the road shoring up support right now and I have a few services scheduled but I can’t stray too far from home when Ann’s chemo is going on. Please don’t forget about us. We are still working diligently and God is blessing our work. As we face the rest of Ann’s treatments (and the growing stack of medical bills that accompany them) many people have asked what they can do to help us. Aside from prayer, prayer and more prayer, faithful and growing support is the best help we can get – and it is appreciated!
Of course if you know our pastors, Brian & Tracy Ryals, you know that they simply can’t be beat, but the ladies of the church have pitched in and cooked for the girls and me, provided babysitting when I need it, various individuals have given us money and recently two brothers in the church who are farmers stopped by the house to bring a total of $1,200.00 they said the LORD told them to give us – of course it was just in time to meet a need. I don’t know how people make it through tough times without a faith and a fellowship to help them. I’d be in big trouble without my students, my local church family and all of you getting us through this! I praise God for His mercy and for friends like you.
We love you all!
Mike Ring
Your Campus Missionary
Our FamilyAs I’m sure most of you know, last September Ann was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and has been undergoing treatment since October. She has made it through the first round of chemotherapy, a drug called Doxorubicin (nicknamed “the red devil”) which almost killed her. She has also completed two operations and, as of this writing, is doing very well. She will begin another round of chemo the week of January 26th. This will be twelve weekly treatments followed by six weeks of daily radiation treatments followed by reconstructive surgery, so we still have a long ways to go before this is over – probably into early summer. Ann’s doctors, however, tell us this should be very curable and the long term prognosis is good. We can never express to you how much your prayers mean to us as we go through this trial!
The girls and I are doing well, all things considered. Petra turned 5 in December and Zoë just turned 2 in January. I know everyone thinks their kids are the greatest and we are no exception. They really are two wonderful girls who bring sunshine into a pretty dark time for us. God has blessed us so much!
Chi Alpha2009 marked the beginning of our 12th year as Chi Alpha Missionaries and we had a really great year with the students. We had 55 first-time students attend our MAIN Meetings. Help us pray that 2010 will bring salvation and power to many more students and that our discipleship efforts will bring fruit in every single student’s life.
Our missionary budget, however, is in need of help. I need to be on the road shoring up support right now and I have a few services scheduled but I can’t stray too far from home when Ann’s chemo is going on. Please don’t forget about us. We are still working diligently and God is blessing our work. As we face the rest of Ann’s treatments (and the growing stack of medical bills that accompany them) many people have asked what they can do to help us. Aside from prayer, prayer and more prayer, faithful and growing support is the best help we can get – and it is appreciated!
Our GratitudeI hear stories of U.S. Missionaries who have trouble finding a church home. This is a tragedy because having a missionary in a local church should be a great benefit to both the church and the missionary. We have that kind of relationship with Southside Assembly in Batesville and I would be remiss if I didn’t express our gratitude for all they’ve done since Ann has been sick.
Of course if you know our pastors, Brian & Tracy Ryals, you know that they simply can’t be beat, but the ladies of the church have pitched in and cooked for the girls and me, provided babysitting when I need it, various individuals have given us money and recently two brothers in the church who are farmers stopped by the house to bring a total of $1,200.00 they said the LORD told them to give us – of course it was just in time to meet a need. I don’t know how people make it through tough times without a faith and a fellowship to help them. I’d be in big trouble without my students, my local church family and all of you getting us through this! I praise God for His mercy and for friends like you.
We love you all!
Mike Ring
Your Campus Missionary
