Prayer Request

Received this morning from my friend Scott.

Hello friends,

Below is an email from Godfrey, director of Arise Africa, the Uganda-based ministry Tanya and I have worked with on our short term missions. Please remember pastor Joseph, who is grieving a daughter and who is himself ill.

Thanks,
Scott

From Godfrey….

I regret to let you know that our staff Pastor Joshua Wako has lost his 5 year old daughter. She died of malaria fever. And Joshua himself has been diagnosed with TB. Malaria and TB has become a very big threat to us and our families.

Please pray for him, his family and for the staff of Arise Africa International and for the people in Uganda.

In Christ,
Godfrey

Prayer Request for Kat's Father

Received this morning from my friend Scott:

Hello friends,
Yesterday I learned that the father of a lady who works with my company discovered unexpectedly that he has cancer in two areas of his body. He is to have surgery Friday to learn the extent of the threat, which sounds grave. I know nothing of his spiritual condition nor his name. My coworker's name is Kat. By the way, I was asked to pray for them by an unbelieving coworker; his name is Steve. Remember him also, if you will.
May God bless you today as you live this day for Him. Thanks for your prayers.
Scott Paulette

Prayers Please

George and Rosetta Christopher, young newlyweds, have recently been told that Rosetta has a cancerous lump in one of her breasts and will undego surgery this Friday. Please pray that they will allow God's will to be done and be blessed. Thanks.

Please Pray for Jean

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Please pray for my friend Jean, her daughter, and their whole family. Jean's daughter's twin babies died last year after she went into labor early. She is now expecting one child and is having difficulties again.

I pray that our Lord is merciful and makes His presence known--they are not believers. Please pray for comfort as this family once again lives through tough times and also that they come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

In Him,
Patricia

Prayer Request

Please keep David Jackson in your prayers.
Mr. Jackson was pinned between a falling tree and his tractor, and suffered multiple serious injuries.
Thank you.
Gary

Mom's Obituary

Doris Brown Thomas, 73, received her crown of eternal life, Thursday, March 20, 2008 at her residence. She was the wife of James L. Thomas, Jr. for fifty-four years. She was born in Halifax County on October 5, 1934 and was the daughter of the late Irma Saunders Brown Scott and the stepdaughter of the late Edward L. Scott. She was a member of Lane Memorial United Methodist Church, a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother and friend.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Gary L. Thomas and his wife, Suzanne of Salem, Timothy L. Thomas and his companion, Troy Warner of Forest; a daughter, Vicky L. Thomas of Altavista; six grandchildren, Ashley Hall, Eric Hall, Sara Edwards, David J. L. Thomas, Christopher Thomas and Holly Thomas; a sister, Betty Hunley and her husband Larry of Lynch Station; two nephews, Kevin Hunley and C. Todd Hunley; a sister-in-law, Joyce Thomas Guthrie; and two nieces, Erin Burke and Shannon Eubanks.

A funeral service will be held Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008 at 2:00 pm in Lane Memorial United Methodist Church by the Rev. John Martin and Rev. Julie Flores, assisted by Bob Carpenter and Mac Calhoun with interment to follow in Green Hill Cemetery.The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 pm Saturday, March 22, 2008 at Finch and Finch Funeral Home and other times at the residence.

The family suggests those wishing to make memorials consider Hospice of the Hills, 3300 Rivermont Ave. Lynchburg, Va. 24503, Altavista EMS, P. O. Box 1, Altavista, Va. 24517 or Lane Memorial United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1201 Bedford Ave., Altavista, Va. 24517.

--
Gary L. Thomas
mail@garyLthomas.com
http://www.garylthomas.com/

Mom

To all friends and family members.

I wanted to let you all know that Mom went to be with the Lord Thursday evening a little after 5pm.

My sincere thanks to all of you who have blessed me with your prayers, support, calls, emails and visits. Mom always loved Easter, and it seems fitting that she will be laid to rest on Easter Sunday. Please keep Dad and our family in your thoughts and prayers.

Gary

--
Gary L. Thomas
mail@garyLthomas.com
http://www.garylthomas.com/

Prayer Requests for Uganda and Kenya

From my friend, Scott.

Gt
 

Hello friends,

You may have heard about the trouble and violence in Kenya. Please remember these folks in your prayers. We also got an email from a missionary friend who serves in Uganda who is here in the States at the moment. His email is below, followed by another email from Pastor Anthony, a dear fellow who lives and serves the Lord in Kenya.

Thank you for your prayers on their behalf.

 

Scott Paulette

**********************

From Terry Nester, missionary to Uganda…

 

I just got off IM with a missionary in Uganda and the crisis in Kenya is causing a lot of trouble for the people of Uganda. Here's what we know so far:   

There is NO fuel in Uganda now. That means NO public transportation, no taxis, no buses, etc... The last day fuel was available (8 days ago), the price was $21.60 per gallon! The country is almost at a standstill!

All food, containers, and petrol deliveries have stopped at the border of Kenya with nothing coming in or out of the country.

It looks like Uganda will be having a food shortage and ALL prices in the country will be sky-rocketing. All of the missionaries are stocking up on food and supplies. I just sent money ahead for two 30 lb. kegs of cooking gas and it cost me almost $300!

The IMB Seminary has canceled all classes for this next term. Many of their students come from very far away and there is no public transportation available.

 

   Please pray for Uganda and all of the East African countries that are affected by this Kenya crisis. Pray for a CALM resolution for the two political sides in Kenya to meet and settle things peacefully. Pray for my family and I as we plan to return to Uganda in just a few weeks time. Pray for God's timing!

 

 Thank you for praying!

Terry Nester 

----------------------------------------

From Pastor Anthony of Kenya

 

it is sad to let you know that there is al ot of chaos-loss of lives and property in our country for the past five days. more than 300 people have lost their lives in the skirmishes.the painful one was when people were lynched to death in a church where they had ran for refuge.pray with kenya.

as i write thre is tension and no one knows what will happen next.cnn news is posting this chaos.

i cant write much now but just know that we are going thru a trying moment in the history of this country.all these is due to post election presidential result.many homes have been burnt.we have many displaced people.looting is high.

i wish you a happy new year.

 anthony

 

Prayer request

Happy New Year.

 

Please keep my mother in your prayers. She was admitted to the hospital Saturday evening. As most of you know, she underwent radiation treatments twice last year for the tumors on her spine. She was not eating or feeling well Saturday, so she was taken to Lynchburg General, where she has been recuperating. They're saying she could come home as early as Wednesday. Please remember Mom and those caring for her, including Dad and my sister Vicky, in your prayers.

 

And prayers for all of you for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008.

 

Gary
--
Gary L. Thomas
mail@garyLthomas.com
www.garyLthomas.com

Prayer Request

I got a call from my good friend Dan today asking for prayer for his mother and father.

His mom has recently had knee replacement surgery, and his father, while attempting to visit his mom in the hospital, fell and has a punctured lung, so is in the bed beside her!

Please keep them and Dan's family in your prayers.

Thanks.

Gary

--
Gary L. Thomas
mail@garyLthomas.com
www.garyLthomas.com

Prayer Request

Just received from my friend Scott. -Gt

 

Hello friends,

Today I learned that my coworker's wife, Mary Ann, has been suffering with a recurrence of colitis for about six weeks. She's a sick lady and both she and her husband, Joel, are weary of this ailment. Please lift them up as you are so led.

Thanks,

Scott

*UPDATE 2* on Amber and Sydney Ann

Sadly, received this update from Patricia this morning. - Gt

 

With a heavy heart I am reporting to you that Sydney Ann did not make it. Please pray for Amber, Troy and the kids. I know that Sydney is with our Lord right now, but the pain of missing her is so real.

 

Do not have any details at this time. Amber is being released today.

 

Thank you all for your prayers and support.

 

Patricia

Amber and Troy Bomar

Received this evening from my friend Patricia.-Gt

Please pray for my daughter and son-in-law, Amber and Troy Bomar. They are headed to UVA for the birth of their daughter, Sydney Ann. Sydney has multiple problems, including not having any kidneys--according to the ultrasounds. Amber was to be induced on November 15th, but went into labor early this morning.

 

Please pray for comfort for them and their other four children. If it is God's will to heal Sydney, that will be a great testimony among the doctors and nurses who have worked with Amber the past several months. If God's will is not to heal the baby, then I pray that this draws everyone involved to Him for healing and comfort.

 

In Jesus' Name,

Patricia Haskins

 

 

***UPDATE***

Amber just called and they had just given her an epidural. She is dilated 4 cm and is 75% effaced. Someone should be coming in soon to check on her, she said. Hopefully, Sydney will not be in distress and no C-section will be needed.

 

It will be a long road for them tonight, but Amber sounded pretty good, tired from being in labor all day, but good. She was going to try to get some rest now.

 

Keep those prayers going,

Patricia

Prayer Request

Please keep my Mom and Dad in your prayers as she starts another 6 week round of radiation today at UVA.

Thank you.

Gary

--
Gary L. Thomas
mail@garyLthomas.com
www.garyLthomas.com

Prayer Request

Please pray for the family of Steven Michael Jones, who died Monday.

 

"Little Steve" was the oldest son of my 2nd cousin, Steve Jones, that I grew up with and graduated high school with.

 

As a child, "Little Steve" would cross the street to my grandparents home (where my sister now lives) and entertain them. They loved each other very much, and he was a pallbearer at Granddaddy's funeral in 2001.

 

"Little Steve" was 28 years old, and a fine young man.

 

Thank you.

Gary

--
Gary L. Thomas
mail@garyLthomas.com
www.garyLthomas.com

Update

Patricia informs me that Wayne died late Friday evening. Please keep their family in your prayers.
Thanks.

Gt
--
Gary L. Thomas
mail@garyLthomas.com
www.garyLthomas.com

Prayer Request

My daughter Amber's step-brother Wayne is in a coma on life support. He has had heart problems since birth and recently had a seizure. Please pray for comfort for the family.

 

Thanks,

Patricia

Prayer Request

From my friend Patricia -

My daughter Amber's step-brother Wayne is in a coma on life support. He has had heart problems since birth and recently had a seizure. Please pray for comfort for the family.

 

Thanks,

Patricia

--
Gary L. Thomas
mail@garyLthomas.com
www.garyLthomas.com

Prayer request

Bobby Wills, the husband of Rose, one of Suzanne's best friends, had an emergency appendectomy this evening, along with some other complications. He's in recovery at this time, and is stable. Please keep he, Rose and family in your prayers.

Thanks.

Gt 

--
Gary L. Thomas
mail@garyLthomas.com
www.garyLthomas.com

Pray for our country

During the upcoming July 4th "weekend" (it's on Wednesday this year - looooong weekend), please pause for a moment and say a prayer for our country. And as always, whether you support the battles our country is fighting right now or not, please support the brave young men and women who risk their lives to protect us every day with a word of prayer, too.

 

Thanks. God bless America.

Gt
--
Gary L. Thomas
mail@garyLthomas.com
www.garyLthomas.com

Prayer request

I received this from my friend Scott this evening.

Gt
 

Please, please pray for very close, long-time friends of ours:

 

1) Their college-aged daughter is coping with the emotional aftermath of a point-blank range shooting on Monday - the Lord miraculously spared her and her boyfriend's lives... Her boyfriend is hospitalized and will recover - the bullets shot into his limbs missed a vital artery by just millimeters. She too was spared miraculously with a bullet entering and exiting the pillow on which she was huddled.

 

2) This same daughter was in a car wreck just 2 weeks ago in which her car was totaled. She was uninjured.

 

3) This same daughter is a VT student and lost her best friend, Rema, in the massacre. She was not on campus at the time.

 

4) This same daughter's uncle was found dead the day of the VT massacre

(our good friend's brother).

 

5) This same daughter's grandfather died just after Christmas (our good

friend's father)

 

6) This same daughter has just lost another relative today.

 

Her folks, our dear friends, have almost lost their daughter, have lost her dad and brother and another family member within 5 months.

 

Her folks have given permission for us to ask for prayer for themselves and their daughter (her dad is not a believer): for a counselor for her that is skilled in post-traumatic stress disorder; for healing and recovery of her boyfriend from his wounds; he is also having nightmares; for physical protection - the shooter is still at large; for her innocence to be restored; for her life to return to "normal"...

 

May we add that her dad would realize God's Hand in all of this and come to a saving knowledge of the Lord - Thank you for praying for this traumatized family as they cope...

Good News from a Childhood Friend

Gary:

 

Just wanted to up date you on Susan.  She had a follow-up visit at Duke today....had blood test, PET scan, CT scat and physical exam.  I am happy to say all tests are negative and she remains cancer free.

 

Thanks for all of the prayers....

John

Update from Erin on little Tommy

Received from Erin Saturday evening. (edited)

 

Thanks Gary.  
Tommy is indeed home but we still do not know what is wrong with him.  he is most likely going to have to have a bone marrow biopsy next week just to rule everything out..so that they can begin the steroid treatment, assuming it is jra ( juvenile rheumatoid arthritis)..we just don't know yet. noone wants to put their official stamp of approval on any of it.
so, he is home from school another week and we are just watching and waiting.
i am exhausted.
best to you and your family
Erin

--
Gary L. Thomas
mail@garyLthomas.com
www.garyLthomas.com

Update on Tommy and Aunt Joyce

Little Tommy (my cousin Erin's boy) went home Thursday, and seems to be on the mend. I'll forward the complete update when I get it.

 

Dad's sister, my Aunt Joyce, had shoulder surgery Thursday and is doing well aside from pain associated with the surgery.

 

Please keep them in your prayers.

Thank you.
Gt
--
Gary L. Thomas
mail@garyLthomas.com
www.garyLthomas.com

Prayers for Laurie

Forwarded to me this morning from my friend Scott.

 

Friends & Colleagues, 

    As I write this email, I once again want to share some of "what I know" and "what I don't know" with you concerning Laurie's health condition.  After a biopsy on her lymph glands, x-rays, and other tests today, it is definitely cancer that is attacking her body.  The doctors do not believe it started in the lymph system, but are not sure where it did start.  The type that she has is extremely aggressive and is spreading throughout her body quickly.  It is possible, although not definitive, that it may have started in the pancreas and spread from there to the lymph glands and liver.  She also has some fluid on her lungs at this time, but this is not hindering her breathing.  At any rate, this is obviously not the news the family would have desired to hear today, but is what several MD's expected based on her symptoms and previous testing in February.  Thus, the decision to move Lauren and Adam Barnes' wedding from November to next Friday is certainly a very good decision since medically speaking Laurie may only have a few weeks to live.

     Both Laurie & Greg understand what this means and that the end of her life may be nearer than desired or hoped.  However, as strong believers in God's sovereign will and His power to heal, they are also still praying that God may glorified by performing a supernatural miracle in her life - "on this side of heaven".  To that end, they are asking those who believe in such miracles to consider fasting and praying on Monday, April 30th.  They shared both the facts of Laurie's situation and their spiritual position on this matter with me tonight which could be compared to a set of railroad tracks.  On the one track is the possibility of a miracle and on the other is God calling her home.  With this in mind, they are both ready to accept either one because God's will answer their prayers - they just don't know when or how.

     So - with their encouragement I want to ask all of you to solicit your family, friends, colleagues, church members, and prayer warriors wherever they may be to lift up Laurie and her family in prayer on Monday.  I also want to ask you to send cards to Laurie - because I know she would really enjoy receiving them.  Recently many of you sent cards to my Mom, Ethel Farver for her 90th birthday on April 8th and I am thrilled to report that she received over 120 cards!  These thoughtful written reminders from folks who cared about her seemed to energize her life immensely.  I truly believe that sending cards (or notes) of encouragement would have a similar effect on Laurie.  And, it would give the postman a good strength workout as well!  The address is:  Laurie McCauley, 221 Lansing Avenue , Lynchburg, VA 24503.

     Just a little personal information about Laurie - she is 48 years old and a 1984 graduate of LU.  Greg is 45 and he graduated from LU in 1985.  Laurie was "Miss Liberty" back in the days when we still held that tradition and Greg was a standout basketball player during his time at Liberty.  Laurie has been a "stay-at-home" mom and Greg owns Seniors Only Financial. They have five children:  Lauren (21), Scott (19), Jordan (17), Francis (12), and Isabelle (10).  The two youngest are home schooled, but that has been put on hold for the last several weeks.

     I can tell you that life for Laurie, Greg, their family and close friends has been like a roller coaster ride this week with many steep ups & downs. One of the "ups" was a phone call Laurie received from Dodie Osteen, Joel Osteen's mother, who was miraculously healed of cancer in 1981.  Laurie had read her book, "Healed of Cancer" in which she shares numerous scripture verses regarding healing.  She sent Dodie an email weeks ago, but had not heard anything from her.  She was quite surprised and blessed when Dodie's call came this evening.  It was such an encouragement for Dodie to pray for complete healing just like hers with Laurie and Greg over the phone - it put big smiles on their faces.  So, I want to encourage you to also pray for them - and allow God to put smiles on their hearts.

     So, I close with this verse from Psalm 73:23-24:  "Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel  . . ." 

 In Christ's service,

Linda