Michael's Update
January 12, 2009

Happy New Year! (Forgive me, I am a little late!) I would like to thank everyone for the prayers and encouragement that you have provided Nancy and me over the past 27 months. We have seen God do amazing things in our lives as we have walked through the shadow of death. Thank you, Lord Jesus! I have felt your prayer support and thank God for the strength He has given me in response to your prayers.

As you may remember, an MRI taken last December showed significant reduction in the area of active cancer in my brain. However, the latest MRI, dated January 7, 2009, showed that the area had grown slightly. The blessing is that these areas of growth are not solid tumors. The doctors are increasing the amount of chemotherapy I am receiving and at the same time my neurologist is increasing my seizure medicine by 60% over the next couple of weeks. PLEASE KEEP THE PRAYERS GOING FOR MY STRENGTH AS WE STAND TOGETHER BELIEVING FOR COMPLETE HEALING.

Although I am again encountering huge trials in my body, God is opening many doors to share my testimony of His glory with others. I get to speak in my home church, First Assembly of God in Jefferson City, Missouri, on January 14. Then, on the 29th of January, I have been blessed with an opportunity to be the featured speaker at the Annual Prayer Breakfast in Tipton, Missouri.

On February 7th, I will be speaking at a Men's Conference in North Pole, Alaska, at North Pole Worship Center! The next day I have the honor of preaching at the church where I gave my life to Jesus Christ and experienced baptism, First Baptist Church of Eagle River, Alaska. Thank you to those who are helping me attain one of the desires of my heart – to return to the place of my salvation experience and preach God’s Word.  Please pray for provision for this trip. I know God is faithful!

Psalms 34:17-19 (NKJV)

 17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,
         And delivers them out of all their troubles.
 18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
         And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
         
 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
         But the LORD delivers him out of them all