Kindgo
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Gracia Burnham update Moving ahead
SANFORD, Florida (July 17, 2002): Toward the end of June, we shared specific prayer requests with you regarding Gracia Burnham, her children, and their extended family. This week, Gracia greeted her "NTM family" here at the mission's international headquarters during a gathering in her honor. God has clearly answered several of those requests.
* Health: Gracia's leg wound is healing well. She stood and greeted folks individually for a long time. Her bright smile and warm hugs were welcomed.
* Where to call home: Gracia shared that when her children asked, "Will we have to move again?," she knew that Rose Hill, Kansas, would be home. That's where Jeff, Mindy and Zach have been living with their paternal grandparents, going to school, and making friends. The community strongly supported the family throughout the hostage crisis, and is planning to provide Gracia a home of her own.
* Extended family: Gracia (Jones) and children have made special memories at a Jones family reunion, and on a family vacation in Florida with grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins.
* Emotional healing: Gracia said that in April, Martin had a sense he was not going to make it out alive. From then on, he used every opportunity to write stories about his childhood for his children. Today, those stories are a source of comfort to Jeff, Mindy and Zach. Martin and Gracia had said good-bye to each other many times during their captivity when military confrontations threatened. On June 7, 2002, they had once again said their good-byes. Gracia is thankful for that closure.
On the business side of things, NTM's contingency team has met to debrief and to be an encouragement to the Burnham family. This time of reflection and sharing has been difficult but very helpful.
Prayer requests:
* Gracia is feeling fatigued. She has had little sleep during the year of captivity and a busy schedule since her release. Pray for time to rest and regain physical strength.
* A home has been provided rent-free until such time as their new house is ready. Pray for Gracia and her children as they adjust to living on their own for the first time, and get to know each other in a new way. Rose Hill has been home to Jeff, Mindy and Zach for more than a year. Gracia is eager to meet her children's friends and their parents, and her neighbors, and to become part of the community. Pray for adjustments.
* NTM's contingency team members have completed their current debrief sessions. Pray that they can relax with their families and be refreshed in the Lord.
Thank you once again for your faithful prayers. God's purposes are greater than we can imagine.
(Photos from Gracia's visit to Sanford are posted on the NTM web site, at: web page
-------------------- God bless, Kindgo
Inside the will of God there is no failure. Outside the will of God there is no success.
Posts: 4320 | From: Sunny Florida | Registered: Jun 2002
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