This is topic Gracia Burnham update in forum The Christian News at Christian Message Boards.


To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://thechristianbbs.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=13;t=000054

Posted by Kindgo (Member # 2) on :
 
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
 




Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classicTM 6.5.0