My Dad is with the Lord:
I first of all want to thank you for all your prayers during this time and the prayers that I know you will continue to lift up in the days to come. My father Jimmie Lee White went home to be with the Lord on April the 25th at 2:45 am. While it is painful it is also a relief knowing that he will suffer no more. While we will miss him greatly we know that he is so much better off and we will see him again soon. God’s grace has been real in our lives and I can say that He has taught me a lot during this time. One of the things that have come to my mind often is wishing I could go back and spend many of the times that we had together again. We often say that life is short and fragile and that we shouldn’t take it for granted, but too often we do. A few weeks ago I wrote a letter to my dad telling him how thankful that I was for him. I was able to read it to him before he got too bad off where he couldn’t respond. It was one of the hardest things that I have ever done but when I finished he looked at me and with tears in his eyes, he stretched out his arms and gave me the biggest hug I think he ever has. It was a very special time for me and I am so thankful that I was able to do it. The one thing that I keep thinking though is, I wish I had done it sooner. If I can encourage you in anything it would be, don’t wait to spend that extra time with someone and don’t wait to tell him or her how much you love and appreciate them. Don’t wait until it is too late to make those special memories that you will carry with you for a lifetime. To read the letter that I wrote my dad you can go to our website at www.operationbolivia.com
Titus Turns Two:
This past month our little Titus turned two years old. Our family is very interesting in that all three of our children have been born in different countries. Grace was born in Knoxville Tennessee after I graduated from Bible College. Not that Tennessee is a different country but she is our American born child. Then Taylor was born in Peru while we were in language school. She is very proud and tells every one that she is Peruvian. Last but definitely not least Titus was born in Bolivia. For his birthday we took him to a place where they have the bounce castles and then we had some family over for a small party. You should have seen his face when everyone started singing, not to mention while opening his presents.
Ministry Update:
The Lord continues to bring in the funds towards buying land in Bolivia. This past month a church that is not even a regular supporting church gave $590 towards the land bringing our total to just over $7000. This is truly a blessing to us and we are grateful for their sacrifice. Also we would like to ask you to pray for the Jaime Benitez family. They are a Colombian family that has been helping in the church there since October of last year. This month they were told that they could not remain in Bolivia without doing residence paper work. That means that they will be returning to Colombia a month earlier than planned. That brings up two special requests. First pray for them and the finances needed for their family to travel to Colombia. Also pray for the church in Bolivia. While this will be a challenge for them I believe that it will also be a great opportunity for them to learn and grow. They will be responsible for everything on their own including the preaching. I will be meeting with them via the Internet to help them prepare and carry the load.
Prayer Requests:
1. Continue to pray for my family after the loss of my father.
2. Pray for the leaders in the church in Bolivia as they will be running things on their own.
3. Pray for the funds needed to buy land and build a church building.
4. Pray for the Benitez family as they prepare to return to their home country of Colombia.