March/April, 2024 O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Isaiah 25:1 Dear Praying Friends, Our God is so faithful and His counsels are always right. God has blessed us and the services and travels that we have made. It blesses us to see how God is still working in America, even though many appear to have turned their back on Him. HE still is faithful and never changes. Recently, Gary’s closest friend, brother in the Lord and hunting buddy, Wendell Drake, passed away. Many times, we would arise early to hunt, eat breakfast, and then sit at the table sharing Bible verses or questions until afternoon. Thank you for those who responded that they were praying. Pray for the family as they adjust to this loss. Ann’s mother, Casey, was diagnosed with cancer just as we were preparing to come home on furlough. Through pin-
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Wendell Drake Obituary 83, of St. Albans, West Virginia left to be with the Lord on March 16, 2024 after an extended illness. He was born in Amma, West Virginia on September 8, 1940, to the late James Franklin Drake and Mildred Lucy Reed Drake. He was also preceded in death by sister Jacqueline Drake Clepper and brother Raymond A. Drake. Wendell is survived by his wife Patricia Drake of St. Albans: sons Bruce Drake of St. Albans and Jeffrey Drake of St. Albans; sisters Patsy Flensborg of Vienna and Helen Perrow (Ed) of Lilburn, GA; brothers Foster Drake (Mary Louise) of Anderson, SC, Harlan Drake (Phyllis) of Spencer, David Drake (Carmen) of San Antonio TX and Ernest Drake of Mineral Wells; grandson Andrew Drake of Charleston; and many other extended family, church family, and friends. The Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 Noon Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home with Pastor John Koster officiating. Burial will be at Eventide Cemetery, Spencer, Wes
Special Prayer Request My very special friend, Wendell Drake, has been fighting for his life for about a week. He was taken to the hospital with fever and diagnosed with double pneumonia. Since that time, he has been put on a respirator and his kidneys have been failing, making dialysis necessary. The doctors have not given a very optimistic outlook and it appears that he will be going home before long. Please pray for him, the doctors and mostly for the family. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16 Gary
Please pray for the family of GABRIEL, the caretaker on the propert y we live on in Mexico. He often would cross the four lane highway to the village every Sunday night. He was apparently crossing it and was hit and killed by a vehicle. He leaves various children and his wife . He lived next door to us and we have witnessed to him many times, but as far as we know, he never asked the Lord to save him. Please pray for Cheyenne and her boys who are very close the family. This will be like losing a family member. Ethan, her younger boy, has been having emotional stress just because we have been gone "so long." This will be devastating especially to him. Pray for comfort and understanding. Gary and Ann
January, 2024 Psalm 89:8 O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? Dear Praying Friends, We are so thankful of the Lord’s calling and provision through these years of service. We are aware that not all are called into full time service, but we would not change these past forty years of experiences for any other type of work. There have been many wonderful blessings as well as very difficult tribulations, but He has always been faithful. God continues to bless the work in Mexico by teaching our folks the necessity of trusting God, not man. Recently they received the property tax bill for this year and were discouraged because they did not have the money. They immediately turned to us (which we will help them), but I suggested that Cheyenne, our daughter, try to make sure they have done all they can to raise the money. The deaf can quote all the reasons and verses for faithful giving