Asking for your Prayers

We just returned from Logan's doctor visit this afternoon. The MRI confirmed swelling behind Logan's eye, but without a more invasive procedure at this time, we can't know exactly what's causing it. The specialist believes it is caused by the fungus we are still fighting and reminded us again today that a fungus is "slow to grow, slow to go".

He does feel that Logan has progressed to the point that he is ready to be taken off the Zyvox (antibiotic) that he has been on for 2 1/2 months to fight the MRSA...this in addition to many other antibiotics that he has taken over the past 7 months. He wants to do a trial run to see if the MRSA has been eradicated. Therefore, as of right now, Logan is officially off antibiotics. We are to keep an extremely close watch on him over the next few days for any sign of infection, as we have already dealt with 2 recurrences of the MRSA.

Logan will be left on the antifungal medication until the swelling is completely gone and MRI results are normal - this will more than likely be several more months.

As his mom, I am encouraged and scared at the same time. I am encouraged because I know God is in control and because Logan is better. I am scared because MRSA is a scary thing and I think my stomach will have butterflies for the next few days as I constantly check to see if something's happening....you moms can understand, right?

We are asking for your prayers again. Please help us pray especially over the next 3-5 days (this is how long it took for the infection to recur the last 2 times) that God will lay His healing hand on Logan again and that this time the MRSA will be completely gone. These next few days are the proving time. I know that God is able - we're trusting Him!

Love to all!

Marc and Melodie

Marc has been tagged

Bro. Hight, this is for you, brother...

1) What I was doing 10 years ago...

I was pastoring a wonderful group of people in Franklin, Ohio.

2) 5 Things on my To Do List....

• Write a letter to all the Bible Methodist Pastors in Mexico
• Meet with our Bible Institute president to discuss plans for the future
• Take my son to the doctor
• Pick up the car from the body shop
• Schedule services for our Share Support Tour

3) Snacks I enjoy....

• Crackers and cheese with ketchup
• oven baked doritos with melted sharp chedder cheese topped with a green olive
• Grandpa's mesquite bar-BQ chips with Hidden Valley Ranch dip

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire....

• Invest in Bible colleges, mission works, churches,etc
• Pay medical expenses for my son, Logan
• Purchase a private island in the South Pacific where full-time Christian workers, missionaries could come and rest and "recharge their batteries" for a few days...
• I would also buy a jet in which to shuttle them to and from their field of labor to the island.

5) Bad Habits I have.....

• Forgetting to take the camera to very key places in Mexico where we need photos of the work
• Getting the boys all riled up rough-housing, to the dismay of my wife
• Saving every shred of paper, receipts, etc. because "you never know when I might need it."
• Eating fast food

6) Places I've lived....

• San Pedro Sula, Honduras
• Guatemala City, Guatemala
• Bedford, Indiana
• Cincinnati, Ohio
• Franklin, Ohio
• Alamo, TX
• Edinburg, TX
• Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico

7) Jobs I've held....

• Pizza delivery guy for Dominoes Pizza
• Expeditor for GBS
• Pastor
• Missionary

8)5 people to tag...

• David Fry
• Philip Dickinson
• Philip Burch
• Steve Stetler
• Shane Craycraft

New Blog!

We would like to announce the "publishing" of a new blog - a blog especially dedicated to Bible Methodist Missions in Mexico!

Please take a moment to visit our new blog at www.mexicobiblemethodistmissions.blogspot.com

It is still a work in progress - new information will be added frequently.

Marc and Melodie

Update on Treyton

Thanks for praying for my nephew, Treyton, who was burned a week and a half ago. He's doing as well as can be expected. Still in some pain, having to have his burn dressings changed frequently and now, as of this morning, fighting some infection. Please continue to pray for him.

6 month mark

Today marks 6 months since we came out of Mexico to have Logan's eye issue treated. We thought at the time that he simply had a persistent eye infection and wanted him to see a doctor in the States and get some stronger medicine that would clear it up. We took a few changes of clothes with us and enough things to stay out a few days.............we're still here in Edinburg, Texas, battling this infection and fungus.

The past 6 months have been extremely difficult...but as I've said before, we've seen God's touch on Logan at different points along this journey and are continuing to trust him for Logan's complete healing.

We are to meet Logan's specialist on Wednesday to discuss the results of the MRI he had this past week. Please help us pray that these results will be definitive and that God would touch and heal our son.

Thank you.

Marc and Melodie

Magnetix and Multiplication

Logan - 3rd grade - has been needing some extra practice with his multiplication tables, so yesterday we invited his friend, Joy - 4th grade - over for a Multiplication/Magnetix Activity. They had so much fun designing their magnetix figures all the while learning and drilling those multiplication facts. Here's a couple pics of them.

Medical update: Logan saw his Infectious Disease specialist yesterday. Last week's CT scan showed some swelling behind his eye but because of the specific way the scan was done, the results weren't completely satisfying to the specialist. He decided to order an MRI to get a better look. Logan was taken for the MRI at 5:15 yesterday afternoon. He was a brave little guy, enduring yet another "stick" to inject the contrast fluid and being put in an MRI machine - something else new and unfamiliar. Marc was able to stay right with him and hold his hand and Logan held amazingly still while the technicians were able to get exactly the pictures they needed. The plan is to meet the doctor again next week in his office to discuss the results of this test.

A few more details were made clear yesterday regarding our Share Support Tour this summer and fall as they relate to Logan's health. If he has to stay on the medications, the doctor and pharmacy are going to work with us to help us receive the medication in Indiana or wherever we may be. We are thankful for Dr. Loja and Dr. Linsangan (husband and wife) who have seen this situation through, even during a medical emergency in their own family.

Please continue to pray for Logan - we are still believing that God can completely heal him and remove whatever is causing this swelling behind his eye. He is still pain-free - we are so glad for that.

~ Melodie

Oh almost forgot - we had a Skyline party (with hoarded cans of chili that our family and friends have sent us) last night with Stetlers - delicious - it's Logan's favorite meal!

Treyton

My nephew, Treyton Weaver, had a dirt bike accident yesterday while riding in his grandparent's backyard. He has 2nd degree burns on 2 separate places on his left leg. He was taken to the Emergency Room where the burns were treated and wrapped. My sister, Myranda, has the care of these burns now, involving dressing changes and medications.

Please pray for Treyton that these burns will heal quickly and without any complications from infection and for Myranda and Nathan as they care for him. Thank you.

~ Melodie

Secret Sister

Our RGBI Secret Sister "reveal" party was last night - it was a fun time! I always enjoy being a part of this ladies' fellowship.

And guess what? My secret sister was my neighbor and friend, Cindy! She's good at keeping secrets, that's for sure.

Here's the goodies she gave me last night - she sure knows what I like.

Thanks, Cindy!

Dayton IHC

We'll be there in heart........... and with audio and video streaming this year, we'll be able to almost get the full effect (minus the handshakes and hugs)

Check out the IHC link at the right side of my blog to view the service schedule and to log on!

Another CT

Logan goes in today for another CT scan. This is to let us see the condition of his sinuses and his left eye after several weeks of taking these 2 very strong oral medications: antibiotic and anti-fungal. Clinically, we can see that his eye has not receded all the way, although it's much better. Please help us pray for a good report and that God would give our doctors wisdom as they make decisions based on this scan.


Here's Logan with his little friend, John Lopez.

Success and God's protection

The house hunting expedition was successful! Watch Stetlers' blog for details....www.stetlers.blogspot.com

Thank the Lord for His help! Here's Marc, Beth and Steve with the beautiful city of Saltillo behind them.

We are also so thankful for the Lord's protection over Marc, Beth and Steve. They were involved in a traffic accident in Monterrey on Friday afternoon. A guy driving a truck with a large flatbed trailer hit our van in the front right corner, smashing it in and forcing Marc over against the curb on the other side of the road.

When the cops and insurance adjusters arrived, the guy admitted he was at fault and his insurance is supposed to pay to fix our van. Thank the Lord the van was still driveable and that no one was hurt!

House Hunting

Exciting news: We're leaving tomorrow to go to Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico with Stetlers to begin the search for a home for them to rent when they finish their language studies in mid-May and begin their ministry in Mexico!

Our National President Dolores Hernandez and also great friend Jose Correa have been looking for some possibilities and we'll see what they have come up with and maybe a few more choices this weekend.

We also plan to fellowship with the Hernandez Family, stay overnight 2 nights with the Correa family, fellowship with them, and then attend our San Rafael Bible Methodist Church on Sunday morning before heading home!

Please help us pray that God will lead us to the right home for the Stetlers! Lord willing, our family will be relocating to Saltillo after we raise our Share Support this summer and fall - we are excited about living near our Bible Methodist pastors, churches, and people.

Hopefully we'll have more great news when we return!

Checking in....

Now that I published yesterday's To Do list for the "whole world" to see, I felt like I should be accountable for it...smiles...So I'm reporting in. I accomplished everything on the list (with some help from my darling husband).

That included getting our April newsletter sent - very glad of that. About that -- if you do not receive our email newsletter and would like to, drop me a line at melodiesankey@yahoo.com to be added to our list and receive regular updates on our family and ministry in newsletter form.

Today's To Do list? not publishing that! heehee......

I've been "tagged"

My good friend, Tamra, tagged me so here goes:

1) What I was doing 10 years ago...

• Marc and I were pastoring the Bible Methodist Church in Franklin, Ohio and loving it.
• I was mothering 2 little boys and was just finding out baby #3 was on the way.

2) 5 Things on my To Do List....

• Homeschool 3 boys
• Finish and send out our April Mexico newsletter
• Sweep and mop my floors
• Do a load of laundry

3) Snacks I enjoy....

• Dips of any kind with chips or crackers
• Panera Bread's cinnamon crunch bagel with cream cheese (I'm having withdrawals right now)
• Pretzels
• Fruit with marshmallow creme/cream cheese dip
• Elotes

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire....

• My mind explodes with the possibilities of this on our mission field....definitely invest it in Bible Methodist Missions in Mexico
• Open Bible Methodist works in other Spanish speaking countries
• Designate the entire projected cost of my sons' Homeschool and Bible College education and set it aside
• Pay Logan's medical bills....smiles.....
• Invest in a home for our family in the States to have after our foreign mission work is done.

5) Bad Habits I have.....

• same here, Tamra...turning off the lights all over the house constantly.
• taking out the trash before the bag is completely full.
• putting off dusting - I hate that chore.
• assuming my husband's thinking what I'm thinking

6) 5 Places I've lived....

• Glencoe, Anniston and Brent, Alabama
• Cincinnati, Ohio
• Franklin, Ohio
• Edinburg, TX
• Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico

7) Jobs I've held....

• Receptionist for Dean of Women - GBS
• House cleaner
• Snack Bar Supervisor - GBS
• Piano Teacher
• Homeschool Teacher
• Missionary

8)5 people to tag...

• Myranda, my sis
• Heather L.
• Lori M.
• Vonnie, my sis in law
• Liz S.

Happy Wednesday!

Revival at Soledad

We are so grateful to God for the wonderful revival He gave us last week at our church in the village of Soledad. The Lord helped Marc preach each night, there were seekers at the altar several of those nights and we enjoyed fellowshipping with Pastor Homero and Sis. Esther and the wonderful people at Soledad and the other border churches, Rio Bravo and La Florida. Here are a few pictures of our week. Thank you for praying for us!

Marc preaching in one of the evening services

Our 2 budding guitar players. I don't know how much they contributed to the actual music of the services but they had a good time.

Pastor Homero teaching the Sunday School lesson

Special singing

Leading the congregational singing

Long-time faithful pastor and wife, Homero and Esther Luna

Marc preaches Spanish Revival in Soledad

Tomorrow night is the first service of the revival at the church in Soledad; pastor: Homero Luna. Marc is the evangelist for this revival. Please remember him in prayer when the Lord brings him to your mind that God would make his ministry in the Word effective among our dear Mexican people.