Dear Family and Friends
We hope and pray that you are doing well! Thank you for your prayers and support! Here is an update of where we are.
The Stress of Life
It is easy to get caught up in the business of life –family, job, desires, goals, dreams, etc. – it has a way of creating stress and limiting relationships. I must admit I get lost at times trying to balance it all. In reading scripture, I am left to wonder is Christianity possible in the absence of relationships? I would argue no. Jesus’s ministry is a testament to this –his twelve disciples, preaching, healing of the sick, interactions with the Jewish high priests, etc. His story, and ours, is told in and through relationships. And it is through these relationships that we can see and/or be the “hands and feet of Christ.”
Noll
In December, Noll had his routine cardiology appointment. That echo showed that his heart was enlarging to the point of becoming concerning. We were referred down to Riley’s Children hospital in Indianapolis where they recommended open heart surgery to fix his mitral valve -the procedure itself would only take 5 stiches, but the getting there was the challenge. On April 25th, the surgery was completed and went well. We had a week stay in the hospital and then were discharged home. We are very thankful that Noll is healing and doing well. A follow up echo shows only mild mitral value regurgitation and a normal heart size! (Praise God!).
This was a difficult process for us surrounded by a thousand questions from logistics to doubt, what if something goes wrong. But we survived it, and Noll has done well, not by what we did, but by the grace of God and the relationships we have. Grandma came down and took care of the kids, allowing Fred and Lydia to be present for the surgery. Our church small group came by and not only prayed with us, reminding us of who is in control, but visited us in the hospital and provided meals for several days. School parents helped pick up and drop off our kids to sporting events. A friend from Bible study drove Fred when it was time for Noll to come home. And there were others, not mentioned here, who also blessed us in other ways. This is why we survived and why we are so grateful for the relationships God has blessed us with.
Lydia
Lydia received notice in March that her clinic was being closed and she would be laid off as of June 13th. This was unexpected and a bit of a shock. We are currently praying about what her next steps will be.
This was also a difficult process for us. But, again, we are surviving, not by what we did, but by the grace of God and the relationships we have. Colleagues have been available to talk allowing the event to be mentally and emotionally processed. We are defined not by what we do, but who we are in Christ. Also, a school parent friend put Lydia in contact with another local health system. This is why we survive and are grateful for the relationships God has blessed us with. May we encourage you to stay or get involved in the fellowship of other believers so that you too may see how God can move in or through you.
| And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another –and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 |
Togo (A review of the ministry we are joining)
As of the fall of 2021, we made the decision to return to HBB (Hôpital Baptiste Biblique) as full-time missionaries with ABWE. We are going back to form relationships and be a part of the lives of the Togolese, both those who work at and those who come to the hospital for help as patients. HBB is a medical-surgical hospital that provides outpatient and inpatient care for roughly 16,000 patients a year that includes 2,200 inpatient and 1,000 surgeries. Up until the summer of 2021, HBB also provided OB care that included 600 delivers a year. However, secondary to a lack of OB providers, HBB had to close the OB program. In returning to HBB, we have been asked to reopen the OB service. Our goal is not simply to re-open OB, but to create an in-house midwife training program that will be part of a long-term solution of not only training OB providers and but providing God-centered OB care at HBB brining glory to God’s name
If you are interested you can see more on the hospital and the Togo South Team by visiting: https://abwetogosouth.org . TST has multiple ministries including: aviation, HBB, bible translation and literacy, nurse training, a blind school, Christian schools, and pastoral training.
Fund Raising (promised and actual)
We are pleased to announce that we are at 100% of our one-time costs. A bit lagging behind is our monthly costs at 43%. Thus, we are currently looking for monthly supporters. Our goal is to be ready to depart for the mission field in the summer of 2024!
Would you consider becoming a monthly financial supporter? Fred and Lydia Pfenniger • ABWE
Because of our fund-raising level, we were able get health insurance through ABWE when Fred transitioned to part-time in January —Thank you!
Pre-field Tasks
We are meeting with two couples from ABWE in preparation for departure (goal summer of 2024). Thus, we have identified multiple tasks to complete prior to departure: reading 6 books, 3 online courses, 3 seminars and completing a journal.
Family Update
Fred and Lydia: We are so thankful for our time here in Ft. Wayne and the opportunities the Lord has given us! Lydia has been in a Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), and Fred is meeting with two older Christian brothers focusing on strengthening his faith. Meanwhile, we continue to pray about Lydia’s work situation (as noted above). As of January, Fred transitioned to part- time employment –the goal: to focus more of time and effort on returning to the mission field.
Noah: age 11, finished 5th grade, awarded recognition for his service, A-honor roll, & art (surprise!) -activities: cross country, basketball, track, and swimming.
Nathanael: age 8, finished 1st grade, awarded recognition for kindness, reading and outstanding student. -activities: soccer, basketball, swimming and gymnastics
Noémi: age 5, finished pre-k & speech therapy (thank you Debbie!) -her teacher commented on how helpful she has been. -activities: basketball, gymnastics, swim lessons, & soccer camp
Noll: age 3, finished first year of preschool & speech therapy (thank you Debbie!). -he has been cleared for normal activity by cardiology! Yeah -summer fun!
Prayers: Are vital to us! We are so grateful for them! Please ask the Lord to:
• give us the ability to trust Him when the path ahead is not always clear
• open the door (current obstacles: fund raising and pre-field tasks) for us to return to Togo in His timing and in His will
• give Fred, Lydia, and HBB leadership wisdom as they work through the midwife training program for the hospital (developing HBB’s program as well as interaction with Midwives for Haiti)
• be with us -our children (Noah, Nathanael, Noémi, & Noll) and in our marriage -to give us wisdom, grace, peace -as we look at making small and major life changes over the next few weeks, months, and years
Would you be interested in hearing about our ministry? We would love to share! Please feel free to contact us and we can discuss this more in-person or via phone or email, and would be more than happy to make a presentation. Ways to contact us are email: mail@fredandlydia.com or mobile: 260-402-8907. Thank you again so much for your support and prayers! Please feel free to reach out to us at any time for any thoughts/questions, including how we can be praying for you!
Fred, Lydia, Noah, Nathanael, Noémi and Noll
