22 July 2013
Dear Family & Friends,
Major Events Recap: Our recent time in the US was packed full of joy and sorrow. We landed in California on April 3rd, received word of Kathy’s father’s failing health and sent her to Wyoming on the 5th in time for Jim Redman’s departure to heaven on the 6th!! Not the way we had planned to begin our 3 month mini-furlough! This was followed in only a few days by Averill spraining an ankle, and then unexpectedly flying to Kentucky for the funeral of a beloved uncle.
In spite of a rocky start, we rejoice in the opportunities we had for significant time with our kids and grandkids as well as many other family members. Our travels took us to CA, WY, IN, KY, WA, MI, IL and finally back to Chiang Mai on July 6th! It was a blessing to spend time with many of you, our dear friends and supporters, some of whom we hadn’t seen for a very long time!
Health Crisis: Our trip ended with Kathy in the ER the day we were scheduled to fly back to Thailand. Most of you know she was diagnosed with Temporal Arteritis (GCA – Giant Cell Arteritis), which rocked our world for awhile. A prayer alert went out and God was faithful to provide an ER doctor who recognized the symptoms and started Kathy on steroids right away, as well as finally providing relief for excruciating head pain she had felt for several days!! http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000448.htm
Through a series of "miraculous" connections, we confirmed the presence of competent medical care in Chiang Mai which freed us to fly back home a week later than planned—with no airline penalties!! The good news is that (1) we are very impressed with the team that is treating Kathy—an internist, a neurologist, and an ophthalmologist; (2) she has been able to see clients for a few hours each day! (A blessing, as she is the only clinician at Cornerstone this month!); and (3) it appears that there has been no permanent nerve damage to her eyes. She must wait two more weeks for a visual field test, but we are hopeful she will then be able to drive again! 
These are all answers to prayer, and we are deeply grateful for your love and support during this time. GCA acts like an auto-immune disease, so some days are better than others. Kathy still
192/245 Soi 17, Mubaan KoolpuntVille 6 ●Moo 4, T. Maehea, A. Muang ●Chiang Mai 50100 THAILAND Averill’s Phone from US: 011.66.84.482.9961 ●Kathy’s: 011.66.84.482.9962 E-mail: AverillandKathy@msn.com ●averillnallen@msn.com ●kathya@ccfthailand.org Financial Support: Mission to Unreached Peoples ●PO Box 860548 ●Plano, TX 75086-0548 Write AKATH01 on the memo line and our names, if you’d like, on an attached Post-It note; OR give securely on-line at: www.gati.info/ol/allenak
experiences significant fatigue, and occasional light-headedness, but overall is encouraged at her ability to function fairly normally. The doctor will begin to lower the steroid dosage next week, so we shall see how that goes.
 

What Is Ahead? Averill continues to mentor and consult with MUP workers in Thailand and Cambodia. He will also be investigating and identifying promising entry points to initiate work with several unreached people groups. New workers have been recruited and are being trained for placement in locations where the Gospel has never been heard and/or where no Jesus fellowships exist. It is exciting to be involved in this phase of advancing the Kingdom by taking the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth!! Please pray for wisdom and stamina as Averill enters this new dimension of ministry—in addition to his ministry of caring for a chronically ill wife!  PRAISES: We are so thankful for:

PRAYER PARTNERS: Please continue to lift up:

 Each one of you…your caring messages & prayers.
 Special connections in the US. Lots of family fun!!
 Our generous Father’s financial provision in some very unexpected ways!
 Kathy’s encouraging recovery.

　
 Kathy’s health
 Averill’s MUP responsibilities
 Kathy’s dear mom and family members as they grieve Jim’s passing
 More workers to bring in the harvest of souls in this part of the world