WIKLUNDS NEWSLETTER 2006

July 28th, 2006

At Missionary TECH Team prayers go up on behalf of others throughout the week as we gather together during our chapel service. On Friday each week we spread out into smaller groups to pray for the specific request that come in from friends and supporters of the mission.

There are many request for health, daily provisions, salvation of family members, and spiritual growth for those who wavier in their minds.

For years my son was drifting further away. Independence carries a big price. Often I would think of the story of the prodigal son wasting his life (Luke.15). It reminded me of myself years ago. But one aspect of the story amazes me, it was the father's growing dependence upon God, looking, waiting, no doubt praying for his son's return. It appears that he had an attitude of forgiveness and not bitterness, an attitude of unconditional love. There was no guarantee that the younger son would return only to leave again. There was no guarantee that the elder son would return to his senses also and exchange bitterness for forgiveness. But the father must have known that as he yielded his life to God's desires, there would be an open door of hope for others to change as well.

A few weeks ago my son, who is stationed in Mosul Iraq, called home to say he had rededicated his life to the Lord, starting reading his Bible again. and attended a military chapel service for the first time in two years. This was good news indeed.

We had hope he would return home in September for a one month military leave. But he called the other day to say his upcoming leave was cancelled. He couldn't give details to where he might be going, but said to watch CNN. There I heard that the 172nd Brigade is being deployed to help the increasing crisis situation in Bagdad.

I know not whether I shall see him again, but I am glad he has returned back home to our Heavenly Father.

Keep praying for our sons and daughters. We will keep praying for yours as well.

Larry Wiklund
Graphic Designer
Missionary TECH Team

April 4th, 2006

Praise: Melissa has finally been given full-time employment with health benefits at the credit union where she has been working part-time for the pass few years. Pray that she continue to be a hard worker, alert and careful as there are some co-workers who tend to take advantage of her.

Melissa and I will pick up Betty at the Dallas airport tomorrow. Her sister paid her way to fly up to Settle for Al and Carol Holt's wedding anniversary. Al and Carol Holt both had the flu despite the flu shots and Al seems to be getting weaker and skinnier. So they felt this would be a good time to get together while they are still mentally alert.

Jeremy should be getting a couple of weeks leave from Iraq. He will be spending the first week with friends in Houston. We should see him in Longview around April 17th. I do not believe he is walking close to the Lord. Pray that God will awaken within him his need for God's strength and not his own.

Larry's left wrist continues to hurt. Doctor thinks it's an infected tendon, but it could an arthritic condition which he has also been diagnosed with.

Been working on some interesting literature projects. One to help a missionary church plant in Ireland. Printing is so much more expensive there than here. Another is for Ernest Ehabe with Bread For Life in Cameroon, where printing may be less expensive, but the quality in printing there is less than desired, and this for some becomes a stumbling block. Expectations may keep rising, but the simplicity of the gospel message in reliance of God's power can penetrate and reach the lost.

I have two junior high schoolers in my Sunday school class. I am having a difficult time in getting the one hyperactive intelligent student to stop interrupting, sit still and listen. Pray that God will turn his energy into useful ministry.

At church some months ago our pastor resigned after over thirty years of faithful ministry with this local church body in part due to health reasons and the need to care for his parents. He plans to continue to fellowship with us. Looking for potential candidates to pastor this small church is a big challenge for the elders.

Thanks for your prayers and support,

Larry and Betty

January 19th, 2006

"The Son"

This is a story sent to me years ago that depicts what people value most in life.

Medical Update: For the inflamed vein in my arm, the Doctor has prescribed Clindamycin 150mg to be taken, two capsules, three times daily for ten days. It is also known as lincomycin antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.

Larry

January 18th, 2006

The other day I place my watch/band on my right wrist so I could let my left wrist to continue its healing. What I noticed right off was the right wrist was swollen; later in the day it became more painful so I took the watch off. In the morning I had a red inflamed painful vein in my arm. I thought I might have pinch it in some way with the watch, but Betty believed that it was Thrombophlebitis. I thought of just toughening it out. Throughout the day the redness increased outward about 5 inches. Since my physician does not work in the office on Wednesday afternoons, I will have to wait another day to set up an appointment. Hopefully antibiotics will help.

Other news: I have added in Tutorials an article sent from a missionary concerning: Sending Photos by E-mail.

Larry

January 14th, 2006

We have a need for skilled volunteers to help us make needed repairs on our house. To fix the chimney flashing & roofing tiles around it, electrical box and other loose wires hanging about, repainting outside wood work, and replacing door sills where portions of the house has sunk down.

Our insurance company was bought out by Kemper, and Kemper is canceling our policy in March. We will not be able to get reinsured from anyone until these items are fixed.

Praise God for John Goodding and Jim Shepherd who came out Saturday and helped repair some of the tiles and trimming of tree limbs that caused the problem. We were much encouraged by their kindness.

Larry

January 6th, 2006

Since our daughters emergency room episode, Dec. 20th, we have now received an non-itemized bill for over $5,000. This is hard too swallow, and can take a long time to pay off, depending how much pressure they put on us.

Larry's left wrist is getting better, while the Celebrex does make one's stomach uneasy.

Larry