Hello Everyone,
My pastor for over 20 years, Bro. Alfred Willis is back in the hospital again with heart problems. As many of you know. Bro. Alfred had open heart surgery 9 years ago. On January 31st he had another heart attack. They put in two stints released him from the hospital. He was home 15 minutes and had another heart attack. They took him back to the hospital and put in two more stints. He has been very weak and resting trying to regain his strength, but has had pains in his chest almost everyday since he was released from the hospital. Yesterday it got so severe that he want back to the ER and was admitted for a third time.
I just got off the phone with Marci, his daughter and she requested that I ask as many people as possible, if they could fast 1 meal for Bro. Alfred Willis. So that the doctors could find out what the problem is with his heart. Pray, yes but please go without just one meal one day and pray for him.
I am 5000 miles away and can do nothing to help my pastor of 20 years. But I can do one of the most powerful things this side of heaven. That is fast and pray. Would you please do this for this dear man of God? Thank you for your time.
Dean Hamby has been my friend for over 20 years. His entire family has been a blessing to our family. He serves as the Assistant Director of Macedonia World Baptist Missions. Betty and I served with this great board for 20 years and we now have two sons that are missionaries with Macedonia.
Dr. Hamby’s dad went to Heaven last night at about 1 am. He was a godly man. He and his wife had been married 59 years. They raised a godly family. Two of the sons at least are preachers.
Jason Hamby, grandson, is a missionary with Macedonia and will be coming from Canada to do the funeral.
I love this family. I am in Peru and there isn’t much that I can do to say that I love them except write this little piece but I do highly love and respect this family.
God bless all you, Hambys for what you do and are doing in His service. We love you and thank God for you. From all the way down in South America we extend our love.
Please pray for Hugh Watson. He just called to inform me and wanted you all to know the following: They will not put in a stint right now because he only has a 50% blockage in one part. He is still bleeding internally but it must be from some problem in the gastrointestinal area. Please continue to pray for him.
Also remember Katie Gardner as they believe that what she now has is Hashimoto’s disease. she is doing much better but could really use your prayers.
Thanks for the way you express love for each other and for the Lord.
We have gone through a lot of this recently but here comes one more.
Lindsey Fredman’s grandmother died. I have very few details but she will be buried somewhere in New York. I think the funeral is tomorrow night. I will give you more details the moment I am able to get them. Lindsey’s grandmother was in her 80’s.
Today they are burying Stephanie Velke’s dad. This is a very difficult time for her so please pray for her as well.
As you know Trent Cornwell buried his grandfather last week.
It is just like the verse from the message on Sunday. We all have an appointment with death. I hope you know that you are ready for that day. Hebrews 9:27
CRAVEN, Edward Mr. Edward Eugene Craven, Sr., 47, of Charleston, entered into eternal rest Sunday, March 1, 2009, at the Hospice Center of Charleston.
Funeral services will be held 3 PM, Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Home, Walterboro Chapel. Interment will follow in Glendale Memorial Cemetery.
Mr. Craven was born May 1, 1961 in Walterboro and was a son of the late Murdaugh Craven and Margaret Ann Phillip Craven. He was a painter and enjoyed watching all kinds of sports, especially the Clemson Tigers, and loved going to the mountains.
Surviving are: his children, Stephanie Velke of Atlanta, Georgia, Jessica Ann Trstenjak of Charleston and Edward Eugene Craven, Jr. of North Charleston; foster parents, Jack and Mona Belcher of Goose Creek; brothers, Rudy Preston Craven of Walterboro, Roy Craven of Walterboro, Randy Murdaugh Craven of Walterboro and Johnny Ray Craven of Charleston; foster sister, Jackie Crosby of James Island; a grandson, Noah Brewster; and his best friend and business partner, Bobby Petrizzo.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to: Hospice of Charleston, 3870 Leeds Avenue, Suite 101, North Charleston, South Carolina 29405. Memorial messages and thoughts may be made to the family at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com. Family and friends may call Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro. 843.538.5408. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.
Please pray for Stephanie Velke. We got a call last night a little after 2 am saying that her dad had just died. He was born again so we trust that He is in Heaven. These next few days are going to be very hard for Stephanie so please pray for her. David and Stephanie are students in the Our Generation Training Center and plan to be missionaries in the future.
Betty and I traveled to Charleston, South Carolina today to be with Stephanie Velke. As you know her dad is dying. She is one of our members, wife to David Velke, and future missionaries. I had been out of town on the Pastor’s Retreat that we led, then Jeremy Hall’s ordination. This was the only time that I could get away to come.
We took her out to eat and tried to encourage her and give her some special time tonight. I ask you to be praying for her in this very difficult times.
Also tomorrow Jeremy and Bekkah Hall will leave the USA on their way to Peru, their field of service. God bless them.
This morning when John Pearson arrived to teach a class and work on church projects at 5:45 am he found the church quite damaged and some articles stolen. He called 911. Here are some pictures of the damage.
It appears that our insurance is not going to cover much. We lost about $800 on the window replacement, the flat screen TV in the corner at the entrance and Ronald Tubillas’ computer from the Spanish Auditorium.
Makes me feel like we are back in Peru. Robberies at the church. God will work in this and we will see that He uses even this for His honor and glory.
Trent Cornwell is preaching his granddad’s funeral today in Kentucky. Though he was saved and 90 years old it will be obviously a difficult time.
Charles Gardner, my dad, is at the doctor right now getting tests run. His heart beat is at only 42 per minute. They do not know why and will be running tests for the next 5 hours.
Stephanie Velke is in South Carolina beside the bed of her dad who is dying. This is a very difficult time for her. Her dad is a young man and she is very young. Please pray for her. Betty and I will be leaving in a few minutes to go and be with Stephanie. Please pray.
Hugh Watson is having problems with his heart and is in the hospital. His heart beat had gotten up to 200 a minute. It could be the medication but we ask that you please be praying.
