December 2024
Dear Praying Friends,
Three ladies came to church with fevers but only told us they were sick after
the services. Of course, one of them shared with my wife, Michele, and by
Monday evening, she was feverish and achy. By Tuesday, she was as sick as I
have seen her in years. Christmas came and went and still she suffered for an
entire week until she finally turned the corner. Sunday, we only had four in
attendance plus me. Michele was still too sick to attend. A particularly nasty
type of the flu is making its rounds here in Portugal.
But the ministry goes on. This week, we have had one lady hospitalized for a
serious infection in her eye, another hospitalized for complications in her last
month of pregnancy. Michele, in spite of still being weak and exhausted,
ministered to both ladies and spent the last two days purchasing supplies for
the upcoming baby shower, baking and preparing food and beautifully
decorating the church, (I blew up all 125 balloons and set up the arch, but she
turned the room into a masterpiece!). She went to bed last night at 3 am after
frosting the cake.
Over the years, I have seen my precious wife sacrifice time and time again for
family, for the church folks and for the lost. She never complains, always does
her best (which is phenomenal!) and seeks to glorify Christ in everything. She
has been by my side every step of the way and I am sure will one day hear
from Jesus Christ, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” I am blessed to
be married to her and serve the Lord with her!
So thankful for Michele,
Mark Hale
