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Brees Newsletter
We the people of Panorama Presbyterian Church; Are committed to: Shepherding one another; supporting a growing faith to reach out and witness to the community, especially to Youth, Single Adults, and Young Families; building unity between the church and its neighbors. We do these things to glorify God and his Son Jesus Christ with the help of the Holy Sprite.
MISSION NEWS
Elder, Tom Marvin, Chairman
The current “Mission Connections” newsletter from the PC(USA) arrived on September 5 th, in it Jim and Carol Brees report on the ongoing work at Memorial Christian Hospital in Sialkot , Pakistan . Carol has her hands full delivering babies (over 8,000 in 2005). They ask for prayers for themselves; co-workers at the hospital; their children, Nate and Rebecca; and for Jim as he Chairs the Board of Directors at Muree Christian School .
The current “Mission Connections” newsletter from the PC(USA) arrived on August 1 st. In it Jim and Carol Brees let us know that their current appointment in Pakistan ends in 2007. They intend to return to the U.S. sometime in mid-June to start their interpretation assignment (including some college visitation for Rebecca and Nate along the way). Needs in Sialkot have not changed, the hospital has asked for them to be allowed to continue their service there; they continue to feel the call to serve at Memorial Christian Hospital . Jim has been elected chair of the Board of Trustees of Muree Christian School.
The school is celebrating its 50 th Anniversary this year. Pray for Jim as he faces the challenges of supporting the school staff and students and pray for Carol and the staff at the hospital.
BREES UPDATE
In a “Mission Connections” newsletter dated March 28, received in late April, we heard from Jim and Carol Brees, PC(USA) Missionaries in Pakistan . For a while venturing out was precarious because of the political cartoon controversy. The jokes became deadly serious in Pakistan . Jim reminds us of what Paul said in I Corinthians 6:12 “Everything is permissible for me— but not everything is beneficial.” Often love demands that we set aside our rights that we might express Christ’s love to the world. In the midst of this all, ministry continues.
Rebecca and Nate spent a recent break in Sialkot with Jim and Carol. Nate is playing on a soccer team for his school. They ask for your continuing prayers for the Memorial Christian Hospital and its staff. In 2005 Carol’s fellow doctors and nursed delivered 8,116 babies!
Mission Connections
PRESBYTERINA WORLD MISSION
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) º www.pcusa.org/missionconnections
The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer œ Study, p. 111 May 2007
Memorial Christian Hospital
Paris Road
Sialkot 91310
Pakistan
jdbrees@yahoo.com
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
Dear Friends,
Confess that I have trouble trusting God’s ways sometimes. This February I lost my dear friend and colleague Sr. Mussarat Yousaf, the one I have been asking many of you to pray for. She was a woman who truly loved Jesus and saw her work as a midwife as her ministry in serving him. Literally thousands of women have benefited from her work in our labor room. Her memorial service was held in the hospital chapel where every inch of space was full and the crowd extended past the doors onto the ground outside. The gray drizzly weather that day mirrored our feelings. She leaves a grieving husband and a 18-month-old daughter.
I don’t understand God’s timing here. But continuing in Isaiah 55, I trust that God’s Word “will not return empty, but will accomplish what [He] desires and achieve the purpose for which [He] sent it.” We mourn our loss, but we do not grieve as those who have no hope, but look for a glorious reunion at the wedding feast of the Lamb.
In less than two months the Brees family will be in the United States for a brief home assignment. We are looking forward to seeing many of you and sharing what God has been doing in our lives. At times it seems to be impossible to squeeze in everything we want to. do. Looking at Jesus in the Scriptures, I am always amazed at how certain He was that He was right where God wanted Him. He did not let his disciples, His enemies, or anyone else set His priorities. When His good friend Lazarus died, He did not rush immediately to pay His respects. (In Pakistani culture that is a major faux pas. I imagine the same was true in Israel as well.) However, when he did arrive, something much more powerful took place! “Neither are your ways my ways.” That keeps coming up, doesn’t it?
So when can we see you? Below is a sketch of our schedule from June 15 onwards. Much is yet to be confirmed, but it will give you an idea of where to find us.
Conference, where we are on staff.
Bible camp programs.
Worship at New Summit Presbyterian Church.
Please uphold us in prayer as we prepare for this time. Much family business needs to be worked in as well. We all have some medical concerns that need to be addressed so that we are fit for another term. We will also be visiting several universities and colleges in light of Rebecca and Nate’s entering 11 th and 10 th grades this fall.
Many particular details (transportation, accommodations, and speaking engagements) are still being worked out. If you have any questions the best thing to do is ask. Our email address (jdbrees@yahoo.com) is the most reliable way to contract us now or while we are traveling.
May we look to God’s priorities for the ordering of our lives in the months ahead!
Yours in Christ,
Carol, Jim, Rebecca and Nate Brees
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