February 1987

Dear Brethren;

Greetings and Peace in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

QUICK TRIP BACK TO THE STATES
I am not normally belated in the sending of our monthly newsletter but this past month has really been a hum-dinger. January 15th I received a phone call from one of my brothers in the States saying that mom had been taken to the hospital and she had an aneurysm in the left side of the brain. She was to have surgery the next day. The following Monday he called to say she had the surgery but had suffered a cerebral vasospasm and that she had never regained conscienceness. She had signs of response and reaction but not conscienceness.

On Thursday (our time) the 22nd I received a call from the preacher of the First Baptist Church in Joplin where I had grown up and where my parents are still members and was told that they would cover my airfare home if I would just get on the plane. An hour later the elders called from our home congregation there in Joplin and they said that they had deposited sufficient funds to cover airfare home, get on the plane.
I caught the first available flight out of Auckland which was Friday evening the 23rd. I flew into Tulsa (ice and snow still on the taxiways) via Los Angeles and the Haynes (my in-laws) picked me up and drove me to the hospital in Joplin where I arrived at 01:15, 24th January. (My bag didn't arrive until Monday the 26th.) My father and several of my brothers and sisters were in the ICU waiting room where they had been ever since mom had under gone surgery.

Mom never regained conscienceness but rallied after I arrived until mid day Sunday. We kids would go into her room and read to her and talk with her. With my time clock all messed up I was wide awake in the early morning hours. Early Sunday morning mom was assisting the respirator and showed much brain activity. But by Sunday afternoon the activity had ceased and her breathing was all by machine. Early Monday morning she was pronounced brain dead and final peace was assured when the respirator was turned off.

Save for the initial pain when she first had the aneurysm and she went into the hospital mom felt little pain.

My deepest thanks to the brethren at 4th and Forest in Joplin and the friends of First Baptist Church in Joplin for their contributions to pay for my expenses so that I was able to see and talk to mom before she passed on. She somehow knew I was coming and held on until we were able to be together for one last time. Even though she was unconscience she still showed signs of reaction.

The funeral was as her life-unusual. The First Baptist Church was full and the Joplin police broke precedence by providing traffic escort for the over 100 cars which drove to the graveside. The service at the church building was over an hour long and was punctuated with periods of laughter as the preacher read a letter mom had written to her mother in 1963. The letter outlined mom's daily trials of raising 10 children (3 more were to come) and the way she had of finding the good and humor in these trials. Even in death mom brought laughter into the lives of those who knew her. Everyone left the service uplifted rather than the normal downer. I performed the graveside services with Solomon's first hand knowledge of mom. Solomon knew her for he spoke of her to a 'T' in Proverbs 31:10-19: The Wife of Noble Character.
A wife, mother and friend- gone but never forgotten!

OTHER BUSINESS WHILE IN THE STATES
When I booked the trip to go to Joplin I had to set a return date to get a cheap fare home. I had booked thinking that if mom got better I would be able to help her for several weeks. I had set February 24th as my return date to New Zealand. I also had allowed time to seek more support for our work here and a sponsoring congregation. With the passing of mom I was able to spend some close time with dad and follow up a couple of leads for additional support. I received notification of another $100 per month drop in support but was not able to secure any additional support. This means we are still needing some $1300 per month support for our work. Without the necessary funds we are limited in the scope of operations we will be able to accomplish through the printing ministry and out into the Island Outreach.
Because of the pressing work here in New Zealand and the non-definite appointments with congregations to secure additional support I shortened my trip and arrived back here in NZ on Thursday the 12th of February.

I drove back to Tauranga and was greeted at the Bible College by a much surprised and happy spouse. (She didn't know I was coming back early.) [She hasn't let me out of her sight since.]

MATCHING FUNDS FOR PRINTING EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE
I have for some time been in contact with a real dear friend Reuel Lemmons, the past editor of Firm Foundation and the present editor of Image magazine. Reuel has always been involved in the printing ministry of the brotherhood and knows the real and long lasting effects Bible literature has throughout the world. He is currently looking for congregations and/or individuals who would be willing to match funds with him to help us buy equipment needed to enable us to effectively publish and mail Bible related material throughout the South Pacific.
Bro. Lemmons can be reached at: 5801 Wynona, Austin Texas 78756 (512-459-7500). He says he is waiting for the challenge. MAKE HIS DAY!!

YOUTH WEEKEND CONDUCTED
The weekend I took off back to the States was a Youth Weekend here in Tauranga that I was in charge of. I had arranged everything and dropped it into Kathy's lap. Several of the men filled in for my talks and led singing. There were teenagers from all over the North Island present and I hear they had a real super time. Maybe next time for me.

PRINTING EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE
Here in Tauranga a small printing shop recently sold but the new owner was not able to make payments so the old owner is now trying to sell all the printing equipment again. This equipment includes three presses of which one is a 1250N multilith like mine but his has been totally reconditioned and valued at $5,000 dollars. The other presses are capable of numbering and perforating. The deal also includes an electrostatic plate maker of the type I have but this one is in better condition and a book binding/gluing machine (which we don't have but could use) and sundry other equipment. The man is trying to get a quick sale and is willing to sell it all for just under $8400. CAN YOU HELP? Call Reuel and tell him how much he has to match. This is one of those opportunities where one has to respond quick or someone else will benefit from this exceptional offer. If you are wondering if our family will be able to stay much longer due to recent support losses be assured that we are planning to stay and get this ministry off the ground as long as the finances hold up. We have a few (precious few) notches left in the belt yet! The Lord continues to provide through the generosity of his people everywhere. Thank You so much.

MEMORIAL GIFTS IN HONOR OF MOM
Even though over 100 bouquets and pots of flowers were given in memorial of mom over $500 was also contributed to the First Baptist church library fund and several books were also donated to the Joplin Public library where mom and her mother spent several hours every Saturday morning. In addition over $800. was given to our Oceania Ministries Fund. These contributions have allowed us to put a payment down on a new paper folder for the printing work. Thank You everyone who made this valuable addition possible, mom would thank you also.

Please continue to pray for our needed support and if possible send funds for this printing equipment.

the Huffs