Happy Holidays!

I awoke early this morning with several prayers on my heart. I felt impressed to share these burdens with my friends, knowing that you are men and women of prayer! Here’s what was mainly on my mind:

1) Alistair’s recovery.  The good news is that each day Al’s getting stronger!  But I know there’s a long road ahead, and I’m praying that whatever virus/bacteria/immune reaction that occurred won’t recur or cause more complications.  Pray for patience and a complete recovery!

2) Current fundraising needs. 2007 is nearly over, and there is one project that is especially weighing heavily on my mind.  As many of you know, OHC has begun a media major focusing on video production.  We’re very excited about it, especially at the prospects of not only training but also producing mission-focused materials.  We’ve submitted a bid to do our first production, and have several students enrolled already.  We’ve also gone out in faith and bought some equipment to start with.  But in order to both prepare the students and do the work we want to do we need to a) equip our auditorium with proper lighting, sound, and cameras, and b) pay for the electronic field production equipment we’ve already bought and still need.  The bids prepared assumed at least the basics would be in place. Please pray that God will provide for the needs of His work! I know He will.

I feel better just having shared these thoughts with you and knowing that prayers will be added to mine. What a privilege we have in prayer! I don’t know how those who don’t know Jesus survive when their hearts are burdened.  It is such a relief to cast our cares on Him!

May the remaining days of 2007 be your best yet!

Chester

Luke and Alistair, Ouachita Hills College canoe trip, May 2007.

So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. Revelation 12:17 NASB.

The enemy of souls has made desperate, frontal attacks on two brave soldiers of the cross this week. First, on Wednesday morning, he attempted to take the life of Alistair Huong, who was at that very moment putting the finishing touches on the logistics for the GYC (www.gycweb.org) meetings to begin that very day.  The devil struck while Al was typing at his computer, and suddenly began to experience neck pain.  While the doctors are still undecided as to the diagnosis, Alistair quickly became incapacitated and virtually paralyzed from the neck down due to a spinal cord abnormality or injury. 

Yet Satan’s efforts have been defeated on several fronts.  First of all, the GYC meetings went off virtually without a hitch – a testimony both to God’s power and to Alistair’s wise delegation and careful organization.  Volunteers already in place took up the slack and the meetings composed what were from some accounts the best GYC yet.  The Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way through young speakers and in the lives of young people.  The devil was defeated.

Second, God’s army of young people were drawn closer than ever to Jesus as they united with Alistair’s friends around the world to pray for his healing.  Many searched their hearts and examined their lives, compelled by a renewed sense of the fragility of life and the importance of making each day count for the Lord.  The devil was defeated.

Third, Alistair’s own testimony of surrender to God’s will even in such difficult circumstances has been a witness to all who have come into contact with him.  On Friday evening, Pastor Finley led out in an anointing service by Al’s hospital bed.  He reminded us that Jesus performed no less than seven miracles of healing on the Sabbath day.  Together we read portions of the chapter “Prayer for the Sick” from the Ministry of Healing, and from James chapter five.  We were reminded that when such instructions are followed, God does hear and answer.  God will heal in answer to the prayer of faith – in His perfect timing.  The most important thing is that Alistair, as well as his family and friends – each one of us – be surrendered to the Lord and His purposes.  Al’s testimony, along with his family’s, is that God is still in control and trustworthy.  Again, the devil was defeated!

Fourth, Alistair has shown definite signs of improvement.  Yesterday he was strong enough to breathe without the ventilator and was extubated.  He has been growing stronger, and is able to move hands and feet on both right and left sides.  We are hoping and praying for a complete and speedy recovery. Despite the enemy’s efforts, Al’s life has been spared!  The devil is defeated!

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:28.

As prayers continued to ascend for Alistair, especially from the OHC and GYC family, the devil attacked again.  In what might be termed a freak accident, the life of Luke, an OHC student, was instantly snuffed out. At the last minute Luke decided to catch a ride with a vehicle going his direction instead of taking the bus home from GYC for Christmas.  Along a treacherous stretch of icy highway in Wisconsin, a tow truck was extricating a vehicle from the ditch when the van Luke was a passenger in lost control and struck the truck.  Luke was killed instantly.

But no one who knew Luke has any doubt regarding his commitment to Jesus.  He loved the Lord and was entirely committed to working for the salvation of souls.  The devil could touch his body – but not his spirit.  Luke is now safe beyond the pale of Satan’s influence, sealed by the infinite God till the resurrection morning.  The devil is defeated!

Please continue to uplift Alistair, his family, and the family of Luke during this challenging time. And remember – if you are abiding in Jesus: “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4.

Chester Van Clark III