We Couldn't Do It Without You!

We would like to take a moment and say "thank you!" to all of you who support us financially. We couldn't do it without you! Thank you for each of your gifts, both large and small. Together we can accomplish our part of what God wants to do in Hungary. In just two months, we will be returning to Hungary to carry on the work there. Thank you to all of you who have supported us for a long time and to all of you who are just now beginning. God bless you all!

Levi in the Hospital

Our grandson Levi is still in the hospital, recovering from the surgery he had last week. Today (Tuesday) a couple of the smaller pins they put in his pelvis are being removed and a body cast is being put on him. Now at least he will not have to be in traction, unable to be moved or held. He is doing well and the doctors are pleased with his progress. As difficult as it is to see the little boy in his present condition, we are thankful that world-renown doctors are working with him and that this discomfort will lead to a better life for him. We are also thankful that we were able to be with him and his mom and dad for a little while during this time. Thank you again for all your prayers. God is hearing and answering!

Update on Levi

Levi in a hospital crib with his legs in traction

We thank the Lord that Levi's surgery yesterday went very well. Thank you to all of you who prayed and are praying for him. The doctors successfully placed his bladder inside his body, moved some other things into proper place and broke and re-set his pelvis into the correct position. The doctors were pleased with the outcome. Levi is now in stable condition in an induced coma for about three days with his legs in traction so that he does not move or cry and tear out his stitches. This will allow the pain to subside and his body to heal faster. Please join us in praying that infection stays away and that he will recover quickly.

We are so thankful that we were able to be here and to support Paul and Kate during this difficult time.

Levi's Operation This Week

Please pray for our grandson Levi this week. He is scheduled for major surgery on Wednesday the 20th. This surgery will last several hours and will include placing his bladder in his abdomen and breaking and resetting his pelvis in proper position. Levi is wearing a helmet again in preparation for the surgery. He will be sedated for up to a week to keep him from tearing out any of his stitches and will still be on his back after that for up to three weeks. They don't want Levi's head to lose its nice round shape during that time.

So, please pray for Levi and his parents this week for total healing for the little boy and for God to be glorified through his life. Thank you!

Unexpected Blessing

We have to tell you what happened last week. Our friend Jay West, an evangelist based in Omaha, kept telling us about his home church, Eagle's Nest. He told us how this multi-racial church in an inner-city neighborhood reaches out to the community, feeding the hungry and ministering to other needs. In fact, they have been so effective in this ministry that the crime rate in that neighborhood dropped enough to get the attention of the police department. The police chief came to the church to give them an award for their service, and the church presented the surprised police chief with a sizable check for bulletproof vests for the department! Jay went on to tell us how Eagle's Nest is a world missions-minded church. The lead pastor, James Hart, grew up in Brazil since his parents were missionaries there. Jay said we needed to meet Pastor Hart and so, at Jay's insistence, we set up a meeting.

We talked with Pastor Hart for about twenty minutes before their regular Wednesday night service. We enjoyed our short talk with him and could sense his love for God and his heart for missions. After our visit, we joined Jay and his wife for the church service. Following the praise and worship time, Pastor Hart came up and said that some special missionary guests were in the service, that he didn't know us well, but that he wanted us to enjoy the service. He called us forward, had two chairs brought up for us and asked people to come pray for us. As they prayed for us, we could feel the powerful presence of God. Then we noticed people, one at a time, slipping up in front of us and quickly returning to their seats. They were dropping money at our feet! We were totally amazed! Not only were we refreshed by the prayers of the people and the presence of God, but these amazing people gave to strangers they didn't know at all, toward a ministry they knew nothing about! Wow!

After the service, we were handed a large check. We had to return to Des Moines that night, but all the way home, we basked in the presence of God. God is good! Thank you, Jay West, Pastor Hart and Eagle's Nest!

Any questions?

Looking at the display table

Three times more this weekend we set out several items and pictures on our display table. It is fun when people look at our things and ask us questions. We enjoy talking about Hungary and what God is doing there.

Where are Mike and Nancy in April and May?

Here's our itineration schedule for the rest of April and May. Hope we can see you when we are in your area! We still have some open evenings if any churches in Iowa would like us to come. Just send us an email!

• Saturday, April 9, 7:00 p.m., Faith Open Bible Church, Marshalltown, Iowa


• Sunday, April 10, 10:30 a.m., First Church of the Open Bible, Cedar Rapids, Iowa


• Sunday, April 10, 5:00 p.m., Living Church of Jesus Christ, Eldridge, Iowa


• Saturday, April 16, 6:00 p.m., The River Church, Jordan, Minnesota


• Sunday, April 17, 10:00 a.m., Living Bible Church, Austin, Minnesota


• Sunday, April 24 ** Resurrection Day!!! **


• Sunday, May 1, 10:00 a.m., Spirit Life Fellowship, Spirit Lake, Iowa


• Sunday, May 15, Open Bible Church, Winfield, Iowa


• Sunday, May 22, 10:00 a.m., First Church of the Open Bible, Clear Lake, Iowa

Also coming up on April 20 is our grandson Levi's surgery. Please pray for Levi and his parents. This is a major surgery and he is expected to be in the hospital for one month. We are very thankful that we will be able to be there when he has this surgery, but we would be even more thankful if God would heal Levi before he needs it!

Visiting the Past

The last couple of weeks we were visiting several churches in Illinois. We were able to meet up with old friends and made several new ones. Everyone was very receptive and hospitable and we really enjoyed our time there. Thank you to everyone for making our time there so enjoyable!

While we were nearby, we decided to visit Dixon, IL where we had pastored for 5 years from 1981-1986. In fact, our youngest son, Matt, was born here.

The famous Dixon arch

The former Open Bible Church building

Dixon is also the boyhood home of Ronald Reagan. He was President of the US while we lived in Dixon, so we had a chance to see him when he visited during the dedication of his boyhood home. Actually, we saw the back of his head while he was being driven in the motorcade to the conference center where he was to speak.

President Ronald Reagan's boyhood home

Statue of President Ronald Reagan

Not too far from Dixon is a small town called Grand Detour. This is where John Deere came as a young man and became the blacksmith for the area. The pioneer farmers had been using the cast iron plows that they brought with them from the east, but they found that the thick, muddy soil of the area was sticking to the plows. John Deere noticed the problem and invented the self-cleaning steel plow that made plowing easier for these farmers. It is from these simple beginning that John Deere became one of the foremost names in farm equipment.

John Deere's blacksmith shop where it all began

John Deere, Ronald Reagan and now the Juntunen family: famous people who have connections with Dixon, Illinois. :)