April 08 Newsletter
While Suzanne was still home in Australia helping daughter Donna and husband Nathan with tiny baby Jack, Ray’s daughter Christine and husband Matt welcomed Connor James Kavanagh, brother to Danny, on 2 April. Matt, a trainee paramedic, had the privilege of delivering Connor (who weighed in at a big 4.24kg or nearly 9.5lb) before clamping and cutting the umbilical cord.
Toward the end of the month Suzanne left Donna and Nathan’s in Canberra and headed for Queensland to catch up with other family and friends for the remainder of her time in Australia. She will return to China on 10 May after ten weeks away.
Building on Suzanne’s months of preparation with the four Oxford Scholarship Program students, Ray concluded their classes and they sat for the IELTS test on 12 Apr. They all said they found the actual test easier than the mock tests Ray had taken them through, which was encouraging. But despite this, and in spite of all the effort of Suzanne, Ray and the students, their end results were not as good as anticipated.
Nathaniel, one of the members of their Sunday class came to know Christ at Christmas time, and Ray & Suzanne plan to baptise him at a nearby hot springs resort on 18 May.
In the meantime the PDL course they have been conducting on Wednesday nights continues to bear much fruit as many interesting questions are raised, and lively conversation ensues. Many are inspired by learning of God’s purpose for their life, and propose to make changes accordingly.
Ray, Suzanne and Deborah will travel to Beijing in late May to formerly submit their adoption application for Deborah. Enquiries to date indicate that their prospects for success are very remote as there has been no precedent set for an over-age adoption in China. While the same could probably have been said for their successful fostering experience, this application will go to a much higher level of government where they feel commonsense and what is in Deborah’s best interest will not necessarily count for anything.
Praise Points:
Praise Him for the safe arrival of Connor James Kavanagh to Christine and Matt, and brother to Danny.
Praise Him for the quality time Suzanne is getting to spend with family and friends.
Prayer Points:
Continue to pray for safe travels for Suzanne, and for Ray, Suzanne and Deborah during their time of separation.
Pray for Deborah’s adoption process.
Pray for a wonderful time of celebration for Nathaniel’s baptism.
