We appreciate the letters and cards from preachers and other good friends in our fellowship of evangelism and writing.  Within the past year I've been unable to travel and conduct meetings but I'm still able to write the News and Views column for the Sword of the Lord as well as a few other messages, and also attempt to help people who write or email me.  We also are still filling orders for my books.  For the most part my preaching has been limited to a few Sunday or Wednesday night appointments in churches close by.

We've battled colon surgery, stomach and other internal problems and then in preparation for a colon procedure learned that my heart is not beating and behaving properly.  So in January I spent 10 days in Jacksonville at Mayo's Clinic for a general and very thorough check-up and overhaul.  I think they tested me for almost every ailment known to man.  Well, not quite!  But it was detailed and exhausting.  My beloved wife, Esther, had fallen and broken a vertebra in her back, so could not accompany me to Mayo's as she was in a brace and in a lot of pain.  My daughter and son-in-law. Barbara and Grayson Dawkins, drove me to the clinic and helped me in many ways during those rugged days of tests and procedures.  We were able to get hotel rooms right adjoining the Clinic.  Good friends and wonderful neighbors at home looked in on Esther, brought her food, etc.  She is now out of her brace and much better, thanks to the Lord!

The Doctors are still working with me on diet and medication for my ailments.  We found that I have an enlarged heart with two bad valves.  Radical open heart surgery would, if I made it through, replace one valve and repair the other.  It might give me a few extra years but since I'm now past my 88th birthday they would not likely be robust and fruitful years.  Then there is the risk of stroke.  So we're praying and trusting the Lord to keep us going, and at least be able to maintain a ministry of writing.

As I told the doctors at Mayo's I'm a Christian and ready for Heaven but do not want to leave my wife and other loved ones behind as long as I can be a blessing to them and serve the Lord.

MANY WONDERFUL YEARS

I was ordained to preach in 1940, the same year I married Esther.  We've been steadily at it for 65 years and only had to stop the travel circuit to meetings in 2005.  The motor home is still sitting out here ready to go if God performs a miracle and gives my strength back.  Mayo doctors think I should slow down to mostly writing, which I've had to do anyway these past two years.  I have what they call congestive heart failure among other things.  I love to write.  Pray that my eyes will regain some strength as they've grown very weak and tired, especially after the morning hours.  God is still on the throne! 

Thanks for your cards, calls, and for your faithful prayers!

Hugh Pyle