Photos of Cindy and our girls

Tornado!

Thanks to a friend, we can show you this picture of a tornado seen near Phnom Penh in the last day or two. Awesome, huh? Thanks, Isaac, for letting us use the photo for the blog.

Updating You on Cindy

The doctors are still unsure about the exact nature of Cindy's problem. She had another CT scan yesterday and goes for an MRI today. Cindy has been having some terrible problems with her lower back and spine, near her tailbone. She has so much inflammation that they couldn't see the x-ray well, so they're doing the MRI today. We have learned that tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, and another disease called cestodic tuberculosis can spread and cause the kind of pain that she's having in her lower spinal region. She was hurting so badly yesterday that she was unable to get up out of a chair without considerable effort. We appreciate your prayers for Cindy and will keep you informed as we learn more.

What's Up?

Well, we are still in Texas. I just got back from a missions conference in the beautiful state of Connecticut. Wow, the leaves are changing and the weather was nice and cool. It was cold enough in the mornings to use a fireplace.

Cindy is still following the TB program here in Texas. The program lasts a minimum of six months. She was supposed to have another CT scan this month, but funds are tight, so we will delay it another month. This economic recession, downturn, whatever you want to call it, is really affecting missionaries. Love offerings are down. Sometimes you go to a church and the love offering doesn't even cover the cost of the expenses to get there. This isn't complaining; it's just the truth. People are afraid of what the economy is going to do. This trickles down to the missionaries on deputation or furlough.

Our Social Security withholding went up. Our health insurance (like yours) went up. We have seen our support for the orphanage decrease by $500 a month all of a sudden. Inflation in Cambodia is at 24%. All in all, this adds up to a decrease in monthly available support of $1,100 not counting the inflationary rise.

We, as well as all missionaries, need your faithful prayers and support! Our Lord has called us to go into all the world with the Good News! We couldn't do this without your faithful prayers and support.

Family Things

Hi everyone,
Here's an update on how things are going around here. Cindy's still undergoing treatment for what seems to be a "tb-like bacteria" She is having some pains in her chest and will be going to the doctor to follow up on that.

Well, the girls are still trying to do whatever they can to raise some funds for their trips: Leah has an upcoming mission trip to a "Creative Access Nation" and Kayla to our nation's capitol. Pray for my girls as they see the Lord work in their lives. If you can help them, please let us know at our email address: haas4cambodia@yahoo.com

I just got back from Louisville, Kentucky. The mission conference was cancelled due to damages inflicted by Tropical Depression Ike. It was great to hear Bro. Trivette preach in person. I've listened to many of his messages on tape throughout the years.

Cindy met Fox News anchorwoman E.D. Hill recently and that was cool. She had her photo taken with her also.

Leah and Kayla

Our daughters Leah and Kayla are enrolled in a local Christian school here. Because of Cindy's health and ongoing treatment, we are staying in the US longer. As a result, we've enrolled them in school here. God really blessed in all this in that He provided a scholarship for our girls that drastically reduced their tuition at the school.

Part of the curriculum involves our girls making trips to different places. Kayla's class will be going to Washington, D.C. and seeing the museums and different monuments. Leah will be going on a mission trip. Because of the delicate nature of the trip, we won't be disclosing the location until after she is back and the trip is over. She is going to be doing different and creative ways of raising funds for the trip. Some of this is school-sponsored fundraising and then she'll be trying to raise some on her own. We appreciate all who helped her last time and prayed for her last trip back in 2008. She'll make this next trip in 2009. Please pray for both Leah and Kayla as they work hard to prepare for these school trips. Pray that the Lord will open doors for them to get the sponsors they need. God bless you all!

School, Cindy, Cambodia

We are enrolling the girls in school here in Dallas. As many of you know already, our furlough is being extended for medical reasons. Cindy has more to be done before we can go back to Cambodia. In the meantime, I am making a trip back to Cambodia in about a week. I'll be staying for three weeks to a month, then returning to the U.S. We have some mission conferences scheduled for the upcoming autumn months.