“But I would that ye should understand, Brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the Gospel” (Philippians 1:12) 

Many times we go through hard and difficult trials, which we cannot understand. But some day we will look back and know that God had a plan for us that was, not only for our best, but also for God’s best; and that is really what we want.

“THE IRON GATES TO KIEV ARE OPEN!”  During our Visitation of the Holy Spirit in the Glory Tabernacle, which began the day of Jim’s Memorial Service, and lasted thirty days, I decided against going to Ukraine for ministry, as I had planned. When I phoned to cancel my trip, the leader, Pastor Russ Porcella of the New Covenant Fellowship in Knoxville, TN, encouraged me to wait one more week, and they would pray for God to give me a sign. That night Phil Vaughn, a young prophet who was our speaker, began with the prophetic words, “The Iron Gates to Kiev are open, and a great harvest is waiting to be gathered in.” I took this as a Word from God, because he had known nothing about my plans. The next day I phoned the ministry and told them I was going to Ukraine. I still believe I was in God’s will. There were 41 members on the team. We split up into eight smaller teams and went to eight different parts of Ukraine. There were four of us from Engeltal; Larry Groves, Linda Hartzell, Doreen Shurley and myself.

 I felt I owed a debt to Ukraine because it was that part of Russia that took in my forefathers during their days of wandering after they were banished from their homes in Switzerland and Austria for the Gospel’s sake in the 1700’s. My team ministered in the area where they had lived for one hundred years. They came to America from there. I ministered with tears and gratitude to the descendants of these good people who had welcomed my people and given them land to farm where they had lived in peace. 

The strange thing is that it was close to Chernobyl where the terrible explosion took place at the atomic energy plant 21 years ago. Much of that part of Ukraine was ruined by that disaster. It will be years before it will be habitable again! We visited a city that had been evacuated by all the people, but some are now returning to live there. We were told of a town, which had been deserted, except for one woman, so we drove out there to see her. She told us that all her family was in the graveyard, and she alone was alive. She had no electricity, running water, nor any of the usual modern conveniences; her only living companions were her three dogs, a milk cow and a calf. We spent some time talking with her and prayed with her. I will never forget that haunting scene of a town in ruins, and one brave woman! 

IRON GATES OPEN:  The following day, Wednesday, April 18, we returned to Kiev, the capital. It was while visiting the Iron Lady, the symbol of the former Soviet Union’s great military strength, that my accident happened, which changed my future for the next few months. I was getting out of the tourist bus, not realizing that it was high up from the ground, my legs gave way under me and I fell, breaking my right ankle, my left femur just above the knee, and my left shoulder. The team picked me up and put me on a wheelchair; and a man who worked there came with a big key and OPENED THE IRON GATES TO LET US INSIDE THE AREA: Thus prophecy was fulfilled!   

EMERGENCY MEDICAL AIRLIFT TO GERMANY:   I was hoping that it was not serious in spite of the fact that I heard my bones crack and break. I spent the night in the hotel, praying and waiting; but when morning came and I was still in much pain I was willing to let them take me to the hospital in an ambulance. That is when the local orthopedic doctor, a young Palestinian from Gaza, after taking X-rays told me how seriously I was injured. He offered to perform surgery the next day, but I felt I wanted to return to USA if possible. After waiting a couple days I was flown by air ambulance with a doctor and attendants on a Luxemburg medical airlift to the American Military Hospital in Germany, landing at Landstuhl Airbase at about 1:00 A.M. Saturday, April 21. I had this privilege only because Jim was a retired U.S. Air Force Officer. 

CASUALTIES FROM THE WAR IN IRAQ:   I will never forget this God-given experience of seeing our boys and girls being airlifted in from Iraq and the Middle East. It is heart breaking to come face-to-face with the facts and hear their cries of pain in the darkness of the night.

BY LUFTHANSA TO CHICAGO AND ARKANSAS:   I had hoped they would perform the surgery in Germany, but they said that they were not willing to, and that I must be flown to the USA. They were too busy with REAL casualties. But they treated me with much kindness, and I met many wonderful Christians. Finally, the decision was made to fly me by Lufthansa to Chicago on Thursday, April  26. I was given a first class seat because I had to lie down all the way. It was a long flight, but finally we arrived. I was carried by stretcher through customs, etc. and placed in an ambulance, which drove me from O’Hare to Midway Airport, where another air ambulance was waiting to fly me to Fayetteville, AR. I arrived at Washington Regional Medical Center after midnight, tired, and in pain. 

PROGNOSIS AND SURGERY:   The next day, Dr. Chris Hanby, my doctor who had cared for me when I had my last accident, came to visit me, ordered X-rays, and gave me the prognosis. They have 12 operating rooms but all were booked until Wednesday, May 2. You all prayed, and on Monday morning, (April 30) I was operated on. God had done two miracles by this time — my right ankle was almost healed, and my left shoulder showed no sign of a fracture. Praise the Lord! The surgery took over two and a half hours because the part of the bone that had broken off had to be restored to where it belonged and a plate with eight screws secured it in place. The surgery took place 12 days AFTER the accident! On Wednesday, May 2, I was taken to the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, where I remained until Tuesday, May 22, one day less than six weeks after my accident. 

COMING HOME!   Little did I dream, when I left home on April 12 that so many weeks would pass before I would be able to return. Everywhere I went the Lord gave me wonderful opportunities to witness for Him. I met many kind and good people who work hard, long hours to bring healing and comfort to the sick and the dying. But now I was home, at last! My wonderful staff, who had prayed so hard for me and stood by faithfully, had prepared everything for my homecoming, and they moved me into the newly constructed one level part of our house. I came home with mixed feelings, Larry was driving me home, and as we turned to come down the hill to Engeltal, he said, “It’s a new beginning.” Immediately tears came to my eyes, as I answered, “Yes, and it’s a hard beginning, for this is the first time Jim won’t be here to welcome me home!” Yesterday was his birthday. The Michigan Branch sent me beautiful flowers in remembrance of Jim’s birthday. It was a wonderful and kind gesture of love. Thank you, my dear friends!  

“WHO IS THAT WOMAN?”   That was the question the staff of the hospital were asking when my room was filling up with beautiful bouquets of flowers, gifts, e-mails, cards and letters etc. from you precious friends who were so quick to send your demonstrations of love and concern. There were also many, many phone calls. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I could feel your prayers and your love.

I have had to cancel many meetings, but the 2^ND OZARK GLORY TABERNACLE CAMP MEETING in Engeltal (July 16-21) is still ON inside our air-conditioned Tabernacle. So is the INTERNATIONAL ALL-NATIONS CONVENTION (August 20-24) in Winnipeg. One hotel is already fully booked. Something is happening in Canada. Don’t miss it!  (See ad and registration forms.) 

Sharon and Phil did a wonderful job at filling in for me in Niagara Falls, Blue Mountain Retreat and Ohio End-Time Handmaidens and Servants Convention. The Lord sent special guest speakers, such as our dear friend, Rev. Doris Swartz and others. 

I am taking home-therapy now, in this new part of the house, trying to catch up on correspondence, and slowly getting my strength back. My Handmaidens and Servants are taking good care of me. Their love is like a part of heaven. 

Your prayers and gifts and love offerings are very important at this time. The work is growing every day. Today a new End-Time Handmaiden arrived from Spain, Cecelia. I know she will be a blessing to the staff. 

I hope to see many of you at the Summer Camp Meeting in July. Please don’t disappoint me! I am praying for you all!