November 2, 2010
Dear Friends,
We are rejoicing as we look back over what Dan calls “a spectacular year”. The work God does is “spectacular”!
“Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him, talk ye of all His wondrous works.”
I Chronicles 16:9
Last week we watched with wonder the miracle of salvation take place in the hearts of three precious souls. We couldn’t help but think of the angels rejoicing in heaven as we thrilled in our souls to see these new believers enter Christ’s kingdom and partake of the hope of heaven. Pray for them as they begin a new walk in the righteousness of Christ.
This year has been a year of expansion and growth for the little Ceaseless Love Ministries which began three and a half years ago. Though small in the beginning, we are amazed at how many people in need have been reached out to with loving hands and the truth of the Word of God. Real answers for life’s troubles and distresses are found in the Bible, the source of all truth. These answers need to be delivered with love and kindness to those who are looking and in despair. We are committed to do this work; Ceaseless Love grows as the Lord leads many to us day after day.
It is our delight to report that several marriages are in different stages of the healing process. This is especially significant because as each marriage becomes what Christ intended it to be, the family is transformed and the churches and our nation are strengthened. Each couple who surrenders to Christ and to His design for marriage is a bright light shining in a world filled with the darkness of broken relationships and the grief which ensues. Let us dedicate ourselves to the strengthening of our marriages by speaking the truth of God’s Word to each other which edifies.
Dan ministers in several men’s studies each week and has assisted at the Westminster Chapel with some of the teaching for the men’s studies during the past two months. He will continue to help as needed there and finds great joy in coming along side individuals seeking to know a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. There are many who have expressed such a desire and this is evidenced by Dan’s regular discipleship of forty-three men. This number continually grows. Thanks be to God for the work of His Holy Spirit in the hearts of the believers here.
Hospital visitation continues as the need arises and we are pleased to include a beautiful testimony of God’s grace in the life of our sister in Christ, Cindy Ortiz. She has written to tell you how God was powerfully present with her during her recent by-pass surgery. We were privileged to walk with her through this experience and were blessed by her strong faith. Please take a moment to read her story and praise God for His loving care. Our need for provision increases as the ministry grows, and we are very thankful for your financial support. May God bless each of you as you pray and support His work in the Pacific Northwest.
Dan & Marie Thomson
Ceaseless Love Ministries
August 17, 2010
Dear Dan and Marie,
I am trying to put on paper my feelings of gratitude and thankfulness I have for you and your ministry during my medical crisis. The words that come to mind are just not full enough or powerful enough to express all that you have done for me.
I was very blessed to have great family support and the loving kindness of a wonderful church body. With that said, as a mother who is dealing with a health crisis, you still are thinking of your children and the family members. They are worried, exhausted and trying to meet the needs of all family and friends and then to have around the clock schedules to keep an eye on me through the hours in the hospital. That is something that ways heavy on the mind of any parent as you try and focus your strength on getting better while having their concern in the back of your mind.
Having wonderful church friends come with support and well wishes is very encouraging but even then you try hard to speak with them and let them know all is going well. Through all of this, Ceaseless Love played a very important role in my walk through this crisis.
Pastor Matt told me that you were in the waiting room with my son and family. I knew you from church and heard a little about your ministry. I was thankful that someone would be by my son’s side, as I knew this was going to be difficult for him. He had almost lost his mother and had no idea what the outcome was going to be. You prayed with him and encouraged him. You stayed for hours to give support.
Then you had a chance to see me. I can’t explain the peace and comfort you brought as you held my hand, prayed with me, explained what was happening and sat and read scripture to me. You asked my concerns and I told you I was really a baby and afraid of pain. You prayed that God would heal and grant no pain. You then put together specific scriptures that seemed to deal with everything I was thinking. Those two pieces of paper became very important to me. Heather read them to me over and over the nights before the surgery.
When you would come to visit, the gentleness of your voice and the assuredness of your words as to what God said about himself in scripture and whom God says He is… provided a solid anchor to hold on too during this rough storm.
You came everyday to the hospital before the surgery, stayed with my family during the hours of surgery and came everyday afterward until I was released. You even made a house call to see how I was doing.
I believe God has equipped you and Marie with many gifts to be so effective in this ministry. Your mannerisms are very calm; you have a gentle and quiet spirit. When you are speaking it is like being able to take a deep breath and release in a sense of peace. You are extremely knowledgeable in Gods word but also in explaining in layman’s terms what is happening medically.
I trusted you. I knew you had my best interest at heart. You were ministering to me spiritually that physical and emotional healing would follow. I knew that if a deeper crisis where to happen to me during the surgery that you would be the strength for my family and advise them well.
I will forever be in the debt of you and Marie for your love, support and willingness to serve in this ministry that God so graciously is blessing. You both even went above and beyond by driving me to my first Doctor’s appointment and being by my side as the Doctor explained everything.
May God bless Ceaseless Love a hundred fold.
Cindy Ortiz
20 days after triple by pass surgery and feeling great.