Download a printable version of the January-February 2024 Beans'talk.

Adeline Eden

How does a newborn have a most perfect head? Well, in our newest granddaughter’s case, on January 15th she was lifted out by C-section rather than take the squishy route most babies take. Adeline Eden is our daughter Emily’s third child; our twelfth grandchild.

We were hoping to have more news about Adeline before sending out a letter. The most recent ultra-sound (while still in utero) seemed to show that one kidney was dying and the other might need some surgical intervention. Next week the specialists will begin to assess both of Adeline’s kidneys. So, you’ll just have to wait with us as we continue to pray and see what happens.

Big news: peed diapers!

In light of what the medical team thought they saw before Adeline was born, it’s good news that this little girl is peeing. Who thought there’d be such excitement over a wet diaper? And she’s had several wet diapers! Yeah! Something must be working.

Holding down the fort

Our main job has been caring for Adeline’s two big brothers, Than and Elijah. Here they are “meeting” their new little sister. She may be coming home Friday. This family lives in Australia, so we are in the midst of summer.

We both made it

Mark almost didn’t make it to Australia. In December he had a spontaneous pneumothorax (deflated lung). It took us a couple days to make it to the ER to find out what was going on. Less than a week before take-off, Mark also came down with a cold and the doctor wanted to be sure that it didn’t turn into pneumonia. A last-minute x-ray helped the doctor give a thumbs up for Mark to travel. Thank you, God!

More travels coming up

Mark will head home after a couple of weeks, while Patti plans to stay until the other grandma arrives on the first of February.

Then, it’s off again, this time to Peru. February 4-7 we’ve been encouraged to be at the first in-person retreat of Wycliffe related people working in Peru since before the pandemic. We look forward to meeting new and younger colleagues. Pray particularly for health and re-adjusting to our time zones since Patti will have a very tight turn-around from Australia to Peru.

Immediately after the meetings, Patti heads to a part of the jungle she’s never been to before. She’s to make an administrative visit to Yanesha-speaking communities to check on a new member who’s just beginning to work there.

Pray for Mark as he continues to check the book of Numbers for one team. Pray for him, too, as he works with the software developer to write rules for adapting Scripture between related Quechua languages with the new program.

Praise and Prayer Requests

• Praise for Adeline’s arrival and a medical team aware of her situation. Pray for healing for both Emily and baby in the coming weeks and continued good health for Mark.

• Praise for continued progress towards health and healing for our grandson Jeremiah. Continue to pray for more of the same.

• Praise for the opportunity to meet in person with some of our colleagues in Peru. Pray that we might be an encouragement to them.

• Praise God for meaningful work to do. Pray for attention to detail as Mark checks Scripture.

We are so thankful for you! We hope that you are looking forward to whatever God has for each of you this new year.

Mark & Patti