James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.

As many of you know, this last year has been a crash course of patient endurance for Robert, Jody and Randy Frye. But just as this verse states, we should consider ourselves blessed to endure these trials. It is by this that we know we are the sons of God, for He loves us and carries us during these times (as always) showing His mighty providential hand in our lives.

First, we would like to update you on a quick review of those trails and difficulties, but it is not our desire to focus on this, just inform and move forward. Over the last year, Randy began having health issues beginning with an ingrown toenail in November 2015. After toenail removal, adverse reactions to pain medications and follow up doctor visits, a referral to Riley was made for suspicion of deeper problems. In December of 2015, Robert fell over 12 feet, sustained a serious concussion, and sprained back and ankle. It was truly miraculous that more damage had not been done. It completely baffled doctors. After unexpected results from several medical tests, Randy was hospitalized in January where they discovered a spinal restriction endangering his life and proceeded with emergency surgery. After his release, he became very ill and hospitalized once again where they found a 1 cm large kidney stone, just a week after neurosurgery. Due to complications and intolerance, surgery to remove the stone was necessary to save Randy’s life once again. This was in February, just 3 weeks after the first surgery. He developed further complications after the surgery and required yet another emergency surgery in March once again to prevent sepsis. Two more surgeries occurred in May and later in July for breathing issues and then complications. In May and later in July, Randy endured yet 2 more surgeries for breathing and then complications from that original surgery, which ended up being an emergency surgery once again, to save his life. The Lord has been gracious and walked us through these difficult times as we have surrendered our will to His and given Randy daily to Him. Currently, Randy is still suffering from unknown nausea, heaves, weight loss, and abnormal bloodwork. Although many assumptions have been made by many different doctors, the only substantial information is that Randy is the only one in the world that they know of with his genetic disorder which may or may not be the cause of his continued fatigue, nausea, and heaving. We have been told by doctors that he was severely malnourished and likely won’t live past 30, only to find that his nutritional levels tested normal. Miracles have continued during this time, with doctors finding nodules on Randy’s thyroid, ordering biopsies, and then not being able to find them at all. We credit this to our Heavenly Father. After this we have had doctors tell us these problems could be a result of aging and to expect things to get worse, but we don’t see any interventions suggested to help him now. The rollercoaster of emotions the three of us experience go from wanting to believe that he is okay, to seeing once again that he isn’t, to searching and researching with doctors to try to find the source of the issue, ending in surrender once again knowing that God will continue to lead us as He sees fit. Randy still has some dental issues, (root canals) we are trying to resolve, but cannot find specialists willing to treat him with his rare condition. We ask for your prayers as we continue to seek the Lord’s wisdom and move forward as the Lord allows.

As Philippians 3:13 b-14 states, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” This can be a difficult balance to forget the past, and yet remember enough to learn from it. Now we would like to transition to what has been going on with the ministry in Romania during all of this.

Through this time, the Lord blessed by allowing us to accomplish many things we came to do, and things we didn’t know we were going to do.

During all these things, we continued ministering as we were able, Robert spent 6 weeks in Romania from May to June, with two young men, Michael LaRose and Nolan Baker. His purpose was to open the camp and get it up and running for the girls’ camp that Jody, along with Will LaRose, Marianne LaRose, and Rachel Rossman would run in July. While he was there, he not only reconnected and reported to the village and city church, but also replaced the fence in the front of the camp property and installed a camera surveillance system for camp safety. Due to travel delays, Robert arrived back in Indiana the day before Jody left for Romania in July. Jody accompanied by the LaRose and Rossman team, accomplished the girls’ camp with the campers from Ghijasa de Jos, and hosted a teen camp of 30 for a sister church. It was a whirlwind of a month, but allowed for individual discipleship to the girls that remained in Ghijasa, and to Dia and Cristina, the two girls that are attending the Baptist High school from the villages.

Jody returned on August 4^th, and her father was admitted to the emergency room for complications breathing due to pulmonary fibrosis. He entered the presence of our Lord on August 5, Robert and Jody’s anniversary, after many difficult decisions by the family.

Through these storms, we are confident that God is sovereign, and His purpose is being fulfilled in ways that we cannot see. His graciousness is overwhelming and His presence has always been very clear to us. He has prepared us every step of the way. We knew the storm was coming, and know also that it isn’t over, yet in the midst of all the waves of fear, doubt, confusion, and exhaustion, there remains an unexplainable peace, that only comes from our lives in His hands

Because we believe that we are to be busy where the Lord plants us for whatever length of time, in September, we started working with Cates Community Church pastor and youth on a Christmas program. It is the same play that we have performed in Romania. The purpose was to spread the gospel through the literal Biblical account of Jesus’ birth, as well as, allow the churches to see one of the things that we do in Romania. It was an honor and privilege to be used by the Lord in this way, and get to know these precious young souls. The cast was over 15, including some of the adults of the church. The performance was complete with sets, costumes, props, music, narration, and lights. It was refreshing for us to concentrate on the Biblical story line with the youth, while the adults of the church made the costumes, sets, and organized all the props. The play was performed at a community center in Veedersburg and at the Cates church, as well as, our sending church, East Side Baptist in Crawfordsville, Indiana. The pastors at each location provided a Gospel message and invitation.

We continue to counsel, financially support, and provide for the Dia and Cristina during our time here in the States, as well as, sustaining the monthly expenses of the camp and property in Romania.

It is our desire to thank you all for you continued prayer and financial support during these troublesome and difficult times. In the midst, we can have joy over the smallest victories. Our expenses have increased this year with the necessity of supporting physical residencies in two different countries and increased travel expenses, but many of you have given to those specific needs, and we are truly appreciative in Christ.

Currently plans are for Robert to return in February, Lord willing, to Romania, and Jody and Randy to follow in March. Randy has a few more medical tests in the next month to try to rule out any life-threatening issues before our return. We will proceed with these plans until the Lord directs otherwise.

Please continue to pray for the children of Ghijasa, the youth of Nocrich, wisdom for decisions, Randy’s health, and the churches in Cisnadie and Nocrich.