Last Update from the States!

March 23, 2015

I am thrilled to announce that things are on track and almost ready for my departure date. A year ago today I sent out my very first prayer letter announcing my internship. Today I am writing you for the last time on American soil until next year.  I fly out of Columbus Tuesday, April 14, at 12:18pm to Dallas. From there I will spend a few days with my brother and his family and then April 23^rd, at 3:40pm and I will begin my journey to Kiribati. 

God has done a great work in my heart this week through the Missions Conference at Loudonville Baptist Temple. The Lord re-established in my heart the purpose of missions and this internship. This purpose can be summed up one verse, “That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art most high over all the earth.”  Our purpose on earth is to bring glory to God.  If this is true then those of us who know that and have His word MUST make it known among those who do not.  I am humbled that God would chose someone like me to be a part of making Himself known to other parts of the world. 

Previously I mentioned that I was in contact with a doctor who would be able to monitor my heart while I am overseas. I am very excited to share with you a new ministry he is starting and how I am able to be a part of it. God has burdened Dr. Bruce Martin to use Telemedicine to help meet the medical needs of missionaries around the world.  Recently he has purchased some equipment in which uses telecommunication and digital medical equipment in order to provide health care from a distance.  Sunday evening Dr. Martin presented this digital Stethoscope to me.

This is what I will use to do monthly heart checks with him, as well as help out with medical issues that may arise while I’m on the field.  I firmly believe that God can use this for His glory! Throughout Christ’s earthly ministry, He quite often met physical needs, which opened the door for Him to meet spiritual needs. If Christ did this, so can we.  My prayer is that we will be able to reach some physical needs, which will in turn allow us to show the people how Christ can meet their spiritual needs. 

Thank you for all of your continued prayers for my health as well as my support. I completed my cardiac rehab last week! With the budget changes we had to make, I am at 96% of my $15,600 budget. These changes involved new tax in Kiribati, evacuation insurance, and travel costs.  Thank you so much for partnering with me to reach the I-Kiribati people. I am so thankful for your faithfulness to support me even through the difficult times. I believe we have found two cellphone apps that will aid in communication with the states while I am gone. If you are interested, these two apps are VSee and WhatsApp.  Both apps are free. VSee is a video conferencing app that runs on low bandwidth that should allow good communication on the island.  WhatsApp is a texting app that runs strictly off of wifi.  If you have any questions or thoughts please feel free to contact me at any time (724)504-1174. The next time you hear from me it will be from Kiribati! 

Preparing to serve Him on the Equator

Candace Cook

Latest updates from the heart!

Below you will find the link labeled "February Prayer Letter" this will direct you to my latest prayer letter!
Thank you for your continued prayers and support!
Candace

February Prayer Letter

Apologies and Updates

I must start off by apologizing for my lack of communication recently. I have no real excuse, I was simply waiting on a time that I would have more information to give. I had this great plan to wait until I had all the new information concerning my new leave date etc. before posting again. I must apologize for the long wait and the fact that I still do not have all of that information. However I do have some things to update you on and I am excited about them!

Concerning my Health:
God has been faithful (as He always is) with the matter of my health. Yes I indeed had a rocky road of recovery but since my wire removal surgery things have been getting better every day! I am growing stronger physically as I go through cardiac rehab. It is a bear to go through, but all the while I am struggling and often wishing I did not have to do it I am reminded to be thankful that I have the ability to do it. You see its been 7 months since I was told I would not live another year. 6 months ago I could see my health began to drastically deteriorate. 5 months ago the Lord allowed me to have a series of surgeries to correct the problems that would soon take my life. And when I am reminded of how God brought me through that it makes it so much easier to go through therapy. February 4th I will go to Cincinnati for my 6 month post surgery check up. I am very confident that it will go well but I do ask that you pray for the upcoming appointment.

Concerning my Internship:
Things are beginning to fall back into place for the internship. I do not have all of the information as to some of the changes but I will share with you what I have. My official leave date is April 23rd, at that time I will fly out of Dallas, TX to begin my journey to Kiribati. We are working on securing a flight in order for me to get to Dallas and when I have one I will share that with you as well. There have been many changes concerning the financial end of my internship. I do not have all of the information concerning the changes but here is what I do have. Due to my existing health problem I am now in need of securing Emergency Evacuation Insurance. This is not something to be alarmed about it is merely a precaution that I must now take. The second big change is that of a tax change in Kiribati. I do not have all of the information as to how this will change my cost of living and such as of now but it will most certainly change my support levels.

As these things begin to come to light and I have more concrete information I will share them with you. Prior to this I was near 95% of my needed support. I do not know where I will stand after these new things come to light but I know I will be in need of more support. I know that God will provide these things as He promises in His word to provide for our needs, however I ask that you pray with me concerning these new financial needs. Pray that God will open doors for new supporters.

In Romans 10 Paul speaks of his hearts desire to see should come to Christ. Now more than ever my hearts desire is to see the I-Kiribati people come to know Him. God is using the Daku and Snyder families in a great way to reach those people and I am so honored that He chose me to have the opportunity to join them in His mission.

There are two areas where you can support me right now in reaching the I-Kiribati people. Firstly, would you consider supporting me financially on a monthly basis for ten months or with a one-time financial gift. Secondly, I need prayer partners who will intercede both while I raise support and am in Kiribati. Thank you for your support in these two areas. 

If you choose to support me financially please make all checks out to First Baptist Church and put Candace Cook in the memo/for line as well as whether this is a one-time gift or a monthly basis.
Please send this page with your support check to:

First Baptist Church
1367 Woodville Pike
Milford, OH 45150

Thank you so much for all of the love and support you have shown me.
Preparing to serve Him on the Equator, 
Candace