Tom & Linda Maher Newsletter (Winter 2026)

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year!  We pray that this coming year will be blessed.  Our 2025 Word of the Year was HOPE.  God gave us many opportunities to look to Him as our anchor and support.  We faced quite a few challenges. We realize that even during circumstances that break your heart, God is good, and we can hang on to Him. Our Word of the Year for 2026 is SHEPHERD.  We are using Psalm 23 as our anchor in God’s Word.  God is our Shepherd, and because of that, we lack nothing!  He is our provider, peace, hope, guide, deliverer, protector, and the source of endless blessings.  He is also our hope for an eternal future in His presence.  We pray that you, too, would experience the joy of a meaningful relationship with the Shepherd this year.  

NOVEMBER

During the winter months of November-February, Teen Missions facilitates 17 overseas Boot Camps with over 1500 participants.  We are so grateful to be part of a worldwide organization proclaiming the Gospel in so many areas.  We hit a wonderful milestone in November in celebrating our 45th Wedding Anniversary on the 22nd.  We had just arrived in Alabama to spend a week with family, and Zachary and Alyssa prepared our favorite meal, which was such a blessing.  My heart was so full as we celebrated Thanksgiving with Zachary, Alyssa, the girls, Tom, Deena, and their children and Kalah.  A rare blessing to have three of our four children together and five of the nine grandchildren.  We really enjoyed our time—good food, lots of laughter, hugs, snuggles, and great conversations—what beautiful memories.  

DECEMBER

We had a two-week break from normal office responsibilities that was restful and full. We both had to do a few things in the office, but not on a regular schedule.   We spend quite a bit of time with our four grandchildren who live nearby.  They really love spending time with us on this property, riding bikes, playing on the swings, taking walks along the lake and playing board games.  We had Kalah and Daniel for Christmas Day and then celebrated with the grandkids later in the week.  

THE OFFSPRING

Tom, Deena, Jude and Elsie are doing well in MI.  Tom had the opportunity to travel to Nepal and India to film testimonies that highlight the ongoing ministries the church supports.  Deena had a successful volleyball season and the kids are enjoying school.  Kalah has a full schedule with teaching and taking classes for her master’s degree.  We do have some “girl time moments “ along the way that encourage us both.  Zachary, Alyssa, Elinor, Tigs, and Merry Joy are doing well in Alabama.  We just found out that a new little girl (yep,Zachary is gonna be a girl dad) will join the family in late May or early June.  That makes grandchild #10.  Daniel is working, and we enjoy our time with the kids.  Link, Aurora, Daisy, and Oliver love the time they get to spend at Nana and Papa’s, and we treasure the moments with any of the grandchildren.  

NOW NOW

We both have full plates.  Tom is busy in IT/Graphics.  He concentrates more on the computer programming side of things.  He tells me he never runs out of something to rewrite or correct.  I share my time between managing the Finance Department, teaching in our Bible school and writing class materials.  We appreciate your continued prayers for wisdom, excellence, and perseverance in all we do.  In the Finance Office, we are in audit season, so we covet your prayers during the next few months. We are at a point where we need to replace our 2008 vehicle.  Please join us in prayer as we look for a vehicle that will meet our needs (we transport grandchildren, so we are looking for something with at least seven seats) and that we can afford. 

THANKFUL

We are so thankful for our faithful partners who pray and give so that we can serve here with Teen Missions.  Thank you never seems enough.  We are so grateful you partner with us!  We are blessed!  Please let us know if we can pray for you.  

PRAISES

• Praise the Lord for all the lives impacted by our Overseas Boot Camps.

• Praise the Lord for times with children and grandchildren.

• Praise the Lord for a place to serve.

PRAYER REQUESTS

• Wisdom in our responsibilities here in the office.

• The safe and healthy arrival of grandchild #10.

• The provision of a new-to-us used vehicle. 

• That we will fully rely on the Shepherd in all we do.  

Because HE Lives,

Tom and Linda Maher 

Phil. 4:13, 3: 8-10