Tom and Linda MaherNewsletter (Fall 2022)
Dear Friends and Family,
Happy Fall! I do enjoy this time of year as it holds wonderful childhood memories. I have to admit that I do miss the beautiful colors of the fall leaves found in the north, but do not miss the cooler weather that goes with them. I am enjoying the things I associate with fall, weekly Penn State football games and apple cider, and Tom is loving the pumpkin spice lattes.
SUMMER
Boot Camp training went well this summer. We had 10 teams with a total of 200. participants. Tom served as “Mr. OC”, the guy who started the morning Obstacle Course, worked in video, computers and wherever else was needed. Along with the responsibilities of the Finance Department, I taught several classes, was the runner for the kitchen (which meant I went to town for any needed supplies), and helped with counseling. I really enjoyed teaching and interacting with the teens, what a privilege! Again this summer, we were part of the home office staff. We were a small group, but so unified that the summer just flew by. Tom calculated that he did 17 bus runs and he also spent two days at a water park because he was the driver for sightseeing day. I did my usual office responsibilities until the Debriefs started, then I became the cook. It was long hours, but such a blessing. Two young ladies here on staff, Sydney and Sarah, helped and they were so much fun. Sydney kept us all laughing with her puns and jokes and Sarah oversaw the clean up with an alternating team. Thank you ladies—I could not have done it without you!!! The highlight of the Debriefs for me was to sit and listen to each team as they shared their summer experiences. Such a joy to see the changed lives and hear how they faithfully shared the Gospel.
In June my mother, Eleanor, fell on her front porch and broke her hip in four places. One of the fragments cut her femoral artery and she had to have 12 units of blood. Following the hospital stay, she went to a rehab facility. Mom just got home September 30th. It was a long recovery process and she is still not back to where she was prior to the fall; however, she has come such a long way. We would covet your prayers for her.
NOW NOW
Tom is excited to have three new people to train in his department. Judah is a new staff member and will be with him all day, and Jess is a student who will be in the department in the afternoons. He is also cross-training one of my department interns, Caleb, because he showed an aptitude for computer software and website development. His hands are full, however, he considers it such a joy to work with these young people.
As always my plate is full with Finance Department responsibilities and the various other hats I wear. I am teaching this term which I love doing. We have six new students and they are such a joy to me.
We have two scheduled trips this fall. We are traveling to Pennsylvania from October 15-24th. I am really looking forward to being with my mama! I was unable to go north during her hospital and rehab stays and I just can’t wait to hug her! We are also scheduled for a trip to Cameroon, Africa, November 4- 17th. We have not been to Cameroon since 2018. We are looking forward to encouraging our national staff and helping them plan for the future. We appreciate and covet your prayers for both of these trips.
THE OFFSPRING
Tom and his family are doing well in Michigan. Elsie hit a milestone on September 16th when she turned 10. YES, we now have grandchildren in the double digits. It seems like yesterday we got the news that she had arrived and we were grandparents for the first time. Zach, Alyssa and baby Elinor are doing well. Link started first grade this year and Aurora kindergarten. They love school. Daisy loves her one-on-one time with mommy each day and Ollie is just all over the place. He is such an active two year old. Kalah spends all day with 22 six year olds. I do not know how she does it, but we are so glad she loves teaching.
We did have Hurricane Ian sweep through our state recently. Praise the Lord the TMI property did well, just lots of water and branches down. All our Florida children and their homes were fine. Daniel, as a pool tech and cleaner, said many pools were a mess and he has been working hard to help with the cleanup. Zachary was hit the hardest of us all because he lives where the outer bands hit. He had seven trees go down (thankfully none on the house) and he was without power for several days. He was so thankful for the generator. We are grateful for God’s goodness to us and our prayers are with those who had devastating losses in this storm.
THANK YOU
Thank you so very much to all of our faithful prayer partners and supporters! Your prayers and finances enable us to serve the God we love. Because of our partnership, lives are being changed, people are coming to Christ and seeds are being planted!! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
PRAISES
1. Praise the Lord for the changed lives this past summer and at all of TMIs bases around the world.
2. Praise the Lord for His protection during the storms.
3. Praise the Lord for our incredible support team.
PRAYER REQUESTS
1. Pray for our upcoming trips. For safety, good health and God’s leading.
2. Pray for my mother’s complete healing.
3. Pray for wisdom in our staff responsibilities.
4. Pray that each of our children would walk in obedience to the Lord.
In Christ
Tom and Linda
Phil. 4:13
