As most of you have heard by now, Pastor Jean Luc Phanord died in the American Airlines crash on November 12, 2001 in Queens, New York. A memorial service was held here in La Romana on Saturday November 24 with hundreds, if not thousands, of friends and family in attendance. To say the least, the last few weeks here have been stressful and sad, full of tears and questions that seem to have no answers. The family of Jean Luc has maintained a hope, though, that despite the tragedy, God has a plan in all of this and that Jean Luc was prepared to die. Everyone has spoken of the content of his final sermons on Sunday November 11; that despite turmoil and confusion around us we can have an inner security with Christ. How ironic that he would be a living witness to his own message a day later. It has been a comfort to the family, though, that Jean Luc is with God now and that he touched so many people in his years of ministry.

Everyone here is sharing stories of how Jean Luc had a part in their lives and how he ministered to them in one way or another. The church has united and decided to make all future decisions as a whole instead of one or two people making the decisions for the future ministry. There is a leadership committee that is meeting several times a week to discuss the direction of many of Jean Luc's projects, including the retreat center, the school in Batey 35 and the pastoral work on the Bateyes. It is encouraging to see so many people working together to find a common direction.

Pastor Marc, Jean Luc's assistant pastor, has been a great help in keeping the unity of the church and stressing the importance of making decisions together. I am impressed by his ability to unite the church in a time when many churches would break apart.

Jean Luc’s wife, Elsa, is doing well and has been able to accept what has happened mostly because she is confident that Jean Luc is with Jesus now. American Airlines has been incredibly supportive and there is an assigned representative with the family that is able to help with all of the details. Their generosity has been a relief in these matters.

I have had several groups write and ask about the future of the Batey work and especially if they should still come this next year. Please, please do not postpone your trips to La Romana in 2002. The people who live on the Bateyes are still in desperate need of medical care and the work of the hospital must still carry on. All who know Jean Luc would agree that he would not want the work to stop in his absence. There is still so much to do and your presence here would be an indication of the support that is being offered to the Maranatha Church during this tragedy.

I would like to thank everyone who has written and offered their condolences and support. Yes, I am very tired and exhausted from all of the emotion surrounding the last few weeks but am confident that God's work will continue here. I would ask for your prayers for the church that it continues to be united and also that the family would find the comfort that they need in this time.

For myself, please pray that I am open to any new directions in my ministry as well as for my strength in the upcoming months. Many know that I broke my tailbone in June but I have been doing well with that, although I still have my moments of pain. I have many exciting and challenging projects for the future and hope to expand the medical work on the Bateyes in this next year. Please continue to pray for the people of the Bateyes that they see Christ in this work and that I can minister not only to the physical needs but also the spiritual.