May 5, 2005

Dear Family and Friends:

Terry and Muriel HendersonHappy Cinco de Mayo!   For those of you who celebrate this Mexican holiday, we hope you have enjoyed some good Mexican food today or will during the course of this weekend.

In Mexico, nowhere is the Cinco de Mayo celebrated as passionately as in the city of Puebla, where the battle of the Fifth of May was fought almost a century and a half ago. That day an army of nearly 7,000 soldiers, sent by Napoleon III, the emperor of France, was defeated by 4,500 combatants, mostly Indian Zacapoaxtlas and Zapotecos and the soldiers of general, Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin who were holding the two forts. In a four hour battle Napoleon’s army was defeated.

The victory of Mexico’s people against an invading foreign army was so significant that Mexico's President, Benito Juárez, declared May 5 a national holiday just four days after the battle. And to this day, Cinco de Mayo is a special holiday.

Speaking of battles, we continue to battle cancer here on the home front. But we are not alone in this battle! We are so very fortunate to have a large circle of family and friends who have surrounded us with their love as we deal with this health issue. We are sharing the following as so many of you have asked about Muriel’s surgery date and specifics so you can pray accordingly.

Muriel's surgeon, Dr. Richard Perry, said we have gone as far as technology will take us.  So with the information we have from all the various tests the decision is to schedule a bilateral mastectomy, as that will give Muriel the best chance for a cancer free future.  Even with the emotional pain this decision brings we choose life.  At noon on Wednesday, May 11th, Muriel will undergo surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.

We are so grateful for all those who have lifted us in prayer, sent cards and e-mail messages and called. Having a caring Christian community of faith surrounding us makes all the difference in the world.  It helps us to view this experience of uncertainty, regarding our future as it relates to our health and ministry, not so much as a painful ordeal but as a faith venture where we must totally rely on God and God's care and guidance for our future.

Muriel will be convalescing at her sister's home, Robin Gavin, 1202 W. Vista Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85021.   We also can be reached at our cell phone: 928.242.0019.  By the end of next week we hope to have a Health Update link included on our website, www.gytte.org where you can visit and learn of Muriel’s progress.

Once again we ask that you keep the staff of the “Give Ye Them To Eat” program in your prayers as they continue with that vital ministry in Puebla and at the Tree of Life Training Center in Tlancualpican.  We have total confidence in their leadership and as God leads them they will be empowered by your prayers.

Your mission partners,

Terry and Muriel Henderson.