Greetings Everyone,
We have made it to the end of another year and looking back on this past year of 2014 it was certainly unlike anything we have ever experienced. At the beginning back in February our lives were shaken as Celeste had been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer that was spreading to her lungs. Then we began the long difficult path of cancer treatment with its side affects which involved chemo and immunotherapy every three weeks. But thank God her treatment was very successful as they were able to apply some of today's most advanced immunotherapy treatment available! The tumors completely disintegrated from the treatment and she did not have to have any surgery! Wow!
So now having ended 2014 with Celeste's cancer fully in remission and she is now almost totally recovered from the side affects from the chemo therapy! And looking back we can clearly see the hand of God upon our lives in this situation as He has sustained us and has provided for our every need! Wow!!
"The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut 33:27)!
It is just amazing how God has been there for us on all sides. We had wonderful support from the local churches and missionary community. And then also our own church family and U.S. Service members who were there to support us. People did things such as prepare meals for us, do house cleaning and laundry, and take care of Isabella when needed. And of course our precious daughter was such a blessing as she brought cheer and sweetness into our lives in dark times. And then we have had our State side supporting churches who have covered us in their prayers and with financial support. Also, while serving on the council of ministers for the Kosovo Evangelical Alliance I have had a great group of brothers (fellow council members) who have been there supporting us and praying for us. And then we had St Luke's hospital in Thessaloniki with a wonderful team of physicians and medical professionals that provided outstanding care! I can just keep going on here! Wow!
And what's also amazing is that all of this happened without having to step aside from our work and ministry at Calvary Chapel Prishtina. Celeste of course did have to pull back a bit from involvement but not entirely (the ladies in her MOPS group were able to carry on when she wasn't able to be there). And there were those times when I needed to be there to help Celeste. We were certainly open to all options and considered them, such as returning to the US, which would have been fine but we sensed that it wasn't what the Lord intended for us. However we do plan to do a needed furlough to the US later in 2015.
I think of that great passage in Ephesians 3:20-21
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen". And so we can certainly testify to this truth in our own lives and experience.
Again we are so grateful for the outpouring of support and prayers this past year. Presently Celeste continues her immunotherapy which she receives every three weeks. This needs to continue to keep her type of cancer which is incurable in remission. And of course we are trusting God to continue carrying us down this path which we know He will. Please do pray that her treatment will continue to be affective and of course for a healing miracle too. Pray also for our visit to the US later this year, and for Gods provision.
Please pray for the funds for Celeste's treatment that she needs every three weeks. In March we need to renew our insurance which means that before we receive reimbursement for her treatments we will first have to meet the $2500.00 deductible. We also have our additional travel expenses every three weeks which our insurance does not cover.
Pray also for Gods blessing upon the ministry at Calvary Chapel Prishtina. Pray also for Gods blessing upon the ministry to the U.S. Service Members deployed here in Kosovo. We have things that are in the planning stage for ministry which involves some teams coming this year. Pray for God's hand to lead us in all our outreach and ministry endeavors this year.
Again, thank you all for your prayers and support, and God bless you as you begin a new year serving Him.
By His Grace,
Mark, Celeste, and Isabella
Financial support can be donated online at this link: https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH
Or a check can be made payable to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa with a note attached indicating; "Missionary Account : Mark & Celeste Yocom". Then it may be sent to the following address:
Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
Attn: Accounting.
3800 S. Fairview Rd.
Santa Ana , CA 92704
Or to make a tax-deductible contributuon to the Yocoms’ ministry in Kosovo, mail a check to:
Global Adventures - Yocoms • 4001 Osuna Rd. NE • Albuquerque, NM 87109
We have made it to the end of another year and looking back on this past year of 2014 it was certainly unlike anything we have ever experienced. At the beginning back in February our lives were shaken as Celeste had been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer that was spreading to her lungs. Then we began the long difficult path of cancer treatment with its side affects which involved chemo and immunotherapy every three weeks. But thank God her treatment was very successful as they were able to apply some of today's most advanced immunotherapy treatment available! The tumors completely disintegrated from the treatment and she did not have to have any surgery! Wow!
So now having ended 2014 with Celeste's cancer fully in remission and she is now almost totally recovered from the side affects from the chemo therapy! And looking back we can clearly see the hand of God upon our lives in this situation as He has sustained us and has provided for our every need! Wow!!
"The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut 33:27)!
It is just amazing how God has been there for us on all sides. We had wonderful support from the local churches and missionary community. And then also our own church family and U.S. Service members who were there to support us. People did things such as prepare meals for us, do house cleaning and laundry, and take care of Isabella when needed. And of course our precious daughter was such a blessing as she brought cheer and sweetness into our lives in dark times. And then we have had our State side supporting churches who have covered us in their prayers and with financial support. Also, while serving on the council of ministers for the Kosovo Evangelical Alliance I have had a great group of brothers (fellow council members) who have been there supporting us and praying for us. And then we had St Luke's hospital in Thessaloniki with a wonderful team of physicians and medical professionals that provided outstanding care! I can just keep going on here! Wow!
And what's also amazing is that all of this happened without having to step aside from our work and ministry at Calvary Chapel Prishtina. Celeste of course did have to pull back a bit from involvement but not entirely (the ladies in her MOPS group were able to carry on when she wasn't able to be there). And there were those times when I needed to be there to help Celeste. We were certainly open to all options and considered them, such as returning to the US, which would have been fine but we sensed that it wasn't what the Lord intended for us. However we do plan to do a needed furlough to the US later in 2015.
I think of that great passage in Ephesians 3:20-21
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen". And so we can certainly testify to this truth in our own lives and experience.
Again we are so grateful for the outpouring of support and prayers this past year. Presently Celeste continues her immunotherapy which she receives every three weeks. This needs to continue to keep her type of cancer which is incurable in remission. And of course we are trusting God to continue carrying us down this path which we know He will. Please do pray that her treatment will continue to be affective and of course for a healing miracle too. Pray also for our visit to the US later this year, and for Gods provision.
Please pray for the funds for Celeste's treatment that she needs every three weeks. In March we need to renew our insurance which means that before we receive reimbursement for her treatments we will first have to meet the $2500.00 deductible. We also have our additional travel expenses every three weeks which our insurance does not cover.
Pray also for Gods blessing upon the ministry at Calvary Chapel Prishtina. Pray also for Gods blessing upon the ministry to the U.S. Service Members deployed here in Kosovo. We have things that are in the planning stage for ministry which involves some teams coming this year. Pray for God's hand to lead us in all our outreach and ministry endeavors this year.
Again, thank you all for your prayers and support, and God bless you as you begin a new year serving Him.
By His Grace,
Mark, Celeste, and Isabella
Financial support can be donated online at this link: https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH
Or a check can be made payable to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa with a note attached indicating; "Missionary Account : Mark & Celeste Yocom". Then it may be sent to the following address:
Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
Attn: Accounting.
3800 S. Fairview Rd.
Santa Ana , CA 92704
Or to make a tax-deductible contributuon to the Yocoms’ ministry in Kosovo, mail a check to:
Global Adventures - Yocoms • 4001 Osuna Rd. NE • Albuquerque, NM 87109
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