September 7, 2008
Dear Friends:
Thank you all for praying so urgently for my mom (Mavis Miller). God in His infinite wisdom has chosen to take mom into His arms, and we can only say “His mercies endures forever”. Her home-going was very peaceful and beautiful, and for that we are eternally grateful to our God. Once again, thank you for your prayers and we ask you to continue to pray for our family as we will miss her dearly.
MILLER, MAVIS (nee Broderick)Mrs. Miller slipped away peacefully at Brampton Civic Hospital on September 6, 2008 at the age of 73.
Her life is celebrated by her four children: Keith, Yvonne, Marie, Rosalyn and six grandchildren: Nicole, Christal, Brandon, Kanieka, Christopher, and Alexander. She will be missed by her extended family, a host of adopted children, and many friends.
Family and friends will be received at the Scott Funeral Home, “Brampton Chapel,” 289 Main St. N., Brampton, ON L6X 1N5 (905-451-1100) on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m.
The Funeral Service will be held at Islington Evangel Centre, 49 Queens Plate Drive, Etobicoke, ON M9W 6P1 on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 11 a.m. Visitation is at 10 a.m. Interment at Brampton Memorial Gardens.
Flowers gratefully accepted or memorial donations made to the Canadian Diabetes Association would be appreciated by the family. You are invited to sign Mrs. Miller’s Book of Condolences at http://www.scott-brampton.ca/
“Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace” (Psalm 37:37)
September 4, 2008
Again, thank you for your continuous prayers for my mom. Your prayers have ‘availed much’!
Both the medical staff and our family marvel daily at mom’s sustenance. She is still in the CCU unit, and her system fluctuates daily. On Monday she was doing well, Tuesday she slumped low and today she’s doing okay again. She’s holding strong despite the medical ups and downs. Organs are fighting with organs, yet mom keeps waking up with a fresh spirit and ‘talks to us, hums with us and listens to us read the Word’. What can we say!!!!! My GOD! “Hitherto has He helped us”.
God in His mercies has given my family the opportunity to now journey daily with mom. I count it a privilege, especially because I have traveled so extensively for the past 10 years and have missed so many special moments… She’s always been proud of all her children and is very proud of FM ministry, feels very much a part of it, so she never complains when I am away. So, I appreciate your prayers as I pause a few weeks of ministry to be a part of her journey now. On Thursday we have a family meeting with this weeks’ Critical Care Doctor. His desire is to have mom removed from the CCU unit into a regular unit – with less monitoring and less aggressive treatments. However, this is our hope – ‘our times are in HIS hands’ and mom has already proven that God is in charge of life and times! Blessings to you all and I pray that as you rejoice in the goodness – yes – greatness of God, His miracles will be poured out upon your life.
August 29, 2008
‘Thanks’ at times seems like such a simplistic word when you desire to truly express gratitude – however, our Almighty God accepts even this simple thought – so today I offer “thanks” to all who have been praying for my family.
On Monday while en-route back to Canada, the doctors informed my siblings that mom may not make it through the day, and to inform family members of her plight. They believed God would sustain mom at least until I arrived in. I arrived on Tuesday and found our first miracle. Mom was alert, responding to treatments, being her jovial self (albeit altered); and amidst her ‘labored breathing’ was asking everyone to sing her favorite song, ‘Victory in Jesus’. Her strong and stubborn spirit is a family trait we have all come to love and emulate!
When the doctor came in for a consultation that evening, he stood at her bedside perplexed – shaking his head and said “let’s see what tomorrow holds before giving any prognosis.” Mom has been sustained and renewed in strength!
On Wednesday mom improved a bit more and is now responding better to treatments. Yet, she still baffles the doctors. Wed AM the Doc pulled a chair beside her bed, stared into her face and said, “Mrs. Miller, you are an amazing woman”. Then he turned to those in room and said, ‘where’s her favorite music?”. We all recognize the Sovereignty of God!
The Situation: On August 20th mom suffered a heart attack (detected afterwards). Then on Saturday, August 23rd she suffered a major heart attack crisis which has left her heart tissues damaged and some blockages. Her kidneys have been affected and due to her extreme diabetic disposition, there are some complications in treatment.
The Prognosis: While doctors say perhaps days or weeks, only God knows the time He has allocated to each one of us. All medical treatments are being applied and we trust our Jehovah Rapha that He can heal some of the parts now affected.The Prayer Request: Please continue to pray for divine healing – we have seen God already heal mom when all hope was gone. Please pray for her continued ‘peace’ which has been strength to the entire family and a testimony to the baffled doctors. Please continue to pray for my family members as we all process this difficult time in varied ways. Thank you for you love, consideration, prayer support – that’s what makes us friends!
We will continue to update you as things change.
Thanking God
August 26, 2008
It has been difficult to communicate in the past few days because of many quick changes in plans, programs and in the atmosphere. Today we can only give you the highlights as we are overwhelmed by walking in the divine plan of God and watch as His purposes have unfolded.
The Women Arise Conference exceeded our expectations and only eternity will tell all that happened. Although the President of the country passed away, we were given unusual permission to continue. The number of women attending the conference was well over 1000 – maybe 1200. All of our facilities were packed to overflowing. Even the meeting hall which seated 1200 people – women were seated outside the windows all around the building. The speakers from the various countries were powerfully anointed. Many of the women who attended had never been outside their country and as they began to catch the vision of “the queen of the South arising” you could see confidence and vision being imparted. (The President who passed away was also the Chairman of the Council for the South African Development Countries of which these ladies represented). We will send out a more detailed report of all of that when we are able.
The body of the late President arrived in this country on Saturday and there was a processional and memorial service. This dictated the early completion of the conference so that women would be able to participate in the memorial and travel freely back to their homes.Today (Sunday) the team was divided into four different churches and each church was blessed by the visitors and the words they shared. I wasn’t scheduled to speak but in the Lord’s providence and last-minute He downloaded a prophetic word over Zambia that I released in the church of the National Superintendent.Upon arriving back at our guest house I received word that my mother has had congestive heart failure, and I am preparing to fly home tomorrow morning.Please continue to pray for the team as they head to the village ministry and village of hope before their departures on Wednesday and some on Thursday Pastor Terry Johnston will be the last one leaving out on Friday as she finishes up business for the conference.
Again thank you for journeying with us…Blessings,
Pastor Marie MillerAugust 2008
I covet your prayers for the Women Arise conference for Southern Africa, to be held August 20-23 2008 – the fulfillment of a six-year vision! WOMEN ARISE is a multifaceted, not-for-profit conference geared for the development of the women of Southern Africa, and in particular the women in leadership. Its goal is to encourage and empower the women of Southern Africa and assist them to network together by sharing successful strategies that will impact their nations in the future. Thank-you, intercessors! “…you also helping together in prayer for us” ( 2 Corinthians 1:11)