July 20, 2002

Dear Brethren:

I trust things are well with you. I'll try to bring you up-to-date on what's been going on with us. While we've been in the US my health has kept me from visiting very many of our supporting churches. We've spent practically the whole time here in Hattiesburg with our church, Central Baptist, with only three or four short trips away. Some of you already know about my health problems, which I've been trying to get to the bottom of since our return home. For those who don't, I'll provide a summary. Increasingly over the past few years I've been feeling like I was failing apart physically, just drained and wiped out, and the last 1-1/2 years in Mozambique began wondering if my ministry was about over. When we got to the States, one of my priorities was to get checked out by a good doctor. Bro. Jerry George, the pastor of our church, recommended a doctor in Jackson, and I have been under his orders the past few months. Dr. Blaylock ordered a series of tests, at the same prescribing me to stay put for about six months, a strict diet, juicing vegetables, vitamin supplements, etc. The tests showed my adrenal glands were exhausted, the pituitary gland didn't even register a level of ACTH, chronic fatigue, and a toxic level of mercury in my system. Probably the mercury is the cause of the other problems. The mercury has primarily come from the metal fillings in my teeth. I'm in the process of having all metal fillings removed, and replacing them with resin and porcelain fillings. This will continue over the next few weeks, the Lord willing.

Last year as we made our preparations to come to the US, we bought round-trip tickets, at a savings of about $3,000.00, that would be good up to a year. The departure date of our return to Mozambique is set for October 16. Our residence in Mozambique is renewable yearly and will expire October 31. If we are to return to Mozambique in October we probably will not get to visit many of you. Though we would like to see all of you, I am confident that you would rather have us go ahead and return to the field, if possible, rather than take the extra time needed to visit all of you. Our return to Africa will be conditioned on my health. I am feeling better, but still don't have a lot of energy. This should begin to change once all metal fillings are out. I may also have to do some chelation therapy. Before returning I want to improve enough to have reasonable expectation that I will continue to make progress and be able to do mission work. Within the next few weeks I hope to have a clearer picture that will enable us, by the leading of the Lord, to make a definite decision. We need and request your earnest prayers concerning all of this.

In the way of family news, Cindy has been taking good care of me. Our oldest son, Joshua, 24, graduated from Baptist Bible Translators Institute in Bowie, Texas on May 12, with a B. A. in Linguistics. He is presently with us here in Hattiesburg, and has joined our church, with the view of them eventually sending him out as a missionary. Our son-in-law Ed Blakeman and daughter Jessica (we have two grandbabies, Aaron and Lela) have also moved to Hattiesburg in the last few months, and joined here at Central. Our second boy, Peter, 20, will be staying behind this time as we return to Mozambique, and is applying for entrance to Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia. Our third boy, John, 18, has recently surrendered to preach and made it public at our church. He will return with us, alone with Priscilla, Janell, and Rose.

Thank you so much for your love, concern, and support of us. The Lord bless you.

In Christ,

Daniel A. Rogers