Archive for the Prayer N Praise category
Safe and Sound in Louisiana
Posted on Monday, January 25, 2010 at 10:57 PM by Paul Kovach
We made it! Another safe trip to the Deep South. Thank you all for your prayers. When I stepped out of the van this evening tears came to my eyes because the smell in the air was such a strong reminder of Brazil and the strong desire to be back there reaching the Brazilians for Christ! Pray for us while we our down here. We have many meetings, starting with a missions conference this week. Pray that we will see many of these churches partner with our ministry and that we will leave this place with the majority of the remaining support that we need.
While at the hotel last night, we had a couple of visitors. My children were absolutely thrilled! Most hotels do not allow pets, but this one supplied them.
Posted in News (RSS), Prayer N Praise (RSS)
One more...
Posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 8:21 PM by Paul Kovach
Correction, we just had another church call today to announce their partnership with our ministry. That makes 78%
Edited on: Thursday, January 21, 2010 7:56 PMPosted in Prayer N Praise (RSS)
Support Level Increase!
Posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 3:21 PM by Paul Kovach
We are closing in on our goal! We had a wonderful Meeting this past Sunday and the Lord moved tremendously on the hearts of the people, leading them to partner with our ministry! Praise the Lord. This, with the many other chutches who have partnered with us recently, this places us at 77% Thank you for all of your prayers for our family. We can tase brazil!
Edited on: Monday, January 18, 2010 8:19 PMPosted in Prayer N Praise (RSS)
What a Blessing in Louisiana and an added surprise!
Posted on Monday, July 20, 2009 at 9:28 PM by Paul Kovach
We just finished a 4 week trip in Louisiana. We were originally supposed to be there for just over 2 weeks, but the Lord brought other meetings across our path while we were there. When we first arrived, the heat was over 100 degrees with humidity about 80% or more. Kinda like Brazil can be! We praise the Lord that we saw 3 new churches partner with our ministry on this 4-week trip! When we got home, you can see below what we came home to!
Posted in News (RSS), Prayer N Praise (RSS)
Enoch is whith Christ!
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 9:11 PM by Ashley Kovach
We had been waiting for the passing of the third month to announce that Ashley was expecting. As we went in for the four-month checkup the doctors were unable to find the child’s heartbeat. A second visit with a confirming ultrasound showed that we had indeed lost the child. On June 27th we held a burial for the baby boy whom we chose to name Enoch. He was not for God took him. We praise the Lord for His grace and for the hope that we have in Christ that we will see Enoch again. We thank the many of you who uphold our family in your prayers as God uses them in large part to help us through these trials.
Posted in Prayer N Praise (RSS)
New Prayer Card!
Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 at 8:52 PM by Paul Kovach
We have a new prayer card available! You can not imagine how hard it is to get 6 young children to smile at the same time. To get the High Res Photo, Click here!
Posted in News (RSS), Prayer N Praise (RSS)
New Van
Posted on Monday, April 20, 2009 at 2:18 PM by Paul Kovach
Another step completed in preparations to move to Brazil. One of my concerns was that of being able to sell our vehicle once we were ready to depart to Brazil. Also, traveling with 8 members (5 of which are in car seat) was getting quite cramped. The Lord brought us to a ministry based out of MO, Baptist Missionary Transportation Ministry, which leases vehicles for missionaries. They also purchased our van in the form of equity towards the lease of the new van. It is a 12 passenger Chevy Express. I almost feel like I need an intercom to communicate with the children in the back! What a Blessing!
Posted in News (RSS), Prayer N Praise (RSS)
The Best Pennsylvania Tour Yet
Posted on Sunday, March 08, 2009 at 10:27 PM by Paul Kovach
Our family has been in Pennsylvania for the past 3 ½ weeks. We have been extremely busy with being in a church every Monday and Wednesday. Our last meeting here is this coming Sunday before we head home. The Lord has been moving mightily while we have been here. When we came to Pennsylvania we had 62 percent of our support. Now, as we depart, we are just at 70 percent after having gained 3 new supporting churches! Thank you for all of your prayers for our family! Please continue to pray as we have several churches preparing to vote in the next few weeks in regards to partnering with our family to reach the Brazilians for Christ. We believe 80 percent by this spring and 100 percent by the end of the year is within reach! Pray, Pray, Pray!
I really liked how this church decorated for their missions conference!
Posted in News (RSS), Prayer N Praise (RSS)
Petition To Keep Our Tax Dollars From Funding Abortion
Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 10:02 PM by Paul Kovach
"The only thing necessary for the triumph [of evil] is for good men to do nothing."
I have a very disturbing report for you on how the Obama Congress is moving quickly to funnel hundreds of millions of your tax dollars to the abortion industry. Focus on the Family Action has just launched a citizen petition to oppose this latest phase in the radical, pro-abortion agenda, as well as the effort to force you and me to pay for it. You can click here to see and sign the Petition. It only takes a couple of minutes, if that.
Edited on: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 10:06 PMPosted in Articles/Musings (RSS), Prayer N Praise (RSS)
Closing of a good year
Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 3:45 PM by Paul Kovach
As we finish up this year we look back at over 50 church meetings. We have seen 8 new supporting churches and our support move up to 62%. We praise the Lord with you for this. Now we are able to begin the preparations for our visa work and researching all that we need in order to obtain our visas. Please pray for our family as we seek to get this material together all-the-while we travel to churches and seek to maintain a full schedule.
Posted in News (RSS), Prayer N Praise (RSS)
Colds, Illnesses and Flu
Posted on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 3:18 PM by Paul Kovach
Please keep our family in Prayer as we have all been battling a series of illnesses. It has been going on 5 weeks of constant illness and we have had to cancel two missions meetings as a result. It feels as if missionaries are the pollinators of colds and viruses amongst churches as we seem to pick up whichever ailment is present at whichever church we are at. May God bless you all as you serve our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Posted in Prayer N Praise (RSS)
A Great Missions Conference
Posted on Monday, November 03, 2008 at 12:37 PM by Paul Kovach
Thomas Helm made the statement that his "test of a good novel is dreading to begin the last chapter." In our situation, the test of a good mission conference is dreading to begin the last night. We just finished with a wonderful mission conference in Millville, PA. Even though the church has been without a pastor the spirit of the church was so very sweet and you could see the love that they had for one another. I wish to, by their sensitivity to the Lord, encourage other churches by their example. We were witness to the Lord doing many incredible things in and through the church, including increasing their faith promise by 55%. Even the deacons were amazed at the Grace of God bestowed upon their church family as their faith promise increased from $20,000 to $30,700! Praise the Lord for their sensitivity to the prompting of God's Spirit. It is my wish, even as the Apostle Paul wished in II Corinthians, that God's people abound in this same grace also; remembering the love of Christ how he became poor for our sakes that we might be rich through Him.
Edited on: Sunday, November 16, 2008 9:38 AMPosted in News (RSS), Prayer N Praise (RSS)
Making rounds in da U.P.
Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 3:03 PM by Paul Kovach
The past couple of weeks have been those of abundant blessing. After our meeting in Brimley, we were able to part of the Baptist Pioneer Missions Institute held at Fundamental Baptist Church. It was a time of refreshment, encouragement, and fellowship. We were challenged through God's word as well as one-on-one by veteran missionaries and pastors involved in missions. We were also privileged to be party to the commissioning service of Nate Rader, son of Bud Rader. It was a very uplifting time as we were able to step back from the hubbub of deputation and be surrounded by fellow missionaries walking to same path and sharing the same common cause.
We are pleased to mention that this time period has brought with it another church taking our family on for support as well as a current supporting church increasing their current faith promise and in conjunction the support of their current missionaries. During our time here in the upper peninsula of Michigan, we will have been in 4 churches in the 4 weeks that we have been here. It has been such a blessing to see how the Lord has been answering prayers concerning lining up meetings. For the remainder of the year, we have more churches scheduled than weeks left. In the month of September alone, we will be in 15 churches. Thank you for all your prayers in this mater. Please pray that as we present out ministry to these churches that we will find the church that the Lord desires to have partner with our ministry in reaching the Brazilians for Christ.
Posted in News (RSS), Prayer N Praise (RSS)
It died just at the right time.
Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 12:08 PM by Paul Kovach
It never ceases to amaze me how God takes care and watches over us. This past week, we had a meeting in Brimley Michigan. It took two days to get there. As we traveled, everything went uneventful. As we neared the church, roughly 5 miles away, the van began to sputter. Seeing that we were down to an eighth of a tank of gas, I assumed that there must be water in the tank or bad gas. After having to restart the van a couple of times we finally made it to a gas station where I was able to put in a fuel additive and some fresh premium gas. We were able to start the van without incident and made it to the church. On Sunday we had to go to a gathering in between services and the van would not start. The engine would turn over but never catch. As I turned the key I listened for, but never heard the fuel pump activate. It had given up the ghost! What a blessing!!! Just to think that the Lord allowed us to make it all this way and kept the pump working and did not allow it to fail until we were parked in the church parking lot. We were able to drive to Sault Saint Marie to pick up the parts we needed and the van is running once again. The fun part was trying to drop an almost full gas tank since the fuel pump is located on the top of the tank. We must have bent the float a bit when we put it back in because when we fill up the tank it only reads three-quarters of a tank. Oh well! At least that way we will always have a cushiony fuel reserve. Thank you to all of you who uphold us in prayer as we travel!
Posted in News (RSS), Prayer N Praise (RSS)
Titus is discharged!
Posted on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 10:58 PM by Paul Kovach
Thank you all for your constant prayers for our family and especially Titus. God has answered above and beyond. This afternoon we received the call that Titus was to be discharged this evening instead of Monday. They still do not know what caused the entire ordeal and all of the tests came back negative. The only thing that we can think of is that the cold which swept though our family also infected Titus. Whereas everyone else's bodies were able to fight it, Titus' was not and sequentially succumbed to it. It is similar as to how most people are able to come down with the flu and be alright whereas to others (such as elderly and young children) the flu is a life-threatening illness. The doctor said that Titus has exceeded their expectations for recovery and was ready to be back home with his mom and dad. He is doing very well, as you will be able to see from the photos. He is a able to breathe well, hold his own body temperature, and is eating 2-3 times what the doctors expected him to be able to hold down after such an ordeal. Having Titus come home is the best birthday gift I could have gotten.
I cannot thank you all enough for your prayers, support, and letters that you have sent to us. It is through you and your prayers that we were able to bear up under this trial.
Edited on: Sunday, November 16, 2008 9:40 AMPosted in News (RSS), Prayer N Praise (RSS)
May 9th - Kovach Ministries Baby Update
Posted on Friday, May 09, 2008 at 1:09 AM by Paul Kovach
Day 3
Thank you all so very much for your prayers for our family and especially for Titus. Today, Titus crossed three more milestones. At 11:30am the doctors felt Titus had made enough progress in order to remove his ventilator tube. During the night he did not have any periods of respiratory cessation. There were times where his respiratory rate dropped, but this was due to the excessive amount of secretions in his lungs. When this happens, the doctors have been able to successfully suction his lungs clean and Titus' breathing returns to normal. The second milestone is in regards to his body temperature. He is now able to once again maintain his own body temperature without the assistance of a heat lamp and is regaining his normal pinkish color. He is now able to simply be swaddled as a baby normally would be. Finally, Titus is off of the IV's and is able to eat normally again. Tonight Ashley was able to nurse Titus for a full feeding. He was able to eat about 2 ounces. His appetite is back and in full swing!
The doctors still are not sure as to what initially brought about this incident. All of the lab tests for bacterial infections came back negative as did the viral tests which they ran. The possibility of any form of cancer was also ruled out. With that being said, the doctors are very pleased with the rate of his recovery. He will continue to remain in isolation in the Natal Intensive Care Unit until he is released, but it would appear that the worst is behind us and now we can look forward toward recovery.
Please continue to pray for him as he strives to regain weight he lost through this ordeal. Being a preemie, he did not have much weight to lose to begin with.
From the Photos, you will be able to see how much better he looks. We praise the Lord for his recovery and again thank you all for how you have been upholding and how you will continue to uphold both Titus and the rest of our family before the throne of our Mighty God!
If you have missed any of the updates, we have also been posting them on our blog so people are able to catch up.
Edited on: Sunday, November 16, 2008 9:41 AMPosted in News (RSS), Prayer N Praise (RSS)
May 8th - Kovach Ministries Baby Update
Posted on Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 5:46 PM by Paul Kovach
Day 2
Titus made it past the 24 hour mark which is considered a milestone by the doctors. During the night he continued to stop breathing for periods of time. So far this morning and early afternoon, he has not had any such episodes. The lab cultures for the meningitis have not grown anything indicating that he most likely does not have bacteria in his spinal fluid. So, now the doctors are back to trying to find what is ailing Titus. The next probable cause is a respiratory viral agent. Last night they gave him, in addition to the multiple different antibiotics, a broad spectrum anti-viral medication. This morning he began to expel a yellow fluid and mucus-like substance from his lungs. When he does this, his respiratory rate drops very low, but does not stop. So far, the doctors have been able to suction his lungs clear during each episode. Their hope is that this indicates the medications are beginning to take effect. The doctors have him set to stay hospitalized for no less than 5 days, maybe more.
Through all of this, God's grace has been overshadowing. The hospital was gracious enough to provide housing for the first two nights at one of the hotels across the street. The hospital would like for us to stay close for Caleb's sake.
I want to say a special thank you to all of you who have been in earnest prayer and to all the churches that have been holding our family before the throne of grace. Thank you for all of the encouraging e-mail and letters. They have been a real sense of encouragement.
We have a couple of photos of the twins on the way and at the hospital. Click here to view them.
or go to http://www.kovachministries.com/photogallery/album/2008/Family/Titus%20at%20Cincinnati%20Childrens%20hospital/index.html
We will do our best to keep you updated as we are able.
Edited on: Sunday, November 16, 2008 9:42 AMPosted in Prayer N Praise (RSS)
!!Urgent Prayer!! Kovach Ministries Baby Update
Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 5:44 PM by Paul Kovach
Dear Friends and Supporting Churches,
We are requesting urgent prayer for one of the twins, Titus Luke. I am writing to you from the Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati. This morning, when Titus awoke he was bluish grey and very cold. We tried to wrap him even warmer and keep him next to our bodies. It was then that we noticed that he was taking 3 or 4 shallow breaths and then not breathing for 10-30 seconds at a time. I took him to the local hospital. Saturday, we had to take both Caleb and Titus to the hospital because of illness and a thick yellow substance which was covering their eyes. The diagnosis of that trip was a rare form of bacteria. The doctors believe that the bacteria had gone into Titus’ blood and is now systemic. The main concern, which may be causing the natal apnea, is meningitis. While we were at our local hospital, they called a Natal Intensive Care Unit from Cincinnati to pick him up. We followed it to the Children’s Hospital where Titus has been admitted. They believe that he will have to remain here for about a week or more. He currently has to be on a ventilator due to his inability to breathe on his own. We may be taking Caleb to the ER to have him checked in since he has had the same bacteria and is still not doing well himself. Please pray. I will try to keep you updated as I am able.
Edited on: Thursday, May 08, 2008 5:45 PMPosted in Prayer N Praise (RSS)
Kovach Ministries Baby Update
Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 5:43 PM by Paul Kovach
Our family wanted to thank you for your diligent prayers for our family throughout Ashley’s pregnancy. God has been gracious and answered your prayers as we were all praying that she would be able to carry the twins at least until 34 weeks, which was April 15th. It is awesome how God answers direct prayer as Ashley went into labor and delivered Titus Luke and Caleb Joshua at 6:38am on April 15th. Ashley did have to have the children via cesarean since both were breech at the time of labor.
For the statistic enthusiasts, Caleb was firstborn at 6:38am. He weighed 4 pounds 7.6 ounces and was 16 ½ inches long. Titus, born at 6:39am, weighed in at 5 pounds 1 ounce and was 17 inches long. I will post photos as I am able and time permits.
We praise the Lord for his wonderful answers to prayer. Both children, even though being born at 34 weeks, were very healthy. One main concern for children born this early is that their lungs will not be fully developed. We are excited to report that both Caleb and Titus had fully developed lungs and their blood oxygen saturation level was at 100%. The second main concern is regarding their ability to eat properly. Again, both Caleb and Titus have hearty appetites and have been eating well and without incident. By the day after their birth, Caleb had dropped to 4 pounds 2 ounces and Titus to 4 pounds 10 ounces. They have since regained their birth weight.
The past two weeks have been very busy with adjusting to a new norm for our family. Caleb struggled with jaundice initially and had to be on a billirubin blanket at home through last week. I have been busy caring for Ashley, who has been recuperating from her cesarean. Unfortunately, she had a minor complication from the surgery. After the operation, Ashley developed a spinal fluid headache which is a result of spinal fluid leaking from the point of the epidural. Those who have experienced migraines and latter had a spinal headache say that there is no comparison of pain. Spinal headaches directly affect the central nervous system. By the third day, the doctors were able to perform what is called a “blood patch.” It is a process whereby they take 15cc’s of Ashley’s blood and inject it into the point of leakage in the spinal sac. As the blood clots it allows the membrane to heal and retain the spinal fluid.
Thank you for all of your prayer support for our family and especially during Ashley’s pregnancy and the healthy delivery of the twins. God used your prayers to bring all this to pass and we cannot thank you enough!
Posted in News (RSS), Prayer N Praise (RSS)
Saved by the Power of Prayer
Posted on Sunday, March 16, 2008 at 11:34 PM by Paul Kovach
Life around the Kovach home has been a little topsy turvy lately.
In the middle of March we had a large snowstorm. Because of this, we had to reschedule that following Sunday’s ministry presentation since the majority of Churches were cancelled and roads were extremely dangerous.
Ashley's pregnancy has been progressing along very consistently. We had a little bit of a scare last Thursday. Ashley seemed to have picked up a stomach bug or ate something which upset her stomach. This in turn caused her to spontaneously go into intense labor contractions every 2-3 minutes without warning. We were concerned, due to the intense pain and suddenness of the onset, that this might be a miscarriage. Ashley is 30 weeks along; much too early for the twins to be born, and the survival rate by this time is not much better than 50-60 percent. We got to the hospital as quickly as possible. As we got situated into the room, nurses began flying around the room and medications began to flow. I would like to say a special thanks to all of you who have been praying for her safety during this pregnancy and to those who were part of the numerous prayer chains through this incident. The doctors gave her multiple shots of brethine in order to slow and stop the contractions as well as a steroid to help encourage the twins’ lungs to develop a little bit quicker. In their minds, they said she had a 50/50 chance. By God’s Grace, the doctors were able to get her contractions down to 1 per hour, which is within tolerable limits for a pregnancy. The children were saved by the power of your prayers interceeding on their behalf. Currently, Ashley is on strict bed rest. Please keep me in your prayers as well as I strive to be Father, Mother, and nurse, as well as continuing to line up future meetings for deputation. Thank you again for all of your prayers for Ashley and for you understanding as communication on our end may be a bit slow during this time period.
Edited on: Sunday, March 16, 2008 11:36 PMPosted in News (RSS), Prayer N Praise (RSS)