Dear Supporters,
Greetings to you all in the lovely name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is with immense joy that I come to you via this letter. I know that it has been a while since I last sent you a report and other than some sickness and being busy, I have no excuse. Nevertheless, I want to inform you of our trips from September to December in this end of the year report.
After nine weeks, Joni and I started traveling again. I was not finished with rehabilitation for my right knee replacement surgery that I had in July as my progress report demanded at least four to six more weeks. The technician agreed to me traveling the first part of the week if I returned for a session every Friday. This continued through the end of September. They also discouraged me from traveling too long of a distance as the time in the car or airplane presented a risk for blood clots. Therefore, we scheduled meetings that were a reasonable distance from home. Our meetings in September took us to the Flo Community Baptist Church in Flo, Texas, New Beginnings Baptist Church in Edgewood, Texas, Cornerstone Baptist Church in Westville, Oklahoma, and the Calvary Baptist Church in Arcola, Texas. Other than my knee still being weak due to standing and preaching, both the travelling and the preaching seemed to go well. There was a good spirit in each of the services, and the churches were very understanding of my physical situation. I was able to make it back every Friday for the scheduled rehabilitation appointments and my technician was satisfied with my progress.
Starting in October I still had to do two more weeks of rehabilitation and at the end of those two weeks my technician told me that my rehab was complete and I did not have to return, praise the Lord! October took us to the Lukfata Baptist Church in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, Washington County Baptist Church in Lincoln, Arkansas, Charity Baptist Church in Pontotoc, Mississippi, New Life Baptist Church in Splendora, Texas, Victory Chapel Baptist Church in Conostee, South Carolina, and the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Texas. It was great to be back out doing what the Lord called me to do, and we enjoyed the fellowship of the churches.
By the start of November my knee had turned the corner, and I was close to 90% healed. I was still feeling some weakness in my muscles after standing a while but there was no more pain. Joni and I were very encouraged, and we began our travels for the month of November. Our itinerary included the Shady Grove Baptist Church in Ecru, Mississippi, Unity Baptist Church in Ripley, Mississippi, Greatest Mission Baptist Church in Pontotoc, Mississippi, Victorious Life Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Indiana, and the Liberty Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. We were blessed immensely by the love and generosity of God’s people!
December came and we found ourselves feeling the effects of an exceptionally long and complicated year. I not only had major surgery but Joni and I both turned seventy years old, and our bodies are telling us that we are not as young as we used to be. Nevertheless, in our hearts we are both still excited about what the Lord has called us to do, and we are grateful for both the desire and the health to continue. December took us to the Fort Hope Baptist Camp Meeting in Leesville, Louisiana, Grace Memorial Baptist Church in Tupelo, Mississippi, New River Baptist Church in Fulton, Mississippi, and the Appleby Baptist Church in Nacogdoches, Texas. What a blessed time was had in every church.
Upon arriving at home, we were looking forward to a blessed Christmas with our family and the Lord provided just that. Now the new year has come, and we are looking at 2026 with great anticipation of what the Lord is going to do. We trust that all of you had a blessed Christmas and that 2026 will bring you all the best of what God has in store for you, your families, and your churches.
In closing, allow us to thank you for your kindness and generosity in not only supporting us financially but also with your prayers. Many of you sent extra offerings as Christmas gifts along with Christmas cards, for all of them we THANK YOU sincerely!
We love you all,
Brother Mark Thrift
