The Frith Flyer Express ...

1st February 2001

By the time I get around to saying 'Happy New Year', a whole month has passed! 'Happy New Month' may be more current ...

Family Update

We've settled into a new routine as Joanna started school in January. She's coped very well with the change and looks very grown up in her new school uniform. There are days when she disappointingly expresses that she doesn't get as much time to play as she use to (I know how she feels!) but I guess it's all part of the adjustment.

William misses Joanna being at home, but now he can play with all of her toys without competition! His eczema continues to give him dry, irritating skin patches. We heard this week that a recent test done by the hospital revealed that he had a trace of infection on his leg sores, so we're trying to keep on top of it. We're much better prepared than this time last year when he was admitted to hospital.

Cheryl has mixed feelings of missing her little girl as opposed to having a bit more time to herself (and to give William a little more attention). She has a skin problem around one eye that has developed and she's seeing a skin specialist soon so your prayers would be appreciated.

OSCAR

Next month the OSCAR website will be 1 year old. I'm planning a few new additions to the site and a little publicity campaign to advertise the event. 2000 or so leaflets will be going out in the March Global Connections newsletter mailing.

These next few months are quite busy with weekend events and services. Here's the programme:

Feb 4th Youth Service at Kensworth, Dunstable circuit.
Feb 10th GoGlobal.com event in Swansea - having a stand for OSCAR.
Feb 11th The Bridge - I'm leading and speaking at this local outreach event.
Feb 25th Leading worship at Burbage, Hinckley circuit.
Mar 10/11th Leading 'Serving as Senders' course and preaching in Plymstock, Devon.

In addition, on Feb 18th and Mar 4th I'm playing in the music group at The Bridge.

Please keep us in your prayers and let us know about your news so we can pray for you.

In His service,

Mike, Cheryl, Joanna & William.

25th August 2000

Just a brief update this month, as it's still holiday season (just!).

OSCAR

For most of this month I've been busy putting together a fundraising package. It culminated in me sending out 300 or so letters this week to mission organisations and services seeking sponsorship and donations for the ongoing work of OSCAR. Please pray that the response will be good releasing
me to spend more time on OSCAR and less time on fundraising :-)

Family Update

We're all fine. William is standing on his own and starting to walk around the room with the assistance of the furniture. Joanna is back at nursery and dancing classes. The highlight of August was last weekend when we attended my parents Ruby Wedding Anniversary Shindig. There was a party for extended family and friends on Saturday followed by a family day on Sunday. It was great and enjoyed by everyone. Joanna got to wear her new sequin dress which 'sparkled' in the sunlight ... what a star!

Church

This afternoon we're off to Northampton for our church's weekend away. Once again, the kids are 'ballistic' with excitement. It's days like this when I stay in my office and keep very quiet! I'm going to have to emerge sometime though.

September sees us back in the swing of taking church services. We're in Dunstable on the 10th (10:30am at Dagnall, 6pm at The Square) and at Burbage on 17th (10:45am).

That's all for now. Enjoy your Bank Holiday weekend!

In His service,

Mike, Cheryl, Joanna & William.

25th July 2000

Where has July gone? More to the point, where has this year gone? In fact, it's only 5 months to Christmas! Who says time is a constant? Oh dear, am I getting old or what? ('what', I hope you say!). Enough of this ...

Holiday Time ... or not!

We were all set for a week of holiday in North Wales last week in Cheryl's parents' caravan. The week before, Joanna was sick during the night (some horrible stomach bug picked up at nursery, we think). Then, as we spent the first night at Cheryl's parents, William was sick. Thinking that he was
better the next morning, we all headed for the Lleyn Peninsula, caravan in tow. It became evident that night and the next morning that not only William was still unwell but Cheryl and I were starting to feel pretty rough. Joanna was the only one 'on form'. Faced with 3 sick people in a small caravan with very limited facilities (one of them screaming most of the time ... and I don't mean Cheryl!), we decided to return home after just one night! It was a good move because here we have things like a washing machine, hot water, spare clothes, space etc. After three days we had all recovered. Rather than attempt the trip again we've decided to have a few days out in the local area, exploring the Leicestershire countryside.

Let There Be Music

You may or may not know that I play guitar at our church on a Sunday morning. They have a group of young folk (and a few 'not-so-young' ... no comments please) who help with worship. I'm also helping out with playing at 'The Bridge' whilst their regular guitarist is away. 'The Bridge', in case
you're wondering, is not a pub or a ship's deck or a concrete overpass, but an event that takes place on Sunday afternoons in a local school to introduce Christianity to the community without making them 'come to church' and do 'churchy things'. Part of the weekly event is a presentation which
includes music. All that to say that it's a worthwhile venture that I'm pleased to be involved in and actively supporting. Your prayers for this weekly outreach would be appreciated.

Family Update

William is now 'very' mobile on 'all fours' and getting into everything. He's also teething, with one tooth already through and a second just about to appear. Joanna has finished nursery for the summer so is already bouncing off the walls at home. She returns to nursery on August 21st for 5 mornings
a week so that will be quite an adjustment.

The Wider Family

In my family, August has always been a busy month for birthdays and anniversaries. This year is a little special as it's my parents ruby (40th) wedding anniversary. So, we're all getting together and having a bit of a do (as you do). With my sister and I being in various parts of the world in past years, other occasions haven't had the whole family present, so it's great that we'll all be there this time.

OSCAR

This month I'm putting together a fundraising strategy for the project's next year. I'm writing to many of the organisations who have shown an interest in OSCAR, seeking their financial assistance. So, once again, your prayers for this would be appreciated.

That's about it for now. I hope your summer is progressing well and that you're taking time to 'smell the roses'!

In His service,

Mike, Cheryl, Joanna and William Frith

13th May 2000

I know it's spring because the weeds in the garden are winning! It's great, though, to have warmer weather and particularly for Joanna to play outside more. April has seen the start of a few significant excursions happening for us this year.

Easter People

The week after Easter we were at 'Easter People', the Christian event in Bournemouth on the south coast. For me it was mostly work as I spent each afternoon in and around the exhibition hall. OSCAR had a display board and I also helped on another stand run by 'Christian Vocations' who deal with vacancies in mission work. Then on Saturday I was leading a seminar on supporting missionaries. Cheryl and the children also came and whilst Joanna enjoyed the kids' club each morning, the rest of us got along to some of the main meetings. It was a good week for networking and catching up with old friends as there were many folk there from Cliff College and other places that we hadn't seen for a while.

Across the Pond

We have finally planned our trip to the USA. In two weeks (24th) we'll be flying across the pond to spend a week in Elizabethton, Tennessee, where I was for my three years of training before going to Africa. It's been 7 years since we were there and so it's an exciting time for everyone. Valley Forge United Methodist Church in Elizabethton have been great supporters of us during our time overseas and we're looking forward to renewing our friendship again. I shall also be doing a bit of flying to keep me current and we are planning to have a few days holiday in the Boston area before flying home.

Flying South for the Summer?

That leads me on to the next item. I have offered to do a month or so with MAF this summer, wherever they need me most. It looks like, at the moment, it may be Ethiopia as the humanitarian crisis there is keeping MAF very busy. I'm awaiting instructions from MAF and will let you know as soon as something materialises.

Virtually Anywhere

The OSCAR website continues to grow and evolve. Word is slowly getting around and each week I get several emails from folk around the world who discover it and register. The beauty of a 'virtual' service is that I can do it from anywhere in the world, so I can continue to manage the website wherever I happen to be these next few months.

Family Update

After a week by the sea in Bournemouth, William's eczema was looking much better. Maybe we'll have to move closer to the seaside? In Earl Shilton, you can't get much further from the sea (in fact, if you stick a pin in a map of England, it balances on Earl Shilton! ... try it at home!!).

On that note, I'll sign off and look forward to hearing your news.

In His service,

Mike, Cheryl, Joanna and William Frith

3rd April 2000

A Monthus Overwhelmus

A month has now passed since the launch of the OSCAR web-site and I can only think of one word to describe it ... overwhelming. The response has been terrific and the site statistics show that there have been roughly 20,000 individual page hits from 2000 individual people. Not a bad start. I'm now doing my best to get the word out to missionaries on the field about OSCAR and how it can help them. I've been very encouraged, too, by the positive emails and phone calls I've had from folk when they first discovered OSCAR. I'm convinced, more than ever now, that OSCAR is going to be a really useful resource for the world mission community and I'm thrilled to be involved in this work.

Missing Something?

Those of you that only receive the Frith Flyer Express (and not the printed Frith Flyer) may think you have missed the March issue. Virtually all the information in the March Frith Flyer has been included in the different Frith Flyer Express mailings, except perhaps the information about our future. For those who missed it, here it is again:

Future Feature

Most of you will remember that initially the Resource Project was just for a year. It's become obvious that, due to the positive response to the Resource project and OSCAR in particular, it will need to continue beyond August. Two of OSCAR's main strengths are 1) that it is independent of any individual mission organisation and can therefore provide services to all of them, and 2) that it has my complete devotion and I can give priority to managing and developing the service. I think that both of these strengths should remain for the near future and I plan to carry the project on for another year, at least.

In the last few months I have been looking at ways of providing long-term funding for OSCAR. As one way, I've been applying for trust funding. This is a slow and time-consuming process, though, and it will be some time before any results are achieved. I'm also hoping that donations and sponsorship for OSCAR may gradually increase as it's usefulness is realised. In the meantime, if you have been supporting us over the last year I would like you to consider continuing to do so beyond August. OSCAR has come about largely because of your support and I am extremely grateful. Your continuing support would mean that OSCAR can grow and develop into the best service possible for missionaries and mission organisations and, hence, provide the most help for them in their work.

I hope to have more details about plans for the next year later.

Family Update

Thanks, again, to all of you who continue to ask about and pray for William. His skin condition continues to have good days and bad days. Yesterday was a particularly bad day as he seemed to be developing spots on his face. It looked a bit like the last time when he ended up in hospital for 9 days. So, we took no risks and went to the A&E unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary. After 4 hours of waiting and tests, we came home with yet another course of anti-biotics. William looks better today so it looks like we caught it in time.

We had a big event on March 5th when William was dedicated at Burbage Methodist Church and most (about 21 or so) of our relations came for the day. It was great and really nice to see everyone.

Apart from William's skin problem and a few late bouts of winter colds, we're doing fine.

Forthcoming events include:

April 25th-31st - Seminar and exhibition participation at Easter People, BOURNEMOUTH.
May 7th - Preaching and video presentation at Wesley Methodist Church, HIGH WYCOMBE.
May 21st - Preaching at The Square and Dagnall Methodist Churches, DUNSTABLE circuit.

As well as the OSCAR site (www.oscar.org.uk), you can keep up with the latest 'Frith Flyer' news on the Frith Flyer website at www.frithflyer.org.uk. Here you will find not only copies of the Frith Flyer Express, but also online versions of the printed Frith Flyer with pictures!

In His service,

Mike, Cheryl, Joanna and William Frith

29th February 2000

It was so sweet, Cheryl came in earlier and proposed to me ... not wanting to miss the one-in-four-year chance of this 29th Feb. I then reminded her that it's a little late, two Feb 29ths ago we were engaged (1992) and three Feb 29ths ago we had only just met, it being in the middle of our year at Cliff College. How the years pass. Enough of this sentimental waffle ...

Thanks to all of you who continue to ask about William. He's still not 100%. His eczema causes him a few problems, some days are better than others. He's still as cheerful as ever, though, and we hope his skin condition will improve with age. At least he'll be in reasonable shape for his big day, this Sunday, when there will be a dedication service for him at Burbage Methodist Church and 22 other family members descend upon our house!

Tomorrow is another big day. It's the day that the project web-site, called OSCAR, goes live on the world wide web. It's been a busy few weeks getting everything prepared and it's now ready to launch. Word has already got around about the site and last week I did a radio interview for UCB (United Christian Broadcasting). There has been a pre-launch basic version of the site on the web since mid-January and already it has received over 5000 page visits (hits). I have had some leaflets printed and they will be going out with the 'Global Connections' (formerly the Evangelical Missionary Alliance) March mailing. Your prayers would be appreciated during tomorrow and beyond. If you get the chance, take a look at www.oscar.org.uk

As mentioned the last time, hidden in the OSCAR web-site at www.oscar.org.uk/frithflyer are the Frith Flyer web pages. There you can see the latest Frith family news and pictures if you think you've missed anything!

Due to the work, our trip to the US will probably be delayed until nearer the summer.

Please keep us updated on your news.

In His service,

Mike, Cheryl, Joanna and William Frith

3rd February 2000

Yesterday afternoon, after 9 days in Leicester Royal Infirmary, William was discharged. He's looking much better and is really back to his old (or young!) self. His sores have mostly cleared up and the medication he's on should see the last of that. We will need to monitor his eczema quite closely so that it doesn't flare up again. The eczema clinic at the hospital will help us with this which is more reassuring than just the local doctor's, who's slow reaction to the condition was the main reason why we ended up in the hospital. I'll say no more ... the health service has a bad enough press as it is at the moment!

It's great to have William and Cheryl back home again. As Cheryl is still feeding William, she stayed in the whole time too. They did come home for a few hours each afternoon over the last few days but the rest of the time was all spent in the hospital. Needless to say that Cheryl was longing to come home. I've been looking after Joanna for the whole time, so I've been doing my work in the mornings whilst she's been at nursery and in the evenings whilst she's been asleep. Most of the afternoons we went in to visit Cheryl and William. Not a 9 days I'd like to repeat too often!

Many thanks, once again, to all of you for your prayers and good wishes over the last 9 days. We've felt very 'uplifted' and honoured by your concern for little William :-) God bless you.

And in the other news ...

Frith Flyer Web goes Live.

There is now a Frith Flyer website. You can view copies of the latest newsletters (with pictures!) and updates online. Other content will gradually be added so keep an eye on the site if you have internet access. Take a look at www.oscar.org.uk/frithflyer. Any comments or suggestions you have will be gratefully received.

Project Website Update

Just in case you were wondering what the 'oscar' part of the frith flyer web address is, OSCAR is the name of the 'resource' website. OSCAR is an acronym of 'the One Stop Centre for Advice and Resources' and is billed as the 'UK Information Service for World Mission'. At the moment I have all the graphical templates designed and I am adding the content to the site (the 'meat on the bones' as it were). OSCAR is due for launch on March 1st. There's not much there at the moment but you can see the beginnings of the site at www.oscar.org.uk.

Family News

There will be a dedication service for William at Burbage Methodist Church on March 5th, 10:45am. If you're in the area and would like to come along, we would love to see you.

We are taking a few other services in the next few weeks including:

Feb 12/13th Missions W/E - Aston Meth., ROTHERHAM (not Sheffield!).
Feb 20th Service - Burbage Meth. Church, HINCKLEY.
Mar 12th Service - The Square Meth. Ch., DUNSTABLE.

We are trying to plan a trip to the USA in March or April, mainly to visit supporters and friends in Elizabethton, Tennessee, but also so I can do some currency flying.

That's all the news for now.

In His service,

Mike, Cheryl, Joanna and William Frith

A brief update on little William. He's still in hospital but is responding well to the treatment and gradually getting better. He's been through a course of antibiotics, initially intravenously given but now orally. He's also been on some anti-virus treatment. They defined the virus as being herpes and say that cases like William's are rare, only between six and ten a year in Leicestershire. Now they want to clear the sores up on his face and head and then do a skin analysis to determine how bad his eczema is. We hope that he'll be out at the beginning of next week.

Many thanks to all of you for your continued prayers and thoughts, we've appreciated the messages.

Mike.

Just to let you know that William was admitted to Leicester Royal Infirmary last night.

He's had an ongoing skin condition on his face and head that started as mild eczema but developed into open sores that attracted bacterial infection and, in the last couple of days, a viral infection. He's seen four doctors over the last six weeks and been on four different lots of medication but none of them seem to have been strong enough to reverse the developing condition and associated problems. Yesterday the doctor recommended hospitalisation so they can treat him intravenously with stronger medicine to clear up the multiple conditions he's developed. They say he will probably be in for 5 days or so.

Last night Cheryl stayed with him whilst I returned to look after Joanna (my parents happened to be here for the day which was brilliant timing!). This morning Cheryl says that William is already improving and Joanna and I are going in to visit as soon as she returns from nursery.

Your prayers would be appreciated and I'll keep you updated later in the week as to how William progresses.

Thanks.

Mike.

Back to THE FRITH FLYER ... Newsletter Online

Copyright © Frith Flyer.
Last revised: May 09, 2006

Back to THE FRITH FLYER ... Newsletter Online

Copyright © Frith Flyer. Last revised: May 09, 2006

Copyright © Frith Flyer.
Last revised: May 09, 2006