In light of the tragic accident that took the life of three-year-old, precious Azlynn Cretzman, we have come to really love and appreciate  hearing the words, “I will be praying for you.” We never want to take for granted the divine protection from God as Christians all across America have lifted our family in prayer. Through the Matt Cretzman Family (missionaries to Cuba), we have seen the sufficiency in the grace of God. I am humbled while convicted of my faith in the Lord during the seemingly dark times of life.

In late December, we finished our meetings in California and began our travels to South Carolina to continue our deputation journey on the East Coast. We were thankful to visit our home church in Arkansas along the way to give a deputation update. It was a joy to see my church family.

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We praise God for the busy 2012 schedule that He has already provided for our family. We are looking forward to finalizing our last year of deputation. Please be in prayer as Susan and I take a quick trip in April to visit and encourage a church in  Southeast Asia. As it stands, our intentions are still to be in Singapore permanently by the end of November, 2012.

We have seen 5 people trust Christ through personal soulwinning since January 2012. Pray for Wendy, Caesar, Chaz, Brandon, and Cynthia–all of whom we had the privilege of leading to the Lord in the recent months. They all need to follow the Lord in believer’s baptism and attend a local Baptist church.

Since our last newsletter, we have now reached the 45% mark in our support. We are thankful for the many new ministries that have begun their financial support of our mission.

1. Fellowship Baptist Church – Durham, North Carolina
2. White Oak Baptist Church – Stratford, Connecticut
3. Beacon Baptist Church – Raleigh, North Carolina
4. Laurel Baptist Church – Charlotte, North Carolina
5. International Baptist Church – Brooklyn, New York
6. Lighthouse Baptist Church – Oakdale, California
7. Centennial Baptist Church – Caldwell, Idaho
8. Hopewell Baptist Church – Napa, California
9. Shady Grove Baptist Church – Bossier City, Louisiana
10. Shenandoah Baptist Church – Cleveland, Tennessee
11. Grace Baptist Chapel – Elmira, New York
12. Eastside Baptist Church – Murray, Kentucky
13. First Baptist Church – Long Beach, California

Prayer Requests //
Safety in travels
Soul winning efforts
SE Asia Trip in April and provision of finances to facilitate this trip
Potential Singapore Team Missions Labourers (JOIN US!)

Provision & Answered Prayers //
Vehicle work performed by:
Ivan Baker of Baker Automotive in Marion, North Carolina provided a check-up, oil change, and general maintenance work.
South Haven Baptist in Springfield, Tennessee fixed our broken windshield.
Grace Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia changed our oil and replaced a belt.
Unspoken prayer request – Answered (PTL!)

“It shouldn’t take a tragedy like this for there to be this kind of awareness of missions and people to encourage everybody like that. Imagine if everybody’s response to each other was like this all the time.” Matt Cretzman

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. Psalm 91:15
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. – Psalm 55:17
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

I continue to be in awe at the amazing love of God. His grace and His strength truly is sufficient. We have witnessed countless promises of Scripture fulfilled in the lives of Matt and Lana Cretzman. Many have commented about their amazing strength during this trying time in their life. Yes! It is trying, but through Him, The Cretzmans have been able draw strength from their faith. Their faith in Jesus Christ has remained strong. However, they continue to covet your prayers. For your prayers have also been a source of strength. To know that their names are being lifted up towards Heaven on their behalf gives them joy, comfort, and much appreciation.

Due to the tremendous support of many people in the Greensboro/Winston-Salem area, the media outlets have been overwhelmed with the latest outcome of this precious family. They have certainly touched the hearts of the people not only in this area, but across the nation as well as the world. To this, we say, “Praise the Lord!” Thank you for showing the love of Christ to the Cretzmans. Thank you for your generous love gifts and words of encouragement. Please continue to lift them up in your prayers. Often the hardest time in an event such as this is still yet to come. Your many words of encouragement and prayer support means the world. They have been able to read many of your posts. Thank you! Thank you! Pour on the love!

 
God is at work! Late this evening, Lana had the privilege of speaking with her nurse at the hospital about the Lord. We are thrilled to see how God is using this event to bring people to the saving knowledge of Christ. Thus far, we have seen/heard of three souls that have trusted Him through this event. To God be the glory!

What a joy to see the response of God’s people and to see answers to prayers right before our very eyes. On behalf of the Cretzmans, they want to express their continued deepest gratitude for the love and prayers that have been shown. There have literally been thousands of emails, phone calls, personal visits, Facebook messages, Tweets, and website comments expressing your deep love and prayers for them. To this end, we are humbled and we say thank you.

Lana’s surgery went well. She is recovering nicely in a private room. The initial acknowledgement from the hospital was that she would probably be released late Saturday, especially considering that the funeral needed to take place by Monday/Tuesday. However, because of your faithful prayers, Lana is healing quite well and she may be released by Friday. Praise the Lord! Of course, there will be extensive rehabilitation to follow for several weeks and maybe months, but Lana is a strong we pray that her recovery would be speedy.

Today has been quiet a hectic and busy day. You cannot imagine the thought of having to prepare for the funeral arrangements for your precious little daughter. Today was a hard and challenging day, however, with God’s grace and strength, funeral arrangements are being made. God showed great favor! Your prayers are being heard. Pastor Bobby Roberson has offered Gospel Light Baptist Church facilities for visitation as well as the funeral itself. Also, there have been some burial land at a local cemetery that has been graciously donated to allow for the burial of precious Azlynn.

The family would like to make known the times for the funeral services of Azlynn Cretzman. The services will be on Monday, February 27th at Gospel Light Baptist Church in Walkertown, North Carolina.

Visitation from 10 am to 12 pm
Visitation from 3 pm to 4:30 pm
Funeral Service at 6 pm

Gospel Light Baptist Church
890 Walkertown Guthrie Rd
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
tel. (336) 722-9700

For all those who are still looking to donate to the Cretzman family you may still do so through the donate link on this page, or through one of the churches listed below. Also, please note that within the next 24 hours we will make known a banking account where people may make a deposit directly to the Cretzman family.

My family and I continue to weep for Matt and Lana in the loss of 3 yr-old, Azlynn Cretzman. Such a beautiful little girl. Such a sweet heart. Such a joyful face. However, we know that she is in the arms of her Heavenly Father. Azlynn is just that precious that God wanted her with Him in Heaven. The thought really hit home as we continue to pray for the Cretzmans. We too travel as missionaries practically everyday. We too have small children. I cannot begin to process what is going on in the mind and heart of Matt and Lana.

Sometimes it is not just the prayers of God’s people that we need, but rather an outward expression of that love. It is no doubt that many prayers are being lifted for Matt, Lana, and Maddison. Your prayers for are being felt and God is intervening on your behalf for the Cretzmans. I am amazed at the incredible faith of this young missionary. His first public acknowledgement after having some time to gather his thoughts were,via #Twitter @mcretzman “Psalms 61:2, “when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” surgery for Lana at 7am to repair broken leg.” Wow! Such incredible faith! Where does it come from? Undoubtedly, it is the same faith in the same God that we all have access to, if we would just ask and seek for it. One of Matt’s life verse that he claims from Scripture is “Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3. It is pretty obvious that Matt is seeking God to answer and do great and might things.

Many have asked about how to help Matt and Lana. As I spoke with Matt earlier in the day about his needs and how to best help, his response was nothing but humble. “Just your prayers.” Matt says. As we continued in our conversation, I realized there were some great needs at hand. I realized there were great expenses at hand. The family does not have health insurance. The vehicle is leased through Baptist Missionary Transportation, which consequently does have insurance, but, nevertheless, he will require finances for another vehicle. The Cretzmans do not have insurance or adequate finances to cover funeral plans and arrangements for precious Azlynn.

After speaking thoroughly with Matt and then speaking to his sending church pastor, Pastor Kevin Folger, this is how God’s people can help:

1. Love gifts (CHECKS) can be sent to:
   Cleveland Baptist Church
   C/o Cretzman Benevolence Fund
   4431 Tiedeman Road
   Cleveland, OH 44144
   tel. (216) 671-2822
2. Love gifts (immediate access) via Paypal:

   http://cretzmanstocuba.com/get-involved/

Would you consider financially helping this special missionary? Would you continue to pray for them?

Cards and words of encouragement can be sent to them via email mcretzman@gmail.com or to the Cleveland Baptist Church C/o Matt & Lana Cretzman.