FAMILY LIFE at Desert Springs - a place where we can share the heart of our church family; prayers, praises and important announcements.  Be sure to check-in often to see what is happening. If you have a prayer request or praise, please submit by contacting me, Laura Keener, Frontline Director at Desert Springs....760-568-3646 or lkeener@desertspringsfamily.org.

IN MEMORY OF COLONEL RICHARD ZUBER

Lois Zuber, a long time Desert Springs church member, informed us that her husband, Colonel Richard Zuber passed away peacefully in his sleep on Valentine's Day, February 14th.  Richard served our country as an Air Force Pilot and will be dearly missed.  Services are planned in San Diego.

   




 CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR  LAREIGN HODGES

On February 10th our sweet friend and sister in the Lord, LaReign Hodges, went home to her Savior. After years of battling cancer and severe health issues, she recently shared with her loving husband Tom that it was time for her to go to heaven.                                    
Tom was at her side every minute and was a wonderful caretaker, really beyond expectations. LaReign's children, grandchildren and friends will miss her dearly but we understand she is no longer suffering; she's in the arms of Jesus now, complete and whole.

Tom and their family would like to extend an invitation to all of her Desert Springs Church family to attend the Celebration of Life service on Saturday, April 9th at 10:00 am.   

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." Philippians 3:20-21

PRAISES: 43 Christians Released from Prison

Islamic State issued a statement on Monday, February 22 announcing the release of the remaining 43 Christians who had been taken hostage about a year ago from villages along the Khabour River in northeast Syria. The released Assyrian Christians were among a group of 230 abducted by IS during raids on 35 predominantly Assyrian villages in that region. All of those abducted in the raids have now been accounted for. Almost all have been released, many in recent months following negotiations by church representatives. A video released by Daesh in early October 2015 showed the execution of three Assyrian Christians, two of whom were from this group.

Please continue to pray for Christians from other places in Syria who were abducted during other incidents throughout the country. Pray that they too will soon be released and that, until that moment, they will put their trust in God. Pray that the Lord brings comfort to them in the places where they are being held captive. Pray also for restoration in the lives of all the Christians who have just been released.

"Father, week after week, we bring before You those who are suffering around the world from the impact of Islamic State militants. We plea for their comfort and strength and safety, committing them to Your faithful care. So, it is with great rejoicing today that we give thanks for the release of these 43 men and women who have been returned to their loved ones. We pray for their restoration, body and soul, from this trauma. Strengthen their faith, Lord, as they look back over this past year and see Your hand of comfort and provision; that they might have courage to meet the challenges of each new day and to share their testimony of Your faithfulness and power. We pray for their Muslim neighbors who also suffer the ravages of the Islamic State that many might turn from the darkness of Islam into the light of Christ. And, we continue to pray for the release of others who have been abducted. In the Name of Jesus, who sets the prisoners free from the ravages of the true enemy, Satan, Amen."
Source: Middle East Concern/Open Doors

PRAYING FOR OUR BROTHERS & SISTERS

Health, Wisdom, Strength

And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18

Carol Anderson
Leta Benefiel
Lucy Brooks
Robert Burgess
Janet Damron
Ginny Folkers - hand surgery
Betty Hyta  

Larry Largent - lung exrays
Annie Leonovich
Bill Lovell
Patty Marillo - praises - cancer free
Joan Rohm

Carol Smoke - continue to pray for energy
Barbara Storkersen
Andy Weigel - safety on mission trip in greater Middle East

Serena Williams - back pain severe