Sunday, October 21, 2012

THOUGHTS FROM RECOVERY




It has been an interesting three weeks. I have experienced God in some new ways and I can’t say all of them have been enjoyable, but God has made His presence clear and powerful.  Three weeks ago marked about two months of suffering from what appeared to be a sore in my mouth.  As usual when I have some sort of ailment I commit it to prayer and try to relax in the knowledge of God’s goodness.  Well, after about six weeks the thing continued to give me pain and actually seemed to be increasing.  Mary agreed we would try a round of antibiotics, something I usually keep as a last resort.  Well a number of days later we saw no change which indicates no need for the antibiotics, but here in Africa could mean a number of other things.  Since eating was becoming difficult I thought ok I guess I can go to the Dr., again something I really choose only to do as a last resort.  

We took a day and went into Kampala to see the Dr. and take care of a little business while there.  Well, the Dr. was concerned that it did not appear to be a sore, but some sort of growth.  He referred me to a ear, nose and throat friend of his with the good news that he was available that day.  So we went across town and by 4:30 were in his office.  This Dr. too was a little concerned and said actually we needed to quickly take care of this things through surgery.  We booked the O.R. the next Wednesday.  WOW! what has this turned into?  Immediately the mind begins to run to all kind of nonsense, might this be cancer?  Do I have a real problem that has gone undetected for long?   The past few months have included a number of other people and family members facing cancer, car accidents, heart attack and even death.  The mortality we all face as we grow older was suddenly there before my face.  But amazingly I could feel the reassuring presence of my God encouraging me that “MY LIFE WAS IN HIS HANDS”.  We went home that evening and told the kids that I would be needing surgery and we should be praying.  I was not quick to tell many people around New Hope as generally people worry and besides God had encouraged me that my life was in His hands, thus no need to worry.

The surgery required me to go under anesthesia which I have never done, but again I had my word from God.  As I went under I could feel the peace of God and apparently the Dr. and nurses could see the same.  Upon waking, it was as if only a few seconds had passed, yet it was over four hours.  Even upon waking, the peace of God was overwhelming.  Later in the evening the Dr. gave us the news that the growth was not normal, but seemed to be made up of many hard strings or smaller growths spread throughout out the tonsil.  Something to worry about? But again he commented that it was obvious that I had something calming me through the whole process, what was it he asked.  A word from my God, My life was in His hands.  Now comes the next process of waiting, the biopsy would take one week.  That week was probably the hardest part of this whole process, the pain that I was experiencing was unbearable.  No matter what I did, sit up, lie down, sit still or walk around the pain was incredible and medicines didn’t seem to do anything to bring relief.  

In the nights I lacked sleep and they actually proved the greatest test of my faith.  And I must admit I failed the test.  In my lowest point one night after four nights without sleep and constant pain I found myself questioning God and what I was passing through.  If this was cancer how could I endure?  If this pain from the surgery was enough to finish me then how could I endure the long and painful struggle with anything worse?  But God’s amazing grace is enough to sustain us. Despite my lack of faith I found God speaking the same word to me, “YOUR LIFE IS IN MY HANDS”.  Just like the man with the epileptic son, Jesus heard his cry to help his unbelief God injected me again with His faith. As we passed the next few days the pain began to reduce and we continued to wait for the biopsy results.  

Friday we went into Kampala to meet the Dr. and receive the lab results from Kenya.  No cancer!  Praise God!  But the amazing thing is that as we received the news, I didn’t feel the immense relief that Mary and many others experienced.  Why? Because all along I knew my life was in His hands.  Whatever the outcome my encouragement wasn’t that I was going to live, but that He had my life and I was His.  What a greater security can we have in this life?  The reality is that most of us find our security in life and the things of this world.  Our fulfillment comes through earthly experiences not the knowledge of our maker and experiencing Him. Where is your faith?  In this life or in God’s plan for you?

We fight to do what we can to protect ourselves or our loved ones.  To prepare life to keep us happy and sustain us into our old age.  What can we really do?  Even in America where we say we have the best health care, life insurance, 401Ks, the best police force and the highest standard of living, life is still fragile.  We try our best to create security but in reality the only security any of us can have is in our Maker.  Riches, poverty, sickness or health.  Not even life or death can threaten that security.  And the last few weeks have been a testimony to me personally that all the days of my life, that which is most important is I remain in His hands.    





Friday, October 5, 2012

Up Early!!

Saturday morning and we’re up at 5ish. What is wrong with us?  Are we getting old?  Apparently that is not the issue as we find Toby also up!!!!! Craziness abounds. 

The kids are enjoying some EARLY Saturday morning POP TARTS!!!!! They were a gift from the 1st Alaska team and a welcome addition to the normal breakfast around here!!!!!
I deliberately set my first appointment at 10 a.m. so that I could sleep in! To no avail. 

5:55 a.m. and Geoff is already off to Kampala for pre-surgical lab work. Yes, surgery. Nothing major, just a tonsillectomy.  

Ok, not exactly the total truth, but no big deal--here’s the situation . . . A little over two months ago Acacia and I had a virus that caused some very painful mouth sores, but they cleared in about two weeks. As we neared the end of our bout with it Geoff began developing some. After three weeks his had still not run their course, but he had the outreach in Kapechorwa for a week. When he returned and they were increasingly  bothering him I thought maybe the virus now had some bacterial involvement, so I planned to put him on antibiotics. But, the process of convincing him of their merit took a week or so. Eventually I threw some good broad spectrum antibiotics at it--no response. He tried gargling with salt water which didn’t burn or hurt at all, hmmmmm.  So, off to the dr we went last Wednesday in which we experienced a total miracle!  After our visit with our primary care dr he referred us to an ENT and we were able to see him the same day within an hour of leaving the first dr’s office! I love the beauty of smooth transitions!!!!!

The ENT suggested a tonsillectomy and biopsy of a large encapsulated growth on Geoff’s right tonsil. Of course surgery means the usual pre-surgical labs, but the ENT office doesn’t have its own lab. When we finished in Kampala last Wednesday, offices were already closing. Sunday they are closed, Tuesday they will be closed for the Jubilee celebration of Ugandan’s 50 years of independence and on Monday Geoff has a number of commitments already laid out. Nothing will be open before 7 a.m. on Wednesday either (which is when we report to the hospital), which leaves only today to get the lab work completed. (On Friday I checked with a dr friend at our local Kiwoko hospital and found out that our lab here doesn’t perform the needed labs.)

Once the tonsils are out, the tissue for biopsy will be sent to South Africa and has a turn around time of about a week. 

Geoff and I will need to stay at a guesthouse on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The kids will be here at New Hope with friends.

Both of us are committing this, another of the varied and challenging experiences in life, to our God who is sovereign and GOOD. Praise HIm!!!!!We appreciate your prayers as well as we walk together as a family through the next couple of weeks.  







Thursday, October 4, 2012

Goodies!!!!!

Sam has now been a part of our household for more than a month. The kids are thoroughly enjoying having him and he is fitting in very well. He is quiet, but has learned to answer and speak up when spoken to. He has learned to say, “no, thank you” or “yes, please”  instead of “hmmmmm” He has come to understand that chores are a part of life, EVERYDAY, and that in the midst of responsibility there truly can be joy. He has filled our home with laughter and fun and has also been a great study buddy for Toby as they are in the same primary school class. 

Former staff members, John and Jenessa Biedler, are back for a month-long visit and carried with them some gifts from Sam’s sponsor family. He opened the back pack last night and as he unzipped compartments and dug down in to bring out goodies, his smiles just kept busting out and his laughter was contagious!  

If you’ve ever been far from home and received a surprise package full of thoughtful gifts, you know something of what we experience when packages arrive from the U.S. There is amazing power for joy in a small box arriving after weeks of travel. We have a tradition of waiting until after supper to sit together and open the parcel. It is like Christmas!! The kids ask every few moments ALL DAY LONG, “do we really have to wait until supper?” “Do I have to clean off the table first BEFORE we sit down to open or can we just get started?” “HOW MUCH LONGER???” 

Yesterday, we told the kids early in the day that Sam had received a package and that he would be opening it after supper. We asked them to not focus on themselves AT ALL, but to show their excitement for Sam, to be thankful for the blessing that had come to him and to rejoice for him. They did great. It was all about Sam, so much so that I think he was a bit embarrassed that all the attention was headed his way. But, what a fun night!!! He was truly, truly beside himself with joy and thankfulness!!!! 
stickers and a pencil bag full of school supplies!

He was soooooo excited about this crazy hoodie!!

He couldn't wait to try it on . . .


off they march to the mirror to see how it looks!!

What??? A watch???  !!!!! He has loved wearing Kevin's this past month and now he has one of his own!!!

HEY! Look at my new white t-shirt!! Perfect for wearing under my school uniform!