BRITTON CURRENT EVENTS

The Brittons have had some major changes to their schedule. We are not going home next month as we had planned.

Geoff has been dealing with stomach pains since early January and we have spent a great deal of time investigating why. Since February he has given blood and other substances to the medical community in an effort to narrow down the reason for not feeling up to par. The most recent test, an endoscopic ultrasound last Monday, revealed a very large ulcer in an unusual place in the stomach. Biopsies were taken and Friday we learned that the cause of the ulcer is “Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma.” This particular cancer, from what we can tell, has a very good prognosis with a favorable outcome and little chance of recurrence. The treatment might take six months and the recovery time a bit longer. We have our first appointment with the oncologist on the 24th of April. We will find out more then and can post more information in this space as we go along.

In all of this, we have kept the lines of communication open with Toby, Acacia and Kevin. Honestly, as a family our biggest hurdle is not the diagnosis or the treatment, our biggest hurdle it is NOT BEING ABLE TO GO HOME.

It was heart wrenching yesterday to tell our kids, Nabukeera and Sam, over the phone that we didn’t know when we could make it home. Sam just moved into our home last September and now we’ve “abandoned” him. Of course, we haven’t abandoned him in our hearts. The reality is we have no control over the big events as they are occurring, but our fear is that Sam will feel abandoned. Pray with us for our ability to let God do what He is doing and to trust that He has Sam’s heart and life firmly in His gentle, loving hands.

All of the recent changes upon us as a result of the diagnosis of cancer require adjustments to “our” plans. No changes to God’s plans, He is always in control, always Good, always Wonderful, always Right and Sovereign over the big picture. I have not struggled to accept the diagnosis, nor the required treatment. But, I have complained about not going home. “Funny” how we fail to see our sin. I didn’t realize until this morning that I was excusing myself from the sin of complaining and WHINING with the justification that I had great faith for the overall outcome. As if my faith in God for the big picture excused my inability to be thankful for not going home when I want to go home. Can you hear the “Waaaaaaaaa”? It’s pretty loud at times and NEEDS to be silenced by thankfulness. Yes, thankfulness. There are reasons to be thankful for this season of staying in the states rather than returning to Uganda. Today, I am starting to look for them and I know that, as I look, the adventure in thankfulness will yield great results. “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18. IN EVERYTHING--even when that means not going home.

Currently, we are in Orlando enjoying the very timely party that God had planned for us!!! We had this one on the schedule before we received the diagnosis, and we couldn't get an appointment with the oncologist until the 24th anyway, so we kept our trip to Orlando intact. So far, we've enjoyed Epcot and a personal tour of the Correct Craft boat factory. We were also graciously given an afternoon on the newest model Nautique wake boarding boat complete with wake boarding lessons for the kids. It was an awesome afternoon in the sunshine with great Christian people!!!! Thanks to Greg, Dusty and Aaron for some sweet wake boarding memories!!! Today we're off to the Magic Kingdom with thanksgiving in our hearts that we are part of God's Kingdom!!!!