The day is beautiful and the usual birds are singing their songs in our neighborhood of foliage. And the sweet smell in the air draws me beyond nature to the powerful message of salvation we have in the LORD JESUS CHRIST. May his sacrifice and ultimate gift of LIFE be in my constant awareness, bringing me in humble thanksgiving for His gift of forgiveness and relationship with Him.
We read Mark's account this morning around the breakfast table and discussed some of the details of the events. Now Geoff and the boys are already down at the church structure setting up benches, meeting with the worship team and spiritually and logistically readying the place to receive those who will come to worship God who gave and gives His all for us, His beloved creation.
Today, however, Acacia and I will be staying at home. Seems the supposed 24-hour something or other she dealt with on Thursday, and we thought she was done with, is not completely finished wreaking havoc. We spent the better part of the night up and uncomfortable and she is now resting again after only being awake about an hour while everyone else got spiffied up for the Resurrection Day service.
Today, next door, while the above was taking place at our house, the neighbors--the Okoth family--were blessed to have a series of family photos taken for them by one of our staff members who wields an exquisite camera angle. A group of us intimately involved with the care, planning, and logistical management of Ketty's cancer management and treatment made a decision together to move her care to Nairobi. Some family photos together before they must spend many weeks apart were in order!
Being that the best advised treatment from experienced oncologists is concurrent chemo and radiation, and being that the only machine in Uganda has been down and it is uncertain when it will be repaired, we are transferring her to M.P. Shah hospital in Nairobi. Tomorrow the Okoth family will travel into Kampala together to spend the day with "mommy." They will have a nice lunch and a chance to see Aunt Ketty off to the bus. One of our nurses, Kimberly, will travel with Ketty and work out the details of accommodation and appointments during the first week or so of their time there. Hopefully, Uncle Okoth will be able to follow in time after getting the children settled with a family friend who will care for them here while mommy and daddy are both gone.
Please continue praying with us for this very dear family. We have been privileged to walk through the details of how to navigate Nairobi with a fellow missionary here at New Hope Uganda who grew up in the Nairobi area. She has been invaluable in giving us phone numbers, contacts, guest house names, reviews of the available medical establishments, etc.
For further detailed updates on Aunt Ketty you may visit Kimberly's blog. We made a decision to keep her as the "official" updater on this situation being that she will be in Nairobi with Aunt Ketty. Her blog address is http://www.choosingtoliveanundauntedlife.blogspot.com In addition, she will be periodically posting a blog on the New Hope Uganda website www.newhopeuganda.org
We have no way of knowing what to expect financially from this process until we get to Nairobi and get going with appointments and treatment. If you desire to donate, please do! I am sure we will need it along the way! You may visit the New Hope Uganda website for details on "The Ketty Okoth Cancer Fund" and how you may give.
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| Uncle Okoth and Aunt Ketty addressed the church a couple of weeks ago and shared their deep faith in God's hand for good in their lives. Their twins are shown with them here. Today, the church will be praying for them again as Ketty prepares to move her treatment to Nairobi. She will leave tomorrow evening with Aunt Kimberly on a bus to Nairobi. |
Blessings to you all.
Mary
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