Many have heard by now, but last week the doctors found a low-grade tumor in my submandibular gland.
What was supposed to be a quick doctor's visit, turned into 5 hours of different tests and waiting rooms!
Praise God, they don't think it is cancerous, but surgery to remove the gland is necessary. Between phone calls to different missionaries, regional administrator and the ABWE physician, a decision was made to have the surgery done in Cape Town by a surgeon that comes highly recommended through another surgeon contact.
We've already seen God work in so many ways! Within 48 hours of realizing that I needed surgery, the desired surgeon had agreed to do the surgery and we had been offered a cottage by the sea to stay in. Within the next 48 hours, a missionary in Cape Town organized a car for us to use for the two weeks we are down there and is picking us up from the airport, Kyle is preaching in their church on Sunday (and presenting the Care Home) AND another missionary is taking care of the girls the day I have surgery. God is so good!
So, we will fly down there the 26th, pre-op appointment is the 29th, surgery is the 31st. We will fly back June 10th.
As it all comes together as only God can do, I wonder why I'm still so frustrated, frustrated about having to take these two weeks out of my life, frustrated with having to shut down the Care Home- yet again, frustrated with the fluctuations with my health! I'm still learning to rest in God's plans- not my own. This seems to be a lesson that I'm having a hard time learning :)
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
A FEW NEEDS
I wanted to mention a few needs that we have for the Care Home, in case anybody wants a way to get involved :)
10 water-proof pillow covers (standard size)
example at http://bedwettingstore.com/vinyl-waterproof-pillow-covers.html
just one or all 10 could be purchased
Peppermint tea- can be removed from box and packaged in a ziplock bag
A team of college students is coming over the end of June and would be able to carry these items over in a suitcase. If you would like to purchase either of these items, please contact me farranh@gmail.com and I will give you a US address to ship them to.
Thanks for considering this!
10 water-proof pillow covers (standard size)
example at http://bedwettingstore.com/vinyl-waterproof-pillow-covers.html
just one or all 10 could be purchased
Peppermint tea- can be removed from box and packaged in a ziplock bag
A team of college students is coming over the end of June and would be able to carry these items over in a suitcase. If you would like to purchase either of these items, please contact me farranh@gmail.com and I will give you a US address to ship them to.
Thanks for considering this!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
REJOICING
Change is what I've been praying for. Change in my heart and change in one of our patient's hearts (previous post).
God provided opportunity for me to serve and then the change began . . . . in both of us I think :)
Sunday morning I always check in on the Care Home and make the grocery list before heading to music practice. This time, I walked in to find her throwing up her morning breakfast and medications. I rushed into the middle of things to help the staff, holding the cup of water, helping clean things up, and rubbing her back until all had settled. Then quietly went on with the rest of my business.
Monday and Tuesday Kyle went in as normal to do the Bible studies. She was alert and pleasant. Wednesday, she was all smiles and even complimented him.
I came in Wednesday afternoon to do my normal routine. She was sitting up in bed watching me very closely. Then she started rattling off something that was too fast for me to understand, but looking directly at me. I asked one of the staff what she said. Thuli laughed a little then said, "She says she likes you . . . you aren't harsh. She says you are friends."
I almost couldn't hold back the tears (and maybe I shouldn't have). My heart was ready to explode.
My prayer is that the gospel that she hears everyday would speak even louder, now that "we are friends".
God provided opportunity for me to serve and then the change began . . . . in both of us I think :)
Sunday morning I always check in on the Care Home and make the grocery list before heading to music practice. This time, I walked in to find her throwing up her morning breakfast and medications. I rushed into the middle of things to help the staff, holding the cup of water, helping clean things up, and rubbing her back until all had settled. Then quietly went on with the rest of my business.
Monday and Tuesday Kyle went in as normal to do the Bible studies. She was alert and pleasant. Wednesday, she was all smiles and even complimented him.
I came in Wednesday afternoon to do my normal routine. She was sitting up in bed watching me very closely. Then she started rattling off something that was too fast for me to understand, but looking directly at me. I asked one of the staff what she said. Thuli laughed a little then said, "She says she likes you . . . you aren't harsh. She says you are friends."
I almost couldn't hold back the tears (and maybe I shouldn't have). My heart was ready to explode.
My prayer is that the gospel that she hears everyday would speak even louder, now that "we are friends".
Monday, April 30, 2012
TAKING PATIENTS HOME
The girls love helping with the ministry and today was Abby's turn to help with the transporting of patients. It was also the first day Kyle was able to use the stretcher he's been working on. It fits in the back of our car, has a detachable foot board and a metal frame with wheels fits on the bottom. Should be an incredible help!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
WHOM DO I SERVE?
This week was a reality check . . . difficult, humbling . . . . but, bringing joy in the end.
We admitted a very sick young lady. Very sick- with only a 6 year old to care for her at home.
We brought her in, fed her, got her cleaned up and in warm clothes, tucked into a comfy bed and got wounds cleaned and bandaged.
What was my thanks? She rolls her eyes at me and turns her head away every time I try to speak to her. She does the same to Kyle. (A dear Zulu friend confirmed my suspicions and said it was because of the color of my skin)
Bummer!
It was such a huge let down that I couldn't shake the feeling the whole week. I guess I was mad, frustrated that for some reason she didn't like me! How dare she not appreciate the care we are giving. What a waste of my time!
But, very quickly a few Bible verses came to mind . . . . I Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." When my work is done for the Lord, it is not in vain, even if she doesn't like me. We still have the opportunity to show her the love of Christ through our actions.
May God work in her life through our compassionate actions. May it truly change her life even if she doesn't let me way a word!
We admitted a very sick young lady. Very sick- with only a 6 year old to care for her at home.
We brought her in, fed her, got her cleaned up and in warm clothes, tucked into a comfy bed and got wounds cleaned and bandaged.
What was my thanks? She rolls her eyes at me and turns her head away every time I try to speak to her. She does the same to Kyle. (A dear Zulu friend confirmed my suspicions and said it was because of the color of my skin)
Bummer!
It was such a huge let down that I couldn't shake the feeling the whole week. I guess I was mad, frustrated that for some reason she didn't like me! How dare she not appreciate the care we are giving. What a waste of my time!
But, very quickly a few Bible verses came to mind . . . . I Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." When my work is done for the Lord, it is not in vain, even if she doesn't like me. We still have the opportunity to show her the love of Christ through our actions.
May God work in her life through our compassionate actions. May it truly change her life even if she doesn't let me way a word!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
TUESDAY
A typical day . . . well nothing is really typical, but this one is close :)
Up a little before 6am to exercise and spend some time in the Word.
Get the kids started with school at 7:30
Off to the grocery store with Natalie at 7:45 (Kyle is at home)
I get home, pick back up with the schooling and Kyle heads out to pick up a patient about 8:45
Kyle comes back at 10:30, I head into the Care Home at 11 to do the admission and check in with the other patients
Back to the house, then Kyle goes into the Care Home to do Bible study and chat with the new patient (and pick up some donations)- I fix lunch, keep school moving forward and sew some sheets for the Care Home
About 4:30pm, things slow down a bit :) Soup is simmering on the stove, the girls are outside playing and Kyle is catching up on emails.
Mondays and Wednesdays get a bit crazy with running the girls back and forth to rhythmic gymnastics and Bible study at our home in the evening.
Up a little before 6am to exercise and spend some time in the Word.
Get the kids started with school at 7:30
Off to the grocery store with Natalie at 7:45 (Kyle is at home)
I get home, pick back up with the schooling and Kyle heads out to pick up a patient about 8:45
Kyle comes back at 10:30, I head into the Care Home at 11 to do the admission and check in with the other patients
Back to the house, then Kyle goes into the Care Home to do Bible study and chat with the new patient (and pick up some donations)- I fix lunch, keep school moving forward and sew some sheets for the Care Home
About 4:30pm, things slow down a bit :) Soup is simmering on the stove, the girls are outside playing and Kyle is catching up on emails.
Mondays and Wednesdays get a bit crazy with running the girls back and forth to rhythmic gymnastics and Bible study at our home in the evening.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
FOOD
25 boxes of food stacked in our garage! Food that can be used at the Care Home, given to patients when they leave and handed out as need arises. What a blessing. It was provided through a ministry in Durban, South Africa.
Now . . . . we just have to figure out what all of it is . . . . the packaging is in a different language :)
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