I.Am.Weak.

This week in chapel we have had Rev. Kevin Smith speaking to us about The Lord's Prayer. I have heard the Lord's Prayer read several times, I've recited it myself, but I have to admit I have never intentionally dug into the Lord's Prayer and studied it.

Rev. Smith has been unpacking it in chapel and I have been both enormously encouraged and convicted by what he has been sharing. I thought I'd highlight a few of the major points that have been encouraging or convicting to me. 

1). Our Father. Simple phrase, but a phrase packed with meaning. Our Father. Those of us who are saved through Jesus Christ are God's children – adopted into His family! He is our Dad. I have an amazing Dad. One who loves me, cares for me, provides for me, and much more, but, as Rev. Smith said, no matter how great our earthly dad is our heavenly Dad is SO much more. He is the King of the universe! He loves us with an unfailing love. He cares for the sparrows, how much more does He care for us?! He provides in unimaginable ways. He is our Father! Rev. Smith pointed out how appropriate it is to begin a prayer like that. It shows us our relationship with God. He is our Father; we are His children. We are totally dependent on Him. Wow! Praise the Lord for His redeeming grace! 

2). Hallowed be Thy name. Hallowed literally means holy. Holy. God's name is holy, it is set apart. Rev. Smith pointed out that this is the only attribute of God listed three times in a row. You never hear, "God is love, love, love." or "God is true, true, true." And yet He is all those. Isaiah and Revelation both say God is holy, holy, holy. His very nature is holy! His love is holy, His power is holy, everything about Him is holy. 

And then came the convicting part. "Hallowed be Thy name." God's name is holy. His name is set apart. Yet, how many times do people, sometimes even Christians, use God's name – a holy, set apart name – in vain? I sat in my seat thinking, "Well, that's not me." And then Rev. Smith said, "We all have taken the Lord's name in vain at some point. We call ourselves Christians and yet, how often do we not live like it?" We bear the Lord's name and yet sometimes we are not living a holy life... not glorifying His holy name, taking His holy name in vain.  ... Ouch. 

3). The last thing was today at a luncheon with Rev. Smith. He was telling us about how the major prayer warriors in his church are the ones who realize they are weak. They are the ones who realize how dependent they are on Christ. He looked at us and told us that we are at the point in our lives where we think we can conquer anything, all we need to do is study more, or be active, or this and that. But he told us, "YOU. ARE. WEAK!" Our lives need to be consumed in prayer. We need to be so dependent on Christ so prayerful in everything that everything we do is done through prayer. It was a good reminder.

I am weak. He is strong. I am dependent on Him. Please God, help me to believe this. 

Japan

It's easy read the news, see what is happening, pray, put the news away, and forget. Sometimes the little things that happen in our lives seem a whole lot more important than something that is happening a world away. But, as we were reminded yesterday to continue in prayer for Japan, I also want to remind you all to keep praying for Japan.

It's been a week since the earthquake and tsunami and the Japanese are still hurting – whether through the death of friends, the destruction of homes, or the fear of nuclear plants melting down. Remember to continue in prayer for Japan.

A Good Reminder

Damarise and I were sitting in Starbucks. Studying is what we claimed we were doing, but in reality we were just spending time with each other doing homework amidst the giggling and talking. We were sitting at a table with our laptops out in front of us when we looked up and saw a familiar face.

One of the Resident Directors at Covenant College walked over to the counter to order her drink. She then came over and said hello to Damarise and me. We introduced ourselves and as we talked she mentioned that she heard our family had just moved to Africa. She continued to say that she'd been praying for Damarise and me the night before and would continue to pray for us.

Wow. It's during times like this that I realize just how powerful the body of Christ is. Even though this person had never met us, and didn't know our family, she was praying for us and our family during this new time of our lives. She was praying to the God of peace and comfort.

And right then, sitting in Starbucks, having a "stranger" come up to us just to say she was praying for us, that was immensely comforting.

We hadn't heard from the family yet since their flight took off from Atlanta. And I was beginning to feel anxious not knowing whether or not they made it to Africa safely. But this was yet another reminder that God is in control, and everything is in His hands. How awesome it is to pray to and trust in the God who leads, provides, and cares.

Thank you to all of you who have come around our family during this time. Whether through prayers, encouragement, or even the offer of meals, places to stay for the summer, or just someone to talk to. It has been a huge blessing, and has meant so much to me. I am so thankful for the family of believers God has placed in my life.

(Also, in case you were wondering, we did hear from the family this morning, and they are safely in South Africa.)

O Be With Them

"Friends, and home, and all forsaking,

Lord they go at Thy command,

As their stay Thy promise taking,

While they traverse sea and land:

O be with them; O be with them;

Lead them safely by the hand.

O be with them; O be with them;

Lead them safely by the hand."

The church continued to sing as I looked up from my copy of the hymn. I looked to my right and saw my family sitting up against the side wall. Andrew, Ian, Dad, Mom, and Sarah. They sat there, some singing along with the church, others trying to hold back the tears.

The church was singing this hymn as a way to send them off to Zambia. For the past nine years every church we have attended has, at some point, sent us off to the next place God has for us. Only this time the sending off was slightly different.

I looked to my left and saw Damarise. We were both feeling the same way. Neither of us were singing but rather listening to the words while trying to hold back the flow of tears that threatened to come. It was the first time in nine years that Damarise and I weren't being sent off with the family. We were on the opposite end of the spectrum, the end doing the action, not receiving it.

I looked around at the rest of the faces singing. Our church family. They loved us, prayed for us, and encouraged us. These were the people sending Dad, Mom, Sarah, Ian, and Andrew out with prayers.

I joined in on the last verse. My eyes watery and my voice hardly audible.

"There to reap in joy forever,

Fruit that grows from seed here sown;

There to be with Him, who never

Ceases to preserve His own;

And with gladness, and with gladness,

Give the praise to Him alone.

And with gladness, and with gladness,

Give the praise to Him alone."

"And with gladness." Right then, sitting in the metal folding chair looking at my family, sorrow seemed a more eminent emotion. "And with gladness, give the praise to Him alone." Gladness? My family is moving an ocean away, how could gladness be felt right now?

The church ended the service in prayer for our family. And as the prayers poured out to God, I realized there was reason for gladness.

God has blessed me with an amazing family. This weekend was a strong reminder of that. We love each other, we laugh with each other, and we enjoy being with each other. There are not too many families who are blessed with that. And, on top of that, my family follows the Lord no matter where He chooses to lead them.

As people continued to pray, I was reminded of God's faithfulness to our family. He has led us every step of the way. He led us away from Arkansas into the life of missions nine years ago, and He has been faithfully leading every step of the way. He saved Ian's life, and protected all of us multiple times. He was with us through the rough times, and through the times where life was grand. Always, always, God is faithful.

The prayers ended, and with gladness I gave the praise to God alone.

I thank God that He has chosen my family to serve Him in Zambia. I'm thankful that they listen to His direction and follow Him no matter where it takes them. I'm thankful that even though we may be separated by miles of ocean and land, nothing can ever separate us from the love of Christ and the unity we have in Him. I'm thankful that even though most of my family will be in Zambia, God has blessed me with my wonderful older sister, Damarise, and with wonderful brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Even though the tears did flow, and the goodbyes still hurt, God was, is, and always will be faithful. And what a wondrous promise that is to hold onto.

Great are You Lord!

Great is the Lord and worthy of all praise and glory! He and He alone deserves it! God is good!! Wow, there is so much to tell I'm not sure where to start. I guess I'll start at the very beginning... a very good place to start :) 

Before I start though, I want to warn everyone that this is an extremely long update. More like an epistle, sorry, there is just SO much to tell. I'm telling the story from my point of view, so I may be getting details wrong, or skipping medical stuff that happened to Ian. Sorry. Ok, here's the story... and can I just say that we serve an AWESOME God!!! That is the whole point of this story, that God is awesome and worthy of everything. 

I'm gunna go way back to January 5th... 13 days before Ian went to the clinic. January 5th, a Monday, I had heard that College of the Ozarks was going to be calling Damarise and I to have a phone interview with us. I was freaked out, and wrote about it in my diary and just thought I'd share what I wrote with you. 

"It is so neat to look back on the past eight years of my life... it's... encouraging :) Damarise and I got an email from CofO (College of the Ozarks) to have an interview over the phone with them. A what?! With who?! On what?! I wouldn't be lying when I say I'm exceedingly nervous! And this is where looking over the past eight years comes in. As I pulled out my diary to write tonight, I started flipping through the pages reading about different fears I had and laying them before the God. Within the next few pages God had calmed my fears. I was nervous about Mozambique but God dissipated my fears and filled me with  peace. And now, so many things stand unknown, I do know that God is faithful and He has my days planned out. I just need to trust in Him. Oh Lord God, Creator of universe, sovereign and holy King, Ruler and Redeemer of my life, thank you. Thank you that You are the God of the Bible. Thank you that You keep Your promises. That you that You are faithful. Thank you for the countless ways You have provided and guided us. Dear Lord, thank you for the assurance that You will lead us. You know what it is Damarise and I are facing: interviews, college decisions, and finances. Dear Lord, thank you that we can trust in You to work everything out according to Your good, pleasing and perfect will. Amen!"

Little did I know that the struggles that lay ahead were more than a phone interview. The phone interview was Friday and went very well, Thank you Lord! Saturday came and went like any ol' day, and then came Sunday. Our second year Woodbull anniversary! The gift of family is SO great!!! (Thank you God!) Anyways, we had made big plans for our second year celebration, but they sorta got muffed up. Sunday morning around 5am Ian began to hallucinate. (He'd had cerebral malaria for the past 4 days) Mom came in to check on him and he yelled at her to watch out for the mine. (huh?) That's when Mom went to go get Dad. They decided to take Ian to the clinic down the street. The last thing Ian remembers in being brought out to the car by Dad. Sunday was a long day. I woke up around 6:30ish and saw Damarise holding her cellphone in her hand. "Aw, man" I thought, "she wished the Woodrows a happy two year anniversary before me." Well, I picked up her cellphone to see the messages and saw one that Bethy had sent to Damarise that morning. She said that they were praying for Ian and were so sad to hear he had to go down to the clinic. WHAT?! I woke up Damarise and asked her what in the world was going on. That's when she told me everything that was going on with Ian. He was in the clinic with IVs hooked up to him and malaria meds going into him. Uncle Charles (Dr. Woodrow) was at the clinic with Mom and Dad and Ian and was checking Ian out. Damarise, Sarah and I got dressed and ate breakfast and went down to the clinic to see Ian. It was terrible. He was in and out of it and moaning in pain. It was sad to see. We four went back up to the house to have some church time and read Psalm 46. It was so encouraging. The Lord is our refuge and strength an ever present help in trouble. We prayed for Ian and then text the Woodrow's and asked them if they wanted to come to the clinic to visit Ian. The Woodrow kids came over after church to visit Ian. Ian was sleeping, so they didn't get to say anything to him. It was nice of them to come by though! They left and we four went back up to the house. Mrs. LePoidevin brought some food over for Mom. So sweet of her! Around 3pm Dad came back up to the house to rest until 8pm and then he and Mom would switch places. They never got that far. Around 5pm Dad went back to the clinic and Ms. Tricia called us four a while later. Ian had gone downhill and would have to be medevacced. Excuse me?! He only had malaria, Damarise and I have had cerebral malaria and it never got that bad. What was going on? ... Apparently he had started puking and excreting blood, was in a coma and the Drs. weren't sure if his kidneys were functioning properly. A little while later Zoe and Gracie came by the house. They came in and gave us a hug and told us they were praying. Oh thank you God for the body of Christ. By this time we had sent out an update about Ian and lots of people everywhere were praying for him. ... Around 8:30ish Dad called and said Ian was not doing well and we really needed to pray. He also wanted Damarise to call Grandma and tell her how bad it was. We were all bawling up at the house and crying out to God. We comforted each other the best we could and read some encouraging verses and prayed a lot. The Woodrows text us and said they were praying and sent some encouraging verses. Dad came up to the house a little while later with Ms. Tricia to get the stuff we had packed for Ian and him to go on the flight. Dad then prayed with us. He got a couple words out and then we all started crying. It was so hard to see how it was affecting Dad. If it was hard on Dad we knew Ian must be in bad shape. By then Mr. LePoidevin and some other people were organizing stuff for the Medevac flight. Insurance, times, everything. What a HUGE help! Around 9:30pm we four went down to the clinic to be with Mom, Dad and Ian. Uncle Charles was down there with Ian. And Ms. Tricia and Steven were in the waiting room just being there for Mom and Dad. Whether it be for praying with them, texting us, running errands, or organizing stuff for the medevac flight. They welcomed us into the waiting room and just sat with us. Then the Woodrows text and asked if we wanted them to come by to be with us. Oh yes! SO nice! By 10pm, the Woodrows came by. It was so nice to have other family members to lean on during that time. Thank you God for the gift of family! What a way to appreciate each other on our second year Woodbull anniversary. :P They greeted us with a hug :) So nice! Hugs are comforting! After standing outside the clinic with the Woodrows for a while we went over to the LePoidevins, they had offered that if we wanted to crash close to the clinic (their house is right across from it) we could crash at their house. We walked over to their house and Thomas greeted us with a hug. The LePoidevins let us make ourselves at home and then we all prayed together. It was so nice to be surrounded by a family of believers! We prayed and then Thomas, Kent and some others shared some verses and we all sang songs. We pulled an allnighter that night. Damarise would run back and forth between the clinic and the LePoidevin's house to let us know how Ian was. Every time Damarise would come back with an update we would all pray together for Ian. It was so encouraging to be surrounded by people loving us, comforting us, encouraging us, and praying with us. The body of Christ is an amazing thing! At 4:33am the Medevac plane pulled into Nampula. Mr. LP (LePoidevin) picked the doctors up from the plane and drove them to the clinic. The doctors took a long time to stabilize Ian. We went up to the clinic around 6:30am to see how Ian was. It was terrible. All we could hear was Ian moaning and screaming in pain. It was really hard to sit in the waiting room and listen to him. We all sat there and prayed for Ian and then went back outside. At about 8am the doctors got Ian stabilized and took him to the airport. We filed out of the LP's house and as we walked out we looked up at the clinic and saw Mom, Dad, Uncle Charles (Dr. Woodrow, who stayed there the whole night with Ian), Ms. Tricia (who also spent the night there with them), and then most of the men from the VI (our mission) filed out behind Mom and Dad. It was.... wow... really special. It was so amazing to see the body of Christ coming together in a hard time like that and surrounding Mom and Dad in love, prayer and encouragement. Ms. Tricia drove Mom, Dad, and the rest of us kids to the airport. We got there and walked out onto the tarmac as Ian was being unloaded from the ambulance. Mr. LP was there and Kris Klebs as well. Mr. LP (a missionary pilot) had gone to the airport earlier to make sure the police and other airport personnel were all awake, Kris Klebs went with. Anyways, we all stood around as Ian was being pulled out of the ambulance. He was covered in tubes and wires. It was so hard to look at. Andrew started crying as he saw Ian and the rest of us were ready to start a flood of tears. We kissed Ian goodbye, unsure if we were ever going to see him again, and if we did, if he would be the same Ian as before. We were trusting in the Lord and resting in the peace that only He can offer. Ian got loaded up into the plane and Dad followed behind him, after hugging us goodbye. We stepped back on the tarmac and watched as the plane took off. 

That Monday was hard. Ms. Tricia drove us home and prayed with us on the way home. She explained to our workers everything that was going on, and then left us at home. Some of us rested and some of us tried to stay awake. Mom talked to family members and was trying to see if she should go down to South Africa. Ms. Sharon kindly made up a meal schedule for us. Mr. Stefan brought us a meal that night. A little while after we were done with dinner, Dad called. When Mom got off the phone with Dad she called us all together and told us that Ian had jaundice and they weren't sure if he was going to make it. :( A sad face doesn't come close to explaining the pain that was seeping into even the tiniest crevasses in our hearts. Have you ever heard the sound of someone scraping their fingernails down a chalkboard? If you have, then you must know that tingling sensation that climbs up your spine. This was far worse. This climbed up our spine, twisted our stomachs in knots and made our hearts feel like they were a 20 ton weight. But even through those terrible moments there was a peace that was unlike anything else. The peace that God had enveloped us in. His peace. It was greater than the fear and sadness and we were all resting and trusting in God and the peace that He gave. After we prayed together as a family, Mom told us to pack our bags because we would be flying to South Africa as soon as we could. Ms. Tricia came by that night to help us find a flight. Dad called later and said that the jaundice was not a sign of liver failure and Ian would be ok... at least in that sense. Ms. Trica helped us get a flight for Mom set up and early Tuesday morning Mr. Stefan went and picked up Mom's plane ticket Tuesday morning. Mom left Tuesday afternoon for South Africa.

As for us.... the rollercoaster ride of emotions was just going to begin on our end. We packed up most of Tuesday and the Rogers had us over for lunch. So helpful. That night after youth group the Woodrows took us home with them. I cannot thank them enough for opening their house to us :) They were such a comfort to all of us during that time! Every morning we would read an encouraging Psalm and (it was really neat) their hymn of the month that they were learning was, "Have Thine Own Way Lord" Wow! Amen! That was our prayer, that God would have His way in all of this. ...Tuesday night when we got home from Youth Group, Dad text and said something about Ian. We thought it was a good thing, until Uncle Charles said otherwise. We all got together and prayed. Wednesday morning, we got a text saying that Ian had been in a coma for over 36 hours and still had not woken up. The Woodrows and we kids gathered together in their parent's bedroom and began to pray. About half way through everyone praying we all started crying, it was so nice to be together to comfort each other and also to be reminded by everyone there that God is in control! Amen! ...Wednesday afternoon, Ms. Tricia picked us up to go to the house to send out emails, while there she told Damarise that Mom and Dad were pretty sure Ian was not going to wake up from the coma, and if he did he would most likely have major brain damage. Damarise told me when we got home and it was so hard to hear news like that about my little brother. I don't think I have ever prayed so hard for anything in my life. But I was praying hard that God would heal Ian. By 10ish that night Ian had moved his leg! Oh thank you Lord! We were SO excited! And blown away by God's answer to prayer!!! By Thursday morning Ian had woken up and nodded in response to questions! WOW!!! We were in AWE of God!!! God... the creator of the heavens and earth, the ruler of all mankind and the master of everything not only hears the prayers of us but answers them as well. OH How great is the Lord and worthy of glory!! ... Uncle Charles said that he was SO surprised to hear news like that about Ian, because he thought for sure that there was no way he would be coming out of the coma. Wow! What else could it be but a miracle from God! Oh praise Him!!! 
By Thursday afternoon Ian had talked!!! And on Sunday we got to call him and talk to him!!!! Mom and Dad said that he said more words to us in the conversation than he had said to them during the whole time he had been awake. They also said he showed emotion when he talked to us, which he hadn't done before. After talking with Ian, Mom and Dad said that they thought we would help Ian improve. They still did not know how Ian's brain was. They told us to pack up everything we would want to bring back to the States, because it was likely that Ian would have to be in rehab in South Africa for months and we would just bring our stuff from Nampula this trip and then head off to the States. We were in shock. Leave Nampula for good... and so soon. We had been planning on being in Nampula for at least three more months. But to all of a sudden leave? That night Kent, Damarise, Bethy, Andrew W., Sarah, Gracie, and I gathered on the Woodrow's veranda and prayed that Ian would heal up and that we could come back to Nampula. We were all in tears by the end of the prayer. We sat there and reminisced about all the fun things we'd done as Woodbulls and said how much we would miss each other. We talked about plans for the future and went to bed that night with saddened hearts. Monday morning, Uncle Charles drove us to our house to pack up and Bethy and Gracie came over to help. It was so sad to go through everything and basically pack up our room (it looks really bare now!) Around 1ish Mom and Dad text and said that Ian was walking, eating, and joking! I cannot even begin to explain the weight that was lifted off of all of our hearts! It was so relieving and we were all praising God! Only He could have done something so extraordinary!!! We then found out that we would be coming back to Nampula after all! :D Thank you God! 

Thursday morning we started our journey to South Africa and heard that Ian was out of the hospital... I'll save that for another post though... but I have more to say before I close, sorry. 

God taught me SO much during this time. He taught me that He IS the rock and fortress and shelter in times of distress. He is an ever present help in trouble. He also showed me that we are pathetic. We are so weak and useless on our own. It's God that gives us good health and keeps us alive. We are nothing without Him! Going through this also strengthened my faith in God. It reassured me that God is a God who keeps His promises! Like, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Throughout the whole ordeal with Ian there was always a peace amidst the pain. God kept showing me and all of us that He was in control in so many ways and it was amazing to see and be a part of. It was also really neat to see the body of Christ at work. We were surrounded by SO many people all over the world praying for Ian and us. I have never seen anything like it! I was getting emails from people I didn't even know saying that they had heard of Ian and were starting the prayer wave. They were in places I've never even been to! Wow! Then here in Nampula the missionary community just covered us in love and prayers. People brought meals by for us, let us live with them for weeks, prayed with us, called us, hugged us, and sent out emails to all of their supporters asking for prayer for Ian. WOW!!! And PRAISE BE TO GOD and HIM ALONE! He heard our cries, even though we are so tiny and so unworthy of anything and He worked it out to His glory and healed Ian. And I am SO in awe of God and SO thankful for everything He has done! THANK YOU GOD!!!!!

WONDERFUL update on Ian!!!

Ian did really well today. He walked!!! :D And the Drs said he is doing lots better! :) We four kids here are going down to South Africa to be with Ian, Mom and Dad on Wednesday or Thursday I think. We may be down there for about a month at the most. Thank you EVERYONE for your prayers!!! God is SO good and has answered all the prayers in an amazing way!!! I'll have to write about everything later when I have more time, but for now all I can say is God is good!!! Thank you Lord! I'll definitely update you all later when I have time, until then, please pray for safety for our trip and for complete healing for Ian. God is good! 

Ian Update

We got a text from Dad this morning asking for prayer. Dad said, "We read Psalm 66. Still no sign of brain response after 24 hours (more now... he text at around 8:30ish our time) without sedatives." Now at 4ish we just got a text saying, "CT scan showed brain is structurally normal. Unfortunately, damage from extended period of below critical blood pressure or from malaria gunk build up would not show up." Ian is still in a coma and we are waiting to see how he is. We know that God is the all powerful God and that nothing is too difficult for Him. We continue to pray for God's healing for Ian. Thank you again for all the prayers, love and encouragement you guys have been showering us in!!

Update: From Aunt Janiece

This is an update from my Aunt (Dad's younger sister) who talked to Dad earlier this morning. She said everything that was going on really well, so I just pasted her email in here. Sorry it's rather long. 

"Hi all, i just spoke with Ken. It is about 5 am there now. i texted him at about 1 am his time and asked him to text me when he could and i would call him back. he texted me at about 3 am or so when he woke up and we just got off the phone. Ian is still stable. Ken said that to look at him you would never think things were going well, his whole body and his eyes are yellow, and he has a bunch of tubes in him and they have him heavily sedated and still on a respirator. he said that there are about 8 huge syringe-like things hanging from the walls that are feeding different things into his body. on top of that, he said they come in regularly and do manual pushes of different things into his IV. there is a big drafting-type table in the room with a huge chart on it that they keep recording things on and studying constantly to determine what to do next. he said that there is a clear system to what they are doing and they all are very effecient and expert at it. they have given Ken nothing but hope. he said they are very matter of fact about telling him that this is the normal process and everything is proceding just as they want it to and expect it to. they tell him that Ian's body is being cleaned up and even tho the values still look bad, they are supposed to look exactly as they do, and they will change and improve. the physician's name is Dr. Barten (not sure of the spelling and don't know the first name). he is an expert in pediatric brain damage. he is on the pediatric ICU full-time (he doesn't leave to go to other units) and he tells Ken that Ian will open his eyes in a day or two, be talking a day or two after that, and will walk out of the hospital in a week or two. i guess he sees or anticipates Ken's skepticism, so he keeps telling him stories about this kid and that kid who were worse than Ian and they recovered fully. Ken said he is very confident and matter of fact about it. he also said that this dr is very passionate about his work and he is all over Ian. he feels that Ian is in amazingly capable hands. the nurses are very good too, and they are also very kind to Ken when they have to keep asking him to move out of their way :) they gave him a spot at the corner of the bed where he can have his hand on Ian's foot and be out their way, but he still gravitates up towards Ian's head eventually. The process is still unfolding though, so the concern is that something could go wrong, change for the worst, or go off course for some reason, but so far that it is not happening and things are progressing in the right direction. he asked this doc how many cases of cerebral malaria he sees and he said 2 or 3 a year. this concerned Ken at first but Dr Barten mentioned that he is consulting with a malaria specialist about Ian's treatment. The dr on the medi-vac team arranged for Ian to be brought to this hospital specifically so that this particular dr would be managing his treatment. he said there is no one better for Ian's situation. right now, all the fluids and Ian's immune system are focused on cleaning up all the dead cells and debris in Ian's body. i can say from what i know that his brain won't (and shouldn't) come up until his body is stable. the dr said that the same clean up that is actively happening in his body is also happening in his brain. Ken was a little disturbed that Ian's eyes were partially open but his eyes were not moving. i'm sure that looks scary. I told him that the brain shuts down in stages and comes up in stages, and that right now all the oxygen in his brain is going to the lower level functions and not the higher level functions. his brain will focus on the lower brain vital functions first (breathing, kidneys, etc.), and then the vital sensory-motor connections next (reacting reflexively to sensory stimuli like light and pain), but, his brain will not waste one ounce of energy on higher level things like comprehension (on the input end) or with intention (on the output end). his eyes are not moving because his brain does not care right now about understanding the visual world or about looking around to see what's going on in the world. when the brain gets the all clear, is told that the body is stable and that there is now energy to spare, then some of those oxygen resources will start getting channeled out to the higher level brain functions again, and Ian will wake up. it will be slow and stiff at first, the sensory-motor connections to the higher levels may take some time to get up and running, but his brain will adapt and grow new connections where it needs to when the time is right. it just won't deal with that until the brain is ready to engage with the world again. so it is not a bad sign that he is still in a coma. like the dr told him, his body is doing exactly what it should be doing right now, brain included."

Thank you again for your continued prayers. Mom just left for South Africa. She should arrive there around 6ish tonight. Please keep praying for complete healing for Ian and for Mom and Dad as they are down there watching Ian go through this. It can't be easy. Thank you!!! We serve an all-powerful and awesome Physician and He can do anything! It's so great that we can put our trust in Him and rely on Him to work things out according to His will. 

Update on the sicky...

Thank you Lord for good news! We have been through so many ups and downs throughout the last two days. Everywhere from "Ian is improving." to "Ian may be dying.". It has been rough to say the least, but so encouraging to know that God is God! And He is in control of everything!! Everything!! Tonight we got word that Ian had jaundice. We thought it may be because of liver failure. We packed up our bags and got ready to fly out tomorrow. About an hour later Dad called and said the results of Ian's liver tests came back and they were good. Oh thank you God!!! So what's with the jaundice? Well, the jaundice is because... (I may get some of this wrong but I hope you get the gist) the malaria kills all your blood cells and the liver produces blood cells, but because the liver is producing so many blood cells trying to refill his body, there is a "traffic jam". Which caused the jaundice. The Dr. said that everything is looking how he expected and that there have been a LOT worse cases of malaria than what Ian has and they have all walked out of the clinic with no problems! Oh thank you GOD!!!!! Right now Ian is hooked up to tons of machines and whatnot. He is on a respirator, has a catheter, and loads of tubes sticking in and out of him giving him all kinds of fluids and meds. As for us here, right now it looks like just Mom may fly down if Ian keeps improving. Us kids will stay with our other family the Woodrows :) Thank You Lord for Ian's improvement, the wisdom that You gave the Doctors treating him, and for the love and support of friends world wide. Thank you for your love and power!!!!

Here's some pictures from today:

Sunday night and all Monday morning (we pulled an all nighter... the first one I've ever done) we crashed at the LePoidevins. They live directly across from the clinic and generously opened their home to us. Us kids stayed there and the Woodrow kids (except Benaiah) came to stay with us! It was so nice to be there with Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. LP, Kent, Bethy, Gracie, and Andrew. They were all a huge encouragement to us four and prayed with us, sang, shared verses and gave hugs :) Thank you!!! After a long night, we waited for Ian to be moved to the airplane. The Drs. first had to stabilize Ian. It took them a while.

This is the group of amazing encouraging teens who took us under their wings and comforted us all night long. Kent, Damarise and lil' Andrew are missing from this pic. 

The clinic where Ian was at. 

Around 7:30am they got Ian stabilized and the ambulance drove him to the airport. We got to go onto the tarmac and watch them unload Ian. (we also got to touch the wing of an airplane :) ) 

They unloaded Ian and I was not expecting him to look like that. He was covered in wires and tubes :( It was really hard for all of us to see him like that. Especially Andrew. Please pray for Andrew as it is really really hard on him to see Ian (his big strong older brother) so sick. Thank you!

They loaded him up into the airplane. (and the pilots were all saying how light he was and it was so much easier to lift that the 300lb. person last time :P) 

And away they went. 

Thank you everyone for your prayers, love, emails, encouragement, and everything else that you have showered us in these last few days! It is only because of God's grace that we've made it through these days. Thank you everyone for your prayers!!!

Please continue to pray!

We just heard that Ian has jaundice. My mind is all a fuzzled. Ian is in South Africa with Dad. They flew out this morning on an emergency flight. We are looking at flying out tomorrow to go be with Ian. This is really taking its toll on all of us. We are trusting in the all-knowing, all-powerful God. He is able to heal Ian. Please keep praying. And THANK YOU!

UPDATE: Ian

It was an all nighter. The Lep's graciously allowed us to hang out at their place. While Mom, Dad, Ian, Ms. Tricia and Kris were at the clinic. It was a long night and I didn't sleep a wink. The Dr.s from South Africa just got here and they should be transferring Ian to South Africa in about an hour. Dad is going with him. Ian was screaming in pain just a few minutes ago when we were at the clinic. It is REALLY hard to see him like this. Uncle Charles (a Dr. here) said that Ian's kidneys look to be clearing up and the rest of him too, but his brain he still isn't sure about. He is in a mini coma right now. PLEAEE CONTINUE TO PRAY! And THANK YOU!!!

Ian Update... Please pray!!

Ian is going to South Africa. Mom and Dad just said that he has a flight coming up to take him dow there. Please pray for safe travels. It is pouring rain here right now. Mr. Lep (a MAF pilot here) said that the Medical plane goes really fast... so it would take him about 2 hours to get to South Africa. :) Yeah! As of now, Ian is still in the clinic and in a lot of pain. The Drs. had to put a cathadar (sp?) in him because his kidneys weren't letting out any fluids. He couldn't have pain killers for that though because the Drs. needed him to be awake to make sure his brain was still functioning. It's really tough to see him in so much pain. Please keep praying for him! We are blessed to have the missionary community here. They have taken us under their wings and showered us immensley in love, prayers and comfort. Thank you for your prayers!!

Please, Please Pray!

Ian has gotten worse. He's now puked up blood twice. The Dr.s think that something is wrong with his kidneys (kindey failure is a sign of malaria going way too far). Right now Ian is out of it, but when the Dr.s push on his stomach he is in pain! It is so sad and really really hard to see him like this. :'( The doctors do not have the stuff to treat him at the clinic so they are sending him to the central hospital. Dad and Mom are booking an emergency flight to South Africa incase they need to evacuate him. This is taking it's toll on all of us. It is really really hard for us to see Ian going through something like this. Please pray for healing for Ian!!!!!!

Update: Ian with Malaria

Ian is spending the night at the clinic. Dad just came up from a long day down there with him. Ian is still on quinine (the malaria meds) and sugars and salts. He isn't eating or drinking anything :( The Drs. want Ian to stay over night to make sure his kidneys are functioning properly. Please pray for Ian's healing, and for peace and comfort for Mom and Dad. Right now they are taking turns sleeping here and staying at the clinic with Ian. We are SO thankful for all of you praying!!! God is the great Physician and we are putting all our trust in Him!

PLEASE PRAY!!!

Ian is in the clinic right now. (the clinic is better than the hospital). WOAH! What?! I know that was my first response. I just found out. PLEASE PRAY!!! I guess the malaria meds weren't working and we was too weak to stand up (he has been pukeing up the malaria meds since yesterday and we've been trying to get them to stay down.) He is now in the clinic... which is more like a hospital with IVs in him giving him salts and sugars and quinine (sp?) a malaria treatment. The Drs. said that about half is blood is gone. The effects of the malaria, which means that it has gotten really far. Please pray!!! We know the Great Physician can heal anything! Thank you!

Update:

Damarise, Sarah, Andrew and I just got back from visiting Ian. The Drs. have given him something to dull the pain and Ian is in and out of it all the time. It's really sad to see him so weak and sick :( The Drs. also said that Ian's blood count which is supposed to be at 400 at the highest or 150 at the lowest was at 65! WOAH!!! I'm not sure what that means but it sounds really bad! They have him hooked up to all kinds of stuff. Dad said that Ian would be at the clinic most of today (Sunday) Please keep praying for him!! And for Mom and Dad too... they haven't been getting much sleep since all this began Thursday so I'm sure they are completely warn out. THANK YOU!

He is Wiser!

"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'"

Before we left for our trip to Malawi, we got an email from the Bergmans.  We met the Bergmans in Canada at NTMC when we did our training there. (When we met them they only had one girl. Now they have 3 lil' kids all 4 and under.)  They came back from Brazil a couple months ago and were on their way to Mozambique at the end of September. God had different plans. Mrs. Bergman had been having headaches for a while, so, before they came here, she went to see the doctor. He diagnosed her with a brain tumor the size of an orange. The doctors did surgery and got out 90% of the tumor. Everything seemed to be going better until the day we left for our trip. We got an email saying that the doctors said that the tumor was malignant and they gave her 1 to 2 years to live. We were shocked. And who wouldn't be? 

I'm pretty sure my first thought was, "Woah! Why?"  That's when these verses came about. God knew what I needed to hear.  We don't control what happens. God has His plan and it is perfect. He knows what He is doing! And, after all, who are we to question what His plan is? Isn't He the One Who created us and made the universe?! If He did all of that why do we think He doesn't know what He is doing now. 

Well, that was a real slap in the face for me. I need to trust God and His infinite wisdom. His thoughts and ways are so much higher and better and wiser than mine ever could be and He has a plan for all of this, so that He is the One glorified. 

Please pray for the Bergman family when you think of it! I know they would appreciate your prayers for them! I can't imagine what they must be going through. Pray that God's Will will be done. 

Toodles!

We are leaving tomorrow! It was very short notice! We were planning on leaving Thursday, but plans got changed. So tomorrow we hit the road! Please pray for us! That we have safe travels, find the right roads, and get there safely.

Also please pray for Damarise and I on October 4th! We will be taking the SAT and I'm, again, pretty nerve racked! Please pray that it goes smoothly and that we remember everything we've learned!

Thank you SO much! Until I get back... or find internet :)

tchau

And we're off...

The MKs of Nampula are off on a missions trip in the country they are living in ;) Tomorrow we are driving down to a city about two days drive from here to help build a church. It'll be a week full of fun and hard work! Please pray for safe travels, safety while in the town, and that no one gets sick!! I've been sick the last 3 days with what we think may be Strep, so please pray that no one else will get it! Thank you and I'll update when I get back. Until then, Até Proxima! 

Please Pray!

Please be praying for the Entwistle family! Their 20 year old son, Ben (Older boy to the right), passed away yesterday afternoon. :(  I can't imagine what they must be going through right now. Please keep them in your prayers! Thank you so much!

http://www.benentwistle.com/

So cool!

A couple weeks ago, our guard's daughter, Magreth, was taking her exams to pass 10th grade. They education system is kinda messed up here, so the people in charge said that she would have to pay so much in order to pass. Well, our guard told dad that he doesn't have that kind of money, what should he do? Dad said that we would pray about it, and don't give ay money to them. Tonight when our guard came he said that Magreth had passed 10th grade! And he said thank you for our prayers! That they were what helped her pass! Wow! Our guard isn't a believer and it's just so amazing to see that he noticed that is was God who had helped:)