Urgent Prayer Request Part 2

My heart breaks to write these kinds of messages.

This past week has been one of emotional ups and downs. I have spent 4 of the last 7 days in African hospitals. You know this is my least favorite place to be. I HATE hospitals in Africa but what I hate even more is having to be there with a loved one.

Many of you will remember my dear Bessie. She is the nurse who selflessly dedicated herself to helping me care for Elliott. She stayed in the house with us and accompanied me to Yaounde for his treatment because I don't speak French. Last week she woke up in excruciating pain and her right leg numb. We took her to the hospital on Friday morning and discovered what we thought was abnormalities with both of her kidneys. On Monday we traveled to Douala to a more sophisticated hospital with better equipment to take a better look. Ironically, we were back at the same place that did Elliott's MRI. (There is only 1 working machine in the country) It was surreal to walk through those doors and see many of the same faces I saw a year ago. Walking into the room with the MRI machine literally took my breath away. My mind immediately flashed back to the day we brought Elliott into this same room with the very same technicians. Bessie was there by my side to offer support and help in any way needed. On Monday, the roles were reversed and she was the patient and I was supposed to be giving moral support.

My mind raced. I switched back and forth from prayers and asking the tech a million questions. My heart was broken. I never thought I would be inside that room again and especially not with Bessie. At some point I switched to an attitude of gratefulness. When walking through Elliott's journey, I never had an idea that I would need to go back to Douala for treatment for anyone. However, Because of his journey, we were able to get quality care quickly for Bessie in an emergency. I would have never known where to go or what to do if I didn't have experience. This is one more way that I am choosing to believe that Elliott's life is making a difference long past his time here on earth. I am also choosing to walk in faith and gratefulness.

Since my original message, Bessie has received 6 ultrasounds, 2 MRI's and a CT Scan with contrast. In an incredible outpouring of God's favor one of her MRI's and her CT Scan were done for FREE! THIS IS A HUGE BLESSING AND VIRTUALLY UNHEARD OF HERE IN CAMEROON. Patients are not seen without first paying everything up front. We have been very blessed with the quality of her care and Doctor's who are concerned and working for her good. This is also rare in Cameroon. Many Doctor's don't try to find answers, they send you on your way with a prescription for pain pills and that is that. I'm so grateful that this isn't the case right now. We have discovered that she has 2 gallstones, 3 Fibroids, a mass in her right kidney that is blocking her uretur and causing her kidney to be enlarged, her left kidney seems to be fine and there is another problem with her right kidney that they have yet to identify. The Radiologist is working diligently to give us a proper diagnosis and we are to return to Douala on Monday to hopefully get the final diagnosis. They have told us that if they can't figure it out, she will need to be sent to Europe for a diagnosis and treatment.

We DESPERATELY NEED YOUR PRAYERS. Bessie is in pain but she is in good spirits. We also need your financial help. We have spent about $1200.00 so far and we are spending $100 per day for transportation each time we travel to Douala.(3 times this week alone and we are headed back on Monday)  At this point I can't begin to estimate what her medical expenses will be. I have to trust that as God lays it on your heart to give, we will have what we need. Many of you have asked about my financial needs for Kenya and for coming back to the US this summer. I would ask that you defer any gift you were making for these trips to help cover Bessie's medical costs. Though I want to make both of these journeys, I will not until we know that Bessie is ok. At this juncture she needs an advocate, a big support system and friends.

Any gift that you can give will be helpful. You can donate online at http://hisbodyministries.blogspot.com. All donations are 100% tax deductible and you will be helping to save a life! Thanks so much to you who have already given to make the first MRI possible!

Thank you for all of your support for me, our ministry and the people of Cameroon that I have come to know and love.

Please continue to pray for Bessie, her family and for me that I keep my head on straight and stay focused during this time. I'll send out updates as I have more info!