August 18, 2018

2 Corinthians 1:10b -11 On Him we have set our hope that He will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

We appreciate your prayers over the last 19 years, and especially the last few years for Randy's health, God's direction and wisdom. We ask that you please continue to pray as we recently received some very difficult news about Randy's spine.

After Randy's surgery on Oct. 3, 2017, we had several obstacles to overcome with his recovery, but had a hope that the surgery was successful.

Over the last couple of months, Randy has been unable to eat much solid food, had more difficulty swallowing, breathing, and exercising. Tests were ordered.

An MRI performed last week, Aug. 13, shows his spine is closer to his sternum than it was after the surgery. The original distance was 3.2 cm, it is now 2.7 cm. The doctors are trying to figure out the next course of action.

What are we doing? We are waiting once again. We wait for our Heavenly Father to give direction and teach us. Waiting is not easy. We get frustrated, feel hopeless and helpless. While we are waiting and feeling all these emotions, we are trying to remain faithful-faithful in our trusting- trusting that our Father is in control. He knows the outcome and through it all He will be glorified.

We are trying to remain faithful to His calling us to Romania. Robert has been there for 3 months working on the camp, keeping connections and testifying of the commitment and promises God has made to us.

Jody is being faithful to her call as a mother and caregiver to Randy's needs while she is recovering from broken bones in her back from a fall. She reports she is doing better in that area.

In all of this, we are thankful for God's grace and love for us enough to teach us through trials. We wish we could learn them a little quicker. We are also very thankful that when most of you see Randy, he seems happy and well. It is understandable that it is hard to believe that one could be so close to death and act and look like that. It is hard for us to believe as well, and very difficult for us to talk about. So we will choose to try to hold on to the joy in the midst of this storm that seems very long. We choose to keep looking for the glimpses of the brighter day to come because God promises it will come.

We hope you will continue to pray for us as you live through this with us. Thank you for your steadfast prayers and love through all of this. May God, the Father of all blessings, bless you.