My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

There was a situation in our family that I was really concerned about. So I asked God to do whatever was necessary to resolve the situation. God answered that prayer by putting me in hospital with pneumococcal pneumonia, where I did not respond to treatment and so needed to have a major operation – decortication of a loculated empyema (or pleural collection). They say that it is the most painful operation to recover from and I had the operation without an epidural for pain control – they didn’t want my infection to spread to the epidural site. To do the operation the doctor had to move my ribs out of the way then move them back again after the procedure. I lost my seventh rib because they could not move it out of the way. Even though my ribs are still sore I have not been on pain killers for two to three weeks.

Before the operation while I was getting worse my doctor called my children home urgently. It gave me a rare opportunity to be surrounded by most of my children since they are in four different countries. I believe my children coming home was also an answer to my prayer to help us resolve the difficult situation. We are continuing to ask the Lord to resolve this ongoing situation and would appreciate your prayers for it as well – thank you.

During my three weeks in hospital and during my recuperation we have seen answers to many other trials as well. Praise God these trials are sent that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. The Lord has been good to us. My doctor said that my recuperation would be a long one. I believe him now as it is taking a long time to get my strength back and for the pain to go from my ribs. I have just returned from walking around the block, albeit slowly, for the first time – a very small block. And as you may have noticed I am now quietly putting a few things up on the website again. I have had a few phone calls and emails from people wanting to get exemptions and I have noticed that there are some ERO and MoE issues that need attention as well. I hope to attend to these in the next couple of weeks.

My family and I would like to thank everyone for your prayers and support during this time – your visits to the hospital (especially when you read the Bible and prayed with me); meals you have prepared for us and the planned three meals per week from members of my church that will be coming to us for a month after Suzannah leaves on Monday; your visits to our home; your phone calls, etc. We feel very loved by you all – thank you.

Barbara

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~