First, I apologize if my slightly deceptive manner of relaying this news upsets any of you...just trying to bring some joy to the situation. 

 

Okay, I'll try to get the whole story in here...bare with me.  My chronology may be slightly exaggerated; my times reflect how long it feels, not necessarily how long it has actually been...but it's close.

 

About two months ago a pregnant mother in our church felt she was coming down with the flu.  After trying over the counter meds to no avail she went to the local state-run hospital for treatment, and she was admitted.  The doctors decided she had TB.  At around 6 1/2 months into her pregnancy the babies heart rate dropped to 80 BPM, about half of what it should be, probably due to the mom's high fever and general weak condition.  The doctors decided to take the baby by cesarean, as the baby was certainly in danger, and were the mom to miscarry at that late stage and in the condition she was in she may not have survived either.  So, the baby was born 2 1/2 months early. 

 

That was on month ago (mom was in the hospital for a few weeks before they took the baby).  During the last month the mom has fallen into a coma, which lasted for about a week, and though she is now conscious and responsive, she still cannot speak, move on her own, sit up, complete basic functions, etc...  as of the last few days she has been sitting in a wheel chair, but cannot hold her head up, let alone her body.  Her husband devised a way to communicate with her - he wrote 'yes' on one card and 'no' on another, placed either one on each side of her head after telling her which side they were on, and then asked her questions.  She is able to turn her head to the appropriate side in order to respond, which is a great stride forward considering where she was a few weeks ago.  However, her recovery is still very uncertain. 

 

During her time in the hospital she has been diagnosed first with TB, then it was meningitis, then TB again, then possibly encephalitis, then back to TB...no explanation was ever given for her coma, and no doctor has been able to provide any real answers.  In addition, her medicines have been stolen several times during the night by nurses who then sell them or give them to other patients; her care is minimal, at best...her sheets are only changed every 4 days or so, and no one has yet appeared to perform physical therapy with her, despite ongoing promises to do so. 

 

Let me stop to provide a quick explanation of how the system here works...when you are admitted to a hospital (or clinic, which is a step up), medicines are not provided for you by the drs/nurses.  Instead, someone (family/friend/etc...) must check daily or stay with the patient so that any time a medicine is required they can go buy it.  Basically, each time a patient needs a medicine the doctor or nurse writes a prescription and then the attending outsider goes and buys the medicine, either at the hospital pharmacy or at an outside pharmacy.  This is the case for everyone, not just poor Peruvians.  When Kayla was in the hospital for a week earlier this year I stayed in the room with her, and every morning and afternoon I would leave to buy her daily meds (which included things like syringes, IV tubing, saline, pretty much everything).  Now, Kayla was at a clinic, and we opted for a private room, rather than a group (6-12 per room) setting.  This mom is at a state hospital, where on some days there is only one doctor on duty for the entire wing, one nurse, and on a recent holiday there was no doctor working!!! 

 

Okay, back to the story.  Mom has been slowly dying for two months...she seems to be in some sort of recovery, but who knows.  In the meantime, dad works every day and has a 12 year old son and 10 year old daughter.  For the first few weeks these two were at home alone, aside from some time they spent with us.  Then, some family started helping with them, which is another difficult situation.  For the first few weeks it made sense that the baby stay in the hospital, but he was breathing fine and once he was off the feeding tube and had gained some weight his dad wanted him to leave because we were all pretty sure he wasn't being taken care of.  Obviously, the nursery is nothing like what we're used to.  NO one held him, picked him up, nothing.  His dad wasn't always allowed to visit him, nor was anyone else.  To top it off, Kayla bought him a hat (they were using a diaper to cover his head!!!) and within two days it had disappeared.  "We use things for all the babies" she was told when an explanation was sought!! 

 

We had offered to take care of the baby for some time, now.  However, when it came down to it the hospital decided that the dad didn't have any rights to the baby without the mothers permission, who can't speak and certainly can't sign her name.  After we took our lawyers to the hospital and they explained things in a different manner the chief of the hospital decided it would be no problem to release the baby. 

 

So, long story short (haha) we now have a -2 month old baby at home (that's negative 2 months, in case you were wondering). 

 

On the plus side, the baby will now receive proper care, and the dad has one less worry to keep him up at night while his wife remains in the hospital indefinitely.  

 

I'll write more later and will entertain any questions...in the meantime, pray for us all!!!

 

Micah

 

Hey everyone-

 

I've got a little good news regarding the family situations of the past few weeks. Nick and Danitza are heading back to Japan.  The doctors in Hawaii were unable to locate anything like a tumor, or any other condition to speak of, for that matter, and it appears all is normal!!!  Whatever took place, whatever was going on, we're all gonna thank God that the mom and baby are safe and healthy!!!

 

Now let's just hope those folks in Japan know how to deliver a baby!!!! 

 

 

 

Hey everybody...

 

Not too long ago I let you all know about several situations we have been presented with as of late.  These situations ranged from terrible to tragic, and for all of you out there who have offered up your prayers I wanted to say thank you!!!  We are blessed to have all of you watching out for us, keeping us in your thoughts, remembering us in your prayers...as God hears your prayers so do we feel them, and we are thankful!!

 

Several of you (Jerry, Matt & Jeremy) have asked for an update, which reminds me of just how lucky we are to have all of you (even if you didn't ask I know you are all wondering, waiting, and praying) and I thought it time to share with you all what has taken place since my last message. 

 

I'll start in a sort of reverse order from my last message, though not necessarily in order of severity:

 

Kayla, diagnosed with chronic migraines (what I've always blamed on PMS and 'being a woman') and temporal arthritis, which is arthritis of the temporal arteries, which also causes severe headaches, tenderness of the scalp, and pressure behind the eye, even to the point of blindness in some cases, has been feeling much better.  After nearly two weeks of virtual non-existence, spending most of her time in bed due to the severity of the pain, Kayla has returned to work and to life.  While she is still suffering from pain and headaches, they have lessened in both severity and frequency, and for that we are all thankful.  The doctors and web sites all say her condition could be lifelong and controllable by medication or it could fade with time.  While I need not say I'm hoping it fades quite rapidly, I ask you all to continue to pray that this will be the case.

 

Kayla's brother and sister-in-law, Nick and Danitza, are expecting their first child in September.  A few weeks ago doctors discovered what they believed to be a tumor in the womb, possibly attached to the baby as well.  Because of the location of the 'tumor' doctors were unable to determine a great deal about it, but they predicted that the baby would need immediate surgery upon birth, and that a premature c-section was likely.  Nick, in the Navy and stationed on a carrier in Japan, was recalled to join Danitza on the mainland.  Once there the doctors decided they were ill-equipped to handle Danitza's case and chose to send her to Hawaii. 

 

In Hawaii since last Wednesday, it had been decided that unless the life of either mother or baby were in jeopardy, a c-section would not be performed prematurely, which in and of itself is a blessing!!  Doctors have been unable to locate the tumor using a sonogram, and an MRI has been scheduled to determine more.  The doctor has not been clear as to what the inability to find the tumor means, although at this point his tone and attitude seem to be quite positive.  A misdiagnosis may be in play, or it may be that the position of the baby is obstructing the view.  The doctor did say that there still appears an abnormality in the size of some of the babies organs, and that this may have caused the appearance of a tumor, as well.  Basically, we still just don't know, but with each passing day the baby grows stronger and healthier and the outlook grows brighter.  Your prayers have made a difference.  Thank you for your faithfulness. 

 

The final situation I presented to you all involved the discovery of the secret life of our assistant pastor, a life that included what appears to be an addiction to pornography, extra-marital affairs, and what seems to be several instances of coerced physical contact, some of which many of you would call rape, or at least sex by intimidation.  However labeled, the acts of this man ripped a gouge in the church, damaging the lives of individuals, families, and our community. 

 

This pastor, controlled by spirits of deceit so powerful as to blind most everyone around him, wrought his havoc virtually undetected.  He had spun a web so intricate I believe even he is uncertain as to its design. 

 

As difficult as it may seem we have already seen positive results, not of his actions, but of his actions being brought to light.  Many people who had left the church over the last several years have since returned because this pastor left.  While many of these people were not necessarily aware of his true lifestyle, they knew, somewhere inside themselves, he wasn't quite right.  Now, in his absence, they are again able to join us, to rejoin their family. 

 

Likewise, a revelation has been shown to the entire church, an opportunity for us all to again see God without the obstructions Satan had built so delicately, and it shows in each and every service.  While it is true we are all a bit gun shy after being duped so unwittingly, we also are all rejuvenated in the fact that in the end God has prevailed and this evil has been discovered. 

 

We all continue to pray for this pastor, his wife and children.  If he truly wishes to recover, to find himself again and discover who it is he is supposed to be it will be a matter only he can attend to.  At this point he has made virtually no effort or attempt to repair any of the damage he has caused, and I believe this to be the point of contention for those continuing to struggle with forgiveness and understanding.  If ever he wishes to move forward he must know the road is long, requiring years and years to simply realize what he has done, and then years more to repair and regain what he has lost, or thrown away.  His wife will struggle for what may seem like forever, their lives will not be easy.  Please, pray for him that he will see his errors, not because he was caught, but because he knows he is wrong. 

 

I have heard that he plans to attempt to regain the role of pastor in only six months time.  While he will never again be allowed to pastor any of our churches, we have no control outside our doors, aside from offering opinion and influence.  It is because of the arrogance he continues to display that I do not believe he yet feels any contrition for what he has done.  Still, all I can do is pray, and I ask you all to continue to do the same. 

 

Thank you again for all your prayers, for all your responses, and for all your love and faithfulness. 

 

God Bless you all, and please, feel free to write any time and keep in touch...it is because of all of you I am here.  Thank You...