Back from the dead

Last week we moved to Nashville. This week we are back in Michigan wrapping up tasks, appointments, making ministry deadlines for fiscal year reports to the government, attending a board meeting, a planning committee meeting for spring events, visiting a supporting church, connecting with remaining family in this area, having one last goodbye with friends, and tending to a myriad of events to prepare for our next upcoming trip to Congo.

After six days straight of living in the fast lane from morning til night and seeing God's hand at every turn of the way in making crooked paths straight and giving us strength to finish this prep before leaving, I was able to sandwich in a visit to my dear sister, Gerry. Gerry underwent back surgery in September, acquired severe infection, broke part of her spine, underwent three more surgeries to alleviate the intense pain she was suffering, was coded for cardiac arrest and a collapsed lung, and was intubated with a feeding tube and ventilator. Most would never have survived such trauma and body breakdown, but my tough little big sister did! The Lord amazingly has brought her back to life, back from the dead, and she is very alive and well.

As my darling, beautiful niece, Terri, wheeled her out to see me in the foyer of the beautiful facility which provides hours of physical therapy, hope, kind treatment, and loving care, my eyes beheld her miraculous countenance. She speaks, is in her right mind, has gained back 11 lb (she went down to 89 lb.), and talks, reasons, cries, and responds wonderfully well. The sound of her voice and her precious animated face were such sweet music to my ears, rather like a symphony.

About half way through our visit, in walked my handsome nephew, Mark. Tears filled my eyes as well as Gerry's and Terri's as I recounted their loving kindness to their mama while she was so critically ill. They were by her side most of the time, soothing her traumatized body and mind, telling her how much they loved her and that she was going to be okay. They patted her arm, gently stroked her face, and ran their fingers through her hair, speaking hope and soothing tenderness into her spirit. It was wonderful to behold.

I want to thank everyone for praying for Gerry. Her illness took her to the depths of the death pit, and now God has chosen to resurrect her and allow us to enjoy her presence a while longer. Thank you for standing in the gap for her when she couldn't even speak, sleeping her days away, trying to regain her strength. Praise you, Jesus, for your amazing healing power. Just a glance in her direction, just a spoken word, just a wisp of the expression of your will, or just a healing thought for her is all that was needed to bring her around. I am so grateful that you chose to show her mercy by allowing her to come back to us from that pit. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.