I requested prayer some weeks ago for friends who were in Africa but the dad (Rainald) had been ill and they had found tumours in his testicle and the family had to return home to Australia so he could get treatment. Here is the latest email update:
I would like to thank everyone who has prayed, texted, emailed, given and phoned us. Your support and encouragement has been what gets us through especially the tough days. We arrived back on the 30th and drove Rainald straight to Royal prince Alfred Hospital. There he was admitted and the tests begun, firstly they thought he had TB and we all had to wear funny gowns and masks if we wanted to go near him. When that scare was over they concentrated on the tumour which proved to be testicular cancer in stage 3, it had travelled to his lungs, liver, abdomen and lymphatic system. He was in alot of pain and by now weighed 70 kg, 15kg less than usual. Last tuesday chemotherapy started and he is under going 5 straight days followed by a monday treatment, twice then back to the 5 days. He is receiving very high doses and no doubt will not feel too well over the next 3 months. Because we had to fly out so quickly we had to take business class seats they were very nice but came with a price. $12 500 one way for the two, these seats were also much more comfortable for Rainald and he could lie down. We couldnt get the kids out of Malawi till the 20th so they are still there and wont arrive till 22nd october. It has now been more than a month since we have been together and if you know our family and how close we are thats tough. The other downer about the kids is that we cant have them with us while Rainald receives treatment as Rainald and I will stay with my sister. She and her husband have a house in Sydney and their three adult children still live at home. There just isnt room so the kids will move back to Gympie and stay at our house that is being rented by friends and they will look after them. Hopefully this will be till christmas when we can all be together again. Rainald is not in as much pain anymore, they operated and removed the tumour. He is very weak and has lost a lot of muscle tone. His road to recovery will be long. He is in quite good spirits today it helps when you see someone doing something to make you better. During the time when we didnt know what was wrong we struggled alot. We have had some friends come down and visit this was good for our spirits. We enjoy the calls as being so far away from friends has its struggles. My sister has been great, we now realise what sisters are for and she is an enormous support and friend. Again thank you for your prayers.
Blessings jennifer And Rainald
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
SPRING IS IN THE AIR
WELL SPRING IS IN THE AIR AND I POPPED OUT INTO THE GARDEN TO TAKE A PHOTO OF THE LARGE RED FLOWERS (TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THE BLOG). I TRIED TWICE TO PUT THEIR PHOTOS AT THE TOP OF MY BLOG AND TWICE IT TOLD ME THAT IT HAD ENCOUNTERED AN ERROR REQUIRING MY SYSTEM TO SHUT DOWN SO I HAVE LEFT THEM AT THE BOTTOM. SO MY STORY WILL BE A LITTLE BACK TO FRONT.
I'M HOPING THAT THESE LITTLE BUNCHES WILL TURN INTO GRAPES. THERE IS A QUITE A FEW PLANTS ALONG THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE WHICH HAVE LOOKED DEAD ALL WINTER. IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS THEY HAVE BECOME COVERED IN GREEN LEAVES AND BUCKETLOADS OF THESE BUNCHES.
THIS IS WHAT I WENT OUTSIDE ORIGINALLY TO PHOTOGRAPH. THIS LARGE CACTUS IS IN THE BACK CORNER OF THE YARD AND I HATE IT. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU WOULD PLANT IT.
BUT WHEN I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW THE OTHER DAY I SAW THESE LARGE RED FLOWERS GROWING IN FRONT OF THE CACTUS AND THEY LOOKED SPECTACULAR.
THEY ARE BIGGER THAN YOUR HAND.
ALSO FLOWERING IN THE GARDEN ARE THE HIBISCUS.
I'M HOPING THAT THESE LITTLE BUNCHES WILL TURN INTO GRAPES. THERE IS A QUITE A FEW PLANTS ALONG THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE WHICH HAVE LOOKED DEAD ALL WINTER. IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS THEY HAVE BECOME COVERED IN GREEN LEAVES AND BUCKETLOADS OF THESE BUNCHES.WASN'T SURE WHAT THE PLANT BELOW WAS AS IT WAS BARE OF LEAVES WHEN WE MOVED IN. KNEW IT HAD TO BE A FRUIT AS IT WAS COVERED IN NETTING. WHEN I LOOKED TODAY IT WAS COVERED IN PEACHES.
THE MANGO TREES HAVE HAD LOTS OF FLOWERS. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL SET AND THERE WILL BE HEAPS OF MANGOES.
IT IS PRETTY HOT HERE TODAY (33 DEG CELSIUS). TIGGER, FRANKIE AND BLACKIE CURLED UP IN NICHOLAS' BED FOR A DAY OF NAPPING.
THE MANGO TREES HAVE HAD LOTS OF FLOWERS. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL SET AND THERE WILL BE HEAPS OF MANGOES.
IT IS PRETTY HOT HERE TODAY (33 DEG CELSIUS). TIGGER, FRANKIE AND BLACKIE CURLED UP IN NICHOLAS' BED FOR A DAY OF NAPPING.TOM SPENT THE MORNING WITH ME AT THE COMPUTER. HE WASN'T IMPRESSED WITH BEING DISTURBED WHEN I WENT OUT TO TAKE THE PHOTOS.
BUT SOON SETTLED BACK DOWN TO NAPPING. 
THIS IS WHAT I WENT OUTSIDE ORIGINALLY TO PHOTOGRAPH. THIS LARGE CACTUS IS IN THE BACK CORNER OF THE YARD AND I HATE IT. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU WOULD PLANT IT. 
BUT WHEN I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW THE OTHER DAY I SAW THESE LARGE RED FLOWERS GROWING IN FRONT OF THE CACTUS AND THEY LOOKED SPECTACULAR.
THEY ARE BIGGER THAN YOUR HAND.
ALSO FLOWERING IN THE GARDEN ARE THE HIBISCUS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PLANT IS BELOW. IT DOESN'T HAVE VERY MANY BRANCHES BUT THEY ARE ALL COMPLETELY COVERED IN THESE WHITE FLOWERS.
THE POOR OLD PECAN TREES LOOK SO BARE. THERE ARE 3 IN THE YARD AND THEY DROPPED HEAPS OF PECAN NUTS AND THEN DROPPED ALL THERE LEAVES.
HOPE YOU ENJOYED A QUICK TRIP THROUGH THE GARDEN OF OUR RENTAL HOME. IT NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME HOW DIVERSE GOD'S CREATION IS.
Pat's Birthday Tea
BIRTHDAY CAKE! YUM!!
PATRICK'S COUSIN PETA DIDN'T WANT HER PHOTO TAKEN BUT AFTER SOME GENTLE PERSUASION WE GOT A PHOTO.
HIS OTHER COUSIN KELLY IS NOT SO SHY OF THE CAMERA AND WAS HAPPY TO HAM IT UP WITH PATRICK.
PAT'S PRESENTS FROM HIS COUSINS. THE TRUCK IS A FAMILY JOKE. THE SHIRTS WERE PRETTY APT.
KELLY WASN'T REAL SURE ABOUT THE TRUCK SHE LOOKS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BITE HER.
NICHOLAS HAD HI FIRST SUMMER SWIM.
PAT BOUGHT THIS 'COOL HAT' THAT EVERYONE WHO IS COOL IS WEARING. NOT SURE HOW CLEAR IT IS IN THE PHOTO BUT IT HAS A BEADED PIECE ON TOP WITH A PLASTIC ROTOR BLADE ON IT. WE WENT TO THE SHOPPING CENTRE ON SATURDAY AND SAW 6 OTHER TEENAGERS WITH THIS HAT ON.
PAT BOUGHT THIS 'COOL HAT' THAT EVERYONE WHO IS COOL IS WEARING. NOT SURE HOW CLEAR IT IS IN THE PHOTO BUT IT HAS A BEADED PIECE ON TOP WITH A PLASTIC ROTOR BLADE ON IT. WE WENT TO THE SHOPPING CENTRE ON SATURDAY AND SAW 6 OTHER TEENAGERS WITH THIS HAT ON.PAT'S BIRTHDAY WAS A BIT DIFFERENT TO LAST YEAR'S. LAST YEAR HE AWOKE IN A HOTEL IN NONG KHAI, THAILAND. WAITED FOR AGES TO CROSS THE THAILAND BORDER AND EVEN LONGER AT THE LAOS BORDER FOR VISAS. EVENTUALLY GOT INTO VIENTIANNE, LAOS. HAD ITALIAN (PIZZA) AT A FRENCH RESTAURANT IN LAOS TO CELEBRATE BECOMING A TEENAGER. SOMETHING HE WILL NEVER FORGET.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Praise The Lord!!
Prayer is so powerful and our God is so awesome. Since 2 days after the prayer request was made for little Jeremias (4 year old with the prolapsed bowel) his bowel has not prolapsed again. Praise the Lord. Please keep praying for a complete recovery.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Grand Final Day
Well it is AFL Grand Final Day (a big day in the Hutley household). David has prime TV viewing position staked out very early and watches all day. Even though the game doesn't start until 2:30pm there is heaps of pre game viewing. It is the last hoorah before he heads into mourning that the season is over and there will be no footy until next. Fortunately there is some cricket happening over the summer or he would go completely bonkers. Last year we were in Singapore when the Grand Final was on (and yes there were some words said about me booking our trip when the grand final was on). Which also means that it is nearly Patrick's birthday. We have no idea what to get him. We asked him to make a list of 10 things he would like for his birthday. Unfortunately it consisted of things that were all very expensive or that he knew we wouldn't get him, so we are back to the drawing board.
As you have probably read on our blog we have been praying recently for several people we know who are battling illness (Rainald Feldmeier - 2 tumours and benign malaria in his liver, Jeremias (4) prolapsed bowel, David's brother in law Michael who has a viral infection).
We thankfully have been pretty healthy - David pinched something in his neck several months ago which is slowly improving and Patrick has a bad case of sunburn (he refused to put on sunscreen when he went mowing with David this week because it smelled funny - hopefully he has learned a lesson).
I worked everyday this week except Monday, most of them weren't my shifts but filling in for people who were away sick. Which is good for me and my pay packet but not so good for them. Not sure what the go at work at the moment is there seems to be quite a few people resigning and the big bosses were in 3 days in a row this week.
The mowing business is going well, particularly now that there has been some rain and it is warming up. Places that they were only mowing once a month are now needing to be done once a fortnight.
We are looking at moving to Maryborough over the Christmas holidays. Property is a lot cheaper there, there is a number of churches with families attending and youth groups running, it is closer to Gympie, there is opportunity to begin mowing there, there is a good Christian School with a focus on the subjects that the boys are wanting to do, there is plenty of casual work for me (both at school and Coles/Bilo). So we are praying for direction from the Lord as to whether we should go and when exactly.
These are some lightning shots that I took the other night. We didn't get any rain but the lightning was pretty spectacular. I have twice as many shots of the black night sky as ones that actually show the lightning. But these were the best 3.
Hope you all have a great week!!!
As you have probably read on our blog we have been praying recently for several people we know who are battling illness (Rainald Feldmeier - 2 tumours and benign malaria in his liver, Jeremias (4) prolapsed bowel, David's brother in law Michael who has a viral infection).
We thankfully have been pretty healthy - David pinched something in his neck several months ago which is slowly improving and Patrick has a bad case of sunburn (he refused to put on sunscreen when he went mowing with David this week because it smelled funny - hopefully he has learned a lesson).
I worked everyday this week except Monday, most of them weren't my shifts but filling in for people who were away sick. Which is good for me and my pay packet but not so good for them. Not sure what the go at work at the moment is there seems to be quite a few people resigning and the big bosses were in 3 days in a row this week.
The mowing business is going well, particularly now that there has been some rain and it is warming up. Places that they were only mowing once a month are now needing to be done once a fortnight.
We are looking at moving to Maryborough over the Christmas holidays. Property is a lot cheaper there, there is a number of churches with families attending and youth groups running, it is closer to Gympie, there is opportunity to begin mowing there, there is a good Christian School with a focus on the subjects that the boys are wanting to do, there is plenty of casual work for me (both at school and Coles/Bilo). So we are praying for direction from the Lord as to whether we should go and when exactly.
These are some lightning shots that I took the other night. We didn't get any rain but the lightning was pretty spectacular. I have twice as many shots of the black night sky as ones that actually show the lightning. But these were the best 3.
Hope you all have a great week!!!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Another Prayer
I received this from our friends in Africa a few weeks ago.
Wow, what a difficult few weeks we have just been through. Some of you already know about Rainalds illness while others it is first time news. Sorry we didn’t contact you sooner but the nature of the condition didn’t allow me to access internet hence my delay. So, you are probably wondering what happened. First of all the good news Rainald is getting better he was in a private clinic in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, for 5 days receiving treatment but is now recovering at a friends house in Lilongwe and we will keep him there till he has regained his strength and has gained weight. Secondly, what was wrong, well we aren’t sure about that but all we know is that he was in a great deal of pain from renal and abdominal cramps. This condition started as diarrhoea and cramping about 4 weeks ago which we thought was a passing bug however it didn’t totally leave even after he received antibiotics. One night while in Karonga we had even to get the doctor to give him a shot of Valium to allow him to sleep as this had become difficult for a number of days. Finally as we realised the condition was getting worse we decided to move him to Lilongwe but we also hesitated as the 8 hr trip in the car would be difficult. But our Father knew that so through a fellow Christian it was organised to fly him to the capital with myself and the children following that same day in the car. On the morning we were to leave things had got worse and it was again decided that I should travel with him and our friends would take care of the children in Karonga till we could arrange transport for them. We praised God as we saw his hand move in helping us. But the help did not stop there. We were driven to the clinic by another man, the airport is about 30km away and left in their care. While there the diagnosis was that Rainald had Giardia, treatment started and we went to stay with other missionary friends. Rainald seemed to be improving but on the second day his conditioned worsened and we were forced to admit him to hospital. Further tests and it showed he had an infection but we didn’t know which type. He had enlarged kidneys and lots of gas in his intestines which caused pain and excessive burping. A new antibiotic, antacid, glucose and electrolytes also pethidine for the pain. Again he started to improve until the 3rd day when he started to get stomach pain. We asked for more pethidine but the doctor wouldn’t give any, the reason for this was, they had run out and had to find some more. This took a few hours and by now Rainald was not good. The next day we took him for further tests at a different clinic and a scan showed that he had very large lymph nodes in his stomach and intestines one was even 6.5cm long. This worried the doctor and we were advised to travel to South Africa for further tests but both of us felt he was improving and that he only had a bacteria that was being killed slowly. One comment here is that there is limited medical help here most cases that are more complex go to south Africa, so getting sick in Malawi is not a good move.
As the days went on Rainald would feel good then not so good remember by now he has been ill for 4 weeks we knew it would take time.
Hospitals are different here to Australia. You have to supply all your own towels, washers and food. So each day I would drive to our friends and make food, have a shower then return to the hospital and sleep there. The children were driven down to us by one of the Lusubilo drivers and they were also looked after by friends. Here we were in a foreign country and the support we received humbled us. People we hardly knew were offering support, friends of friends who were doctors would drop in to give advice and help. Others were there to pay our way if we had to go South. People prayed and God moved he didn’t bring immediate healing but he comforted and strengthened us each day. One such comfort was Sister Beatrice, the director of Lusubilo; she happened to be in Lilongwe when we came down and when she heard that Rainald was not well she never left our side. For 5 days she sat beside his bed praying, talking, sleeping and comforting us. She even wanted to sleep there but we made her rest at her brother’s house. She was amazing and it would have been difficult with out her. Another provision of God was a car to travel around in as I didn’t have one when we got to Lilongwe. And now the most recent provision is a guest house for Rainald and I to stay in while he recovers. It is quiet, comfortable and just what the doctor ordered. The children are still being looked after by another family who we are eternally indebted to, they have such a ministry. They have 4 children of their own, look after another one who schools in the capital and have a young women also living with them as well as my 4. Their household is crazy but great and we always feel so welcome, these people will receive a large crown for their support. Other comforts have been all the phone calls, emails and text messages of support and prayers. We felt at all times held up in Gods hands with his wings around us.
So there you go, even though we are not sure of what Rainald had we praise God that he is recovering. We know it will be slow but it will happen. Please continue to pray as Rainald has lost a lot of weight and at present the only thing he can eat is Paw Paw all other food still upset his stomach. Also pray that he will continue to recover and be brought back to full strength. It’s funny how you think about things in such a crisis, at no time have we felt to go back to Australia for help. We feel at peace that this is where God wants us and going back is not an option as long as we can still stay here we will. People need us, God has led us and this is where we will stay until He moves us on. Rainald has only begun Gods work here and he has much to accomplish, God willing. We know satan isn’t happy about what we are doing so he will throw everything he can at us for us to leave so we continue to pray that no weapon formed against us will prosper and this will be the case as others also join with us in prayer.
So thank you all for your support, your love and most of all your prayers.
Your Sister in Christ,
Jennifer
PS I have just read this to Rainald and he feels that his real condition was not highlighted enough. He was really sick in a lot of agony; he had many, many sleepless nights walking the floor in pain. He has taken so much medicine that he feels that is now poisoning his system even though it is also helping. When the gas tries to escape he burps for hours and this really tires him and hurts. He feels weak from lack of food, and was dehydrated from not drinking. Still at this stage any food bar paw paw makes him cramp so he avoids them. Many times his spirit was so low he didn’t know if he could go on. His arms and hands hurt from all the needles and intravenous medication. Right now he is a little better as he had a good day though tired. How am I going, alright as long as I can do something and as long as I see him getting better. Not so good when he is in pain or getting weaker also it is hard to be making all the decisions especially when they could be critical. I don’t know maybe we should take him south. But that would also be hard as the trip is big and everything down there is foreign. Also would they find out what’s wrong????? He is sick of tests and only wants to get better.
I received this email today.
It is with a heavy heart that I have to share the news about Rainald. Today we were informed that he has two tumours in his left testicles. This sadly brings an end to our time in Malawi as we can not get a full diagnosis here or treatment, so we plan to fly out as soon as we can get a flight which may be not until the 6th October. He also has another complication that of benign malaria which hides in his liver and can surface when conditions are right. This apparently happened in the last few weeks hence the sever gastro intestinal problems. He has to have regular pain relief to manage each day but he is getting by. At present we are still in Lilongwe where we will keep Rainald till the flight out, Daniel will stay with him while Jessica, Dean, Emily and our friend David from Zambia drive to Karonga to pick up our personal items and say goodbye to all our Lusubilo Family. This will be a hard time as all of us are grieving having to leave here. It was only a few weeks ago that we all made the decision to stay another year, now we have to leave and it is a big shock. For us there is only one way to deal with this news and that is to bring it before God and trust he will guide us through the medical maze we are about to enter. We questioned why us? These things happen to other people but not us. Then after much pray and thought the question changed why not me? Each day in our village we see funerals and death go by; each day our neighbours or friends bury someone close to them. They morn, they grieve and then they get on with their lives. Death and illness is as common as life itself. So my thought was that if they can cope with these things daily I can also. For us life is not just about being here on earth but also about having peace with our God who created us and knows our days. The bible says that He will never allow something to happen to us that we can not handle, so therefore God must find us strong enough to weather this storm. I am not saying that Rainald will leave us but what I am saying is that we are ready for anything. I am not saying that it will be easy but I know that we will make it through. This type of condition plagues many and now it is our turn.
So I ask you all to continue to uphold us in prayer, write to us, ring us and talk to us. This will be what we need when we are having a rough day. Also concerning the children we can only get them a flight two weeks after us so they will stay with friends here till the 20th. It will be hard for them to be here while we are in Australia not being able to see their Dad or to know what is happening each day. So pray also for them, they are strong and know we have to leave but this doesn’t mean they will like it. They have made good friends and love this country as much as we do, it will be hard to leave and when it is hard to leave somewhere it is also hard to return to a place you just don't want to be. So if you see them love them and encourage them to be strong, they will need it.
So there you have it our latest news, sorry it is not about some great adventure we went on or how Rainald has made an impact in some village or how our youth bible studies are teaching young people about the Lord. Nevertheless it is what is happening in our lives so goodnight we are off to bed and we will talk again in the morning.
Love Jennifer Rainald Daniel Jessica Dean & Emily Mvula
Please keep this family in your prayers.
Wow, what a difficult few weeks we have just been through. Some of you already know about Rainalds illness while others it is first time news. Sorry we didn’t contact you sooner but the nature of the condition didn’t allow me to access internet hence my delay. So, you are probably wondering what happened. First of all the good news Rainald is getting better he was in a private clinic in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, for 5 days receiving treatment but is now recovering at a friends house in Lilongwe and we will keep him there till he has regained his strength and has gained weight. Secondly, what was wrong, well we aren’t sure about that but all we know is that he was in a great deal of pain from renal and abdominal cramps. This condition started as diarrhoea and cramping about 4 weeks ago which we thought was a passing bug however it didn’t totally leave even after he received antibiotics. One night while in Karonga we had even to get the doctor to give him a shot of Valium to allow him to sleep as this had become difficult for a number of days. Finally as we realised the condition was getting worse we decided to move him to Lilongwe but we also hesitated as the 8 hr trip in the car would be difficult. But our Father knew that so through a fellow Christian it was organised to fly him to the capital with myself and the children following that same day in the car. On the morning we were to leave things had got worse and it was again decided that I should travel with him and our friends would take care of the children in Karonga till we could arrange transport for them. We praised God as we saw his hand move in helping us. But the help did not stop there. We were driven to the clinic by another man, the airport is about 30km away and left in their care. While there the diagnosis was that Rainald had Giardia, treatment started and we went to stay with other missionary friends. Rainald seemed to be improving but on the second day his conditioned worsened and we were forced to admit him to hospital. Further tests and it showed he had an infection but we didn’t know which type. He had enlarged kidneys and lots of gas in his intestines which caused pain and excessive burping. A new antibiotic, antacid, glucose and electrolytes also pethidine for the pain. Again he started to improve until the 3rd day when he started to get stomach pain. We asked for more pethidine but the doctor wouldn’t give any, the reason for this was, they had run out and had to find some more. This took a few hours and by now Rainald was not good. The next day we took him for further tests at a different clinic and a scan showed that he had very large lymph nodes in his stomach and intestines one was even 6.5cm long. This worried the doctor and we were advised to travel to South Africa for further tests but both of us felt he was improving and that he only had a bacteria that was being killed slowly. One comment here is that there is limited medical help here most cases that are more complex go to south Africa, so getting sick in Malawi is not a good move.
As the days went on Rainald would feel good then not so good remember by now he has been ill for 4 weeks we knew it would take time.
Hospitals are different here to Australia. You have to supply all your own towels, washers and food. So each day I would drive to our friends and make food, have a shower then return to the hospital and sleep there. The children were driven down to us by one of the Lusubilo drivers and they were also looked after by friends. Here we were in a foreign country and the support we received humbled us. People we hardly knew were offering support, friends of friends who were doctors would drop in to give advice and help. Others were there to pay our way if we had to go South. People prayed and God moved he didn’t bring immediate healing but he comforted and strengthened us each day. One such comfort was Sister Beatrice, the director of Lusubilo; she happened to be in Lilongwe when we came down and when she heard that Rainald was not well she never left our side. For 5 days she sat beside his bed praying, talking, sleeping and comforting us. She even wanted to sleep there but we made her rest at her brother’s house. She was amazing and it would have been difficult with out her. Another provision of God was a car to travel around in as I didn’t have one when we got to Lilongwe. And now the most recent provision is a guest house for Rainald and I to stay in while he recovers. It is quiet, comfortable and just what the doctor ordered. The children are still being looked after by another family who we are eternally indebted to, they have such a ministry. They have 4 children of their own, look after another one who schools in the capital and have a young women also living with them as well as my 4. Their household is crazy but great and we always feel so welcome, these people will receive a large crown for their support. Other comforts have been all the phone calls, emails and text messages of support and prayers. We felt at all times held up in Gods hands with his wings around us.
So there you go, even though we are not sure of what Rainald had we praise God that he is recovering. We know it will be slow but it will happen. Please continue to pray as Rainald has lost a lot of weight and at present the only thing he can eat is Paw Paw all other food still upset his stomach. Also pray that he will continue to recover and be brought back to full strength. It’s funny how you think about things in such a crisis, at no time have we felt to go back to Australia for help. We feel at peace that this is where God wants us and going back is not an option as long as we can still stay here we will. People need us, God has led us and this is where we will stay until He moves us on. Rainald has only begun Gods work here and he has much to accomplish, God willing. We know satan isn’t happy about what we are doing so he will throw everything he can at us for us to leave so we continue to pray that no weapon formed against us will prosper and this will be the case as others also join with us in prayer.
So thank you all for your support, your love and most of all your prayers.
Your Sister in Christ,
Jennifer
PS I have just read this to Rainald and he feels that his real condition was not highlighted enough. He was really sick in a lot of agony; he had many, many sleepless nights walking the floor in pain. He has taken so much medicine that he feels that is now poisoning his system even though it is also helping. When the gas tries to escape he burps for hours and this really tires him and hurts. He feels weak from lack of food, and was dehydrated from not drinking. Still at this stage any food bar paw paw makes him cramp so he avoids them. Many times his spirit was so low he didn’t know if he could go on. His arms and hands hurt from all the needles and intravenous medication. Right now he is a little better as he had a good day though tired. How am I going, alright as long as I can do something and as long as I see him getting better. Not so good when he is in pain or getting weaker also it is hard to be making all the decisions especially when they could be critical. I don’t know maybe we should take him south. But that would also be hard as the trip is big and everything down there is foreign. Also would they find out what’s wrong????? He is sick of tests and only wants to get better.
I received this email today.
It is with a heavy heart that I have to share the news about Rainald. Today we were informed that he has two tumours in his left testicles. This sadly brings an end to our time in Malawi as we can not get a full diagnosis here or treatment, so we plan to fly out as soon as we can get a flight which may be not until the 6th October. He also has another complication that of benign malaria which hides in his liver and can surface when conditions are right. This apparently happened in the last few weeks hence the sever gastro intestinal problems. He has to have regular pain relief to manage each day but he is getting by. At present we are still in Lilongwe where we will keep Rainald till the flight out, Daniel will stay with him while Jessica, Dean, Emily and our friend David from Zambia drive to Karonga to pick up our personal items and say goodbye to all our Lusubilo Family. This will be a hard time as all of us are grieving having to leave here. It was only a few weeks ago that we all made the decision to stay another year, now we have to leave and it is a big shock. For us there is only one way to deal with this news and that is to bring it before God and trust he will guide us through the medical maze we are about to enter. We questioned why us? These things happen to other people but not us. Then after much pray and thought the question changed why not me? Each day in our village we see funerals and death go by; each day our neighbours or friends bury someone close to them. They morn, they grieve and then they get on with their lives. Death and illness is as common as life itself. So my thought was that if they can cope with these things daily I can also. For us life is not just about being here on earth but also about having peace with our God who created us and knows our days. The bible says that He will never allow something to happen to us that we can not handle, so therefore God must find us strong enough to weather this storm. I am not saying that Rainald will leave us but what I am saying is that we are ready for anything. I am not saying that it will be easy but I know that we will make it through. This type of condition plagues many and now it is our turn.
So I ask you all to continue to uphold us in prayer, write to us, ring us and talk to us. This will be what we need when we are having a rough day. Also concerning the children we can only get them a flight two weeks after us so they will stay with friends here till the 20th. It will be hard for them to be here while we are in Australia not being able to see their Dad or to know what is happening each day. So pray also for them, they are strong and know we have to leave but this doesn’t mean they will like it. They have made good friends and love this country as much as we do, it will be hard to leave and when it is hard to leave somewhere it is also hard to return to a place you just don't want to be. So if you see them love them and encourage them to be strong, they will need it.
So there you have it our latest news, sorry it is not about some great adventure we went on or how Rainald has made an impact in some village or how our youth bible studies are teaching young people about the Lord. Nevertheless it is what is happening in our lives so goodnight we are off to bed and we will talk again in the morning.
Love Jennifer Rainald Daniel Jessica Dean & Emily Mvula
Please keep this family in your prayers.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Prayer Request
Friends serving overseas on mission have a 4 year old son who has a prolapsed bowel. Please pray for healing and for wisdom for the medical staff and parents as they decide whether to have surgery and where to have the surgery abroad or at home.
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