Dry Dock

Dear Pastors and Churches,

As of this writing we are waiting for news about my upcoming heart valve replacement surgery. I have canceled upcoming Spring meeting and travel plans and have begun the process of trying to find financing for the operation. The Lord has been good and led us to several Doctors and consultants who have helped us with advice and directions. We are praying that we will have all of our finances lined up before we go in the hospital. Special thanks also to Addyston Street Baptist Church where Bro. David Pitman is the pastor. They have taken the generous step of doubling our support while we are in “dry dock” and unable to do any deputation. We are humbled and very grateful to them for this unexpected blessing. Several other churches have asked about helping and this is deeply appreciated but at this time we don’t know what our portion of the bill we be. So far the emergency room and tech fees are about $2000.00 but some of this will be paid for if we qualify for “indigent” status here in Galveston County. (Funny, I never minded being called a pilgrim, but for some reason indigent was a bit humbling.) We have turned in our financials and hopefully within a few days should have an idea of what to expect by way of help from the county.

In order to make sure you have the full picture let me restate what has happened in just the last few weeks. After a few weeks of increasing blood pressure, lack of breath under exertion and pressure in my head and neck I went to the doctor. He heard a “bad” murmur and sent me to the imaging center for x-rays and CT scans. Once those were looked at, within the hour, I was told to get the closest emergency room. After 24 hours of observation it was found that a congenital heart defect coupled by age and weight would mean an immediate valve replacement of my aortic valve. I was told that the operation would have to take place within two months. We were given appointments with the financial department since we have no insurance or any means to pay for the operation which will be somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000 dollars. Since then we have been trying to prove our residence in Galveston County (not easy since we are on deputation and have “lived” in about 15 states since 2008) and our need for financial help. (That part shouldn’t be too hard.) We are now waiting for any approval or denial of our indigent status. We have placed all this in the Lord’s hands for truly we have “no other such a friend or brother” in a time like this. We have always been at God’s disposal but truly feel that reality more now than ever.

I want to say I am sorry to those churches which are presently supporting us, not because you don’t understand about missionaries getting sick but because I have been “deputized” by you to do the work of the Gospel not lie sick in a hospital bed. I feel that the funds you have entrusted us with are being used in a way other than the work of “Going, making disciples and baptizing.” I am praying that my recuperation will be swift and that once repaired with a new heart valve I will be more able to do the work of the ministry which you have allowed me to do on your behalf in Arizona.

Our home church at Santa Fe has been extremely encouraging and helpful. They have made several changes to better accommodate us here on the property as well as praying for us and giving even more of themselves to us their missionaries. Special thanks to Pastor Larry for his leadership and to all the men who came out and put in a new hook-up for the trailer that will allow us to stay here rather than move to an RV park and pay a monthly rental. Also to those members who have picked up some of our bills on their own initiative thank you so much.

We will keep you informed of our progress and status in the upcoming weeks. Please continue to pray and thank you for all who posted those prayers on Facebook and through e-mail. What a blessing to see those once I got out of the emergency room. I cannot express how much it meant to me to think of all the concern and affection evidenced by those comments and well wishes. Don’t ever underestimate how much telling someone you are praying for them can lift a weary heart.