Kent’s liver biopsy came back positive for cancer, as was suggested by the medical personnel.  They were expecting it to be liver cancer, but that is not the case.  This means that it has metastasized from another place that is unknown, which makes it more serious.

April 26th

As we have sought to be guided by the Lord, we have also seen His hand moving in circumstances without any help from us. We did not know that the head of the Oncology Dept. comes to our hometown hospital.  However, we were asked about transferring our care closer to home and we agreed.  So on Wednesday we met this doctor by only going 12 miles from home instead of 40.

We were very impressed and happy with him in so many ways.  He is very knowledgeable and caring, and explained so many things that we had not known. He fully agreed with our decision about chemotherapy, as the medications chosen would have caused much damage.  He wants to go over all of Kent’s test results and be sure that nothing has been missed. He explained that cancer often has markers that can indicate some other treatments and he wants to be sure that those have been checked.  So we are unsure of where this might lead but we appreciate that he is being very thorough.  We are scheduled to see him again in about 3 weeks. He was amazed that Kent is feeling so well.  We are amazed too and thoroughly enjoy and appreciate this great mercy. Thus we continue on this “unknown path”, that is fully known to God.  We are supported and encouraged by all the prayers on our behalf.

The past couple of weekends were spent at conferences in Iowa and we saw so many of you that are following our blog and praying for us.  We can’t begin to express how much this means to us.  Truly we continually feel your love and care and you have strengthened our “hands in God”.  This helps more than we can express and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  Please continue to pray as we frequently are reminded of our weakness and frailty…….

Update March 12th

We are humbled and full of gratitude for the many that are praying for us.  We keep hearing of more that are praying and it touches our hearts and moves us to tears. We truly believe that the Lord is answering those prayers by giving us these happy days that feel almost “normal”.  We know this can change at any time so are doing our best to enjoy each and every day.  

We humbly thank each one of you from the bottom of our hearts.  We appreciate the prayers, the cards and messages of love and support.  All of these are so meaningful and bring refreshment to our hearts and minds. Please keep them coming!

Pray for Abigail Kelly and the team, they are in Japan from May 11th - 27th.

Our team consists of seven students. We will be traveling with Norman Smith and his daughter
Chloe, missionaries with ABWE. Our trip focus is to encourage, support, and serve the national
churches, pastors, and missionaries in Japan. Some ministries we anticipate are work projects
(such as cleaning churches/church grounds), teaching English as an outreach, singing in churches as a way of encouraging them, and working with internationals. We will come alongside the workers in Japan to love and serve them in any way that we can. I am excited for the opportunity to encourage the believers in Japan who are often tired and alone.

Update: I am fully supported for the mission trip to Japan this spring!  Thank you so much to those who have provided financially.  
Please continue to pray for the team as we prepare and serve together.  

Psalm 37:3-5
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.