“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”       2 Cor.7:1

My Dear Prayer Warriors,

When I heard of the diagnosis of my third time cancer, my heart was sinking to the bottom of the pit. I need to admit that I did not know what to do, so suddenly, beyond my expectation--fear, helplessness, plans were crashed.  But amazingly, God’s peace was wrapping me at that moment, a voice in my heart instructed me to ask for Urgent Prayers Assistance. Really I could sense that all of you were standing there, kneeling there, lifting your hands in different places to pray for me. You have been my cheerleaders for years and years.  Your constant care and encouragement have assured me we are “one body”. You care of my success, my ministries, my happiness and my suffering. This helped me to have strength and concentrate myself to grasp the promises of God in this difficult time.

Praises (God is good) : Great concern of our stay in Philadelphia without any preparation, right?.  Your prayers were answered.  God knew our needs.

1. Praise the Lord for Mark and Daisy in Philadelphia to lend us their car for these few months while we are here for all the medical check-ups.  They even let us transfer the title so that the car could be insured under Otto’s name. In such a short time, cell phones were lent to us, food was sent to the hospital.
2. Praise the Lord for some brothers and sisters who sacrificed themselves by giving us some financial supports to pay the room in the hotel. Your words of comfort meant so much to us.  It was a very kind and considering suggestion.  Grace did need a private quiet place for the recovery and was more convenient for the Home nurse to come to check her.  Only hotel can have this weekly contract and rate. Thank you for giving us a Royal treat.
3. Praise the Lord for the medical people, the receptionists in the offices of the doctors, the nurses, the doctors, the technologists in different departments.  They were so willing to help.  Some of them even prayed for me.  They knew that I want to go back to the Mission Field.
4. We thank the Lord for the provision of one small missionary apartment in Spruce Street Baptist Church.  They did not know us but they were willing to help us because we belong to this wonderful eternal family.  So we moved out the hotel in March.
5. Praise the Lord for Trinity Chinese Christian Church for their caring by sending us meals. This did help Otto very much. Otherwise he had to stay in the kitchen all day, preparing the meals, washing dishes and cooking again and again. Your food not only satisfied our stomach but also warmed our heart.
6. Praise the Lord for the SIM Mission and the Evangelical seminary in Lima for their kind consideration to let us have a sick leave.  Not only I need Otto’s help in driving me to the doctors, taking care of me but also we need each other in this difficult time.  Though we have not yet had chance to celebrate our 25^th anniversary yet we reconfirmed our wedding vows in the church on that Sunday before I went for my surgery.
7. Praise the Lord for my husband and my children.  Your thoughtfulness of thinking the need of Otto by calling him did encourage him very much.  Physically he was not suffering but his heart was down and suffering too.  Jenel, supported by her husband and in-laws, flew to Philadelphia to stay in the hospital to take care of me in the night  time.  She was such an angel, doing everything to make me feel comfortable.  She also did it for her beloved sister, Jesed.   Your concern was right.  How much did Jesed desire to come to be by our side to support me, take care of me!  She suffered very much.  She could not come.  She was by herself in Montreal, praying, crying, and worrying about my surgery; but Jenel continuously assured me that if Jesed would have been here, she would also try all her effort to take care of me.

Since I cannot breathe very well after the surgery of my lung, forgive me that I write long (SHORT OF AIR IN BREATH, THEN LONG AIR IN PEN).  Really my heart is filled with praises to the Lord and thanks to Him and you.  It did take me great effort to write this update.  I will not write soon.  HA! Ha!

My Health Update

I was discharged after six days in the hospital.  I always have a lot of pain.  I have to take painkillers.  Sometimes I need to take them earlier than the appointed time.  The doctor explained to me that it did take time.  I should have patience.

The medical procedure:- I need to take the painkiller so that I can do the breathing therapy and sleep better.  Actually I do not sleep well.  I feel more pain in the night time than in the day.  Resting, Walking & Learning to breathe are my homework.

I will see the surgeon on 25^th of March.   I will see the Oncologist in May.  A Cat Scan will be scheduled in May before I will see him. 

Please pray for my recovery.  If God permits, we will be back to Peru in June.

Finally we want to extend our deep thanks to all brothers and sisters in the churches who pray for us, send us cards and call us and visit us.  We also want to express our thanks to our co-workers (the Rector and the professors) in the seminary for their support and the co-workers (the Chinese missionaries who are serving faithfully to reach the Chinese in Lima) in the Gospel Center.

May God continue to strengthen our faith so that in good times or bad it will result in proven character.

Much love in Christ, Grace