Re: [Beens Prayer Partners] Caleb

Dear friends,

Just a very quick update since I need to get to bed. Caleb's central
line is now out so no more IV medicines. Behavior is the same.
Still feeding through the nose tube but starting to increase quantity
and the doctor wants to set a goal of eating off a spoon within 2
wks, though that's a flexible goal since re-learning to swallow can
take much longer sometimes.

Sarah had a good day - just more trust, peace, hope. I gathered
that's from the Spirit's encouraging her and not specific signs from
Caleb or anything the doctors have said. Keep praying.

Blessings,
robin

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[Beens Prayer Partners] 26/Sept update from Caleb and 2nd note

Dear partners,

I've attached two notes below.  The first, in purple, is a note of specific thoughts or requests from Shawn and Sarah in regards to the day of fasting, set for tomorrow 28/Sept for those of you who've decided to join with us.  The second (in red) is simply an update they sent out yesterday, the 26th of Sept.

Finally,  please keep us, specifically Dan, in prayers.  Our 3 interning families arrived this past Tuesday and there have been some real roller coaster rides trying to sort through things and get them settled, etc. etc. etc.   I'll send more later.  At this time I'd like focus, at least for those fasting, to be on the Gardners and Caleb (yes I know God can handle it all at the same time, but . . . ).  Thanks for serving with us and for standing in the gap!

Blessings,

Robin

Wow.  Thank-you Jeremy for calling for a day of fasting.  We know that some of you have already been doing that and we are really humbled and encouraged. 

 

We did want to share a few things with you.  First of all, today we met with Jenny and Cory; Jenny is the American ICU nurse who was with us during those traumatic hours before leaving Moz.  She did confirm our worst fears when she said that back on that fateful night she peeked in the room after they made Shawn leave, while they were trying to get the breathing tube in Caleb, and that he was blue for quite awhile.  Up to now we never knew for sure if he did have a lack of oxygen so we just held out hope that it was just the sickness and medicine doing this to him.  So we are all the more reminded that we do in fact need a miracle for Caleb to be completely restored. 

 

We have felt incredible grief and sorrow over the last few days, mourning for the sweet little guy that perhaps we will never know again.  God has reminded us, however, that He did save Caleb's life several times over and we know that He has a purpose for Caleb's life.  At times we feel so sad and overwhelmed and tired, but we are so thankful to know Jesus and know He loves us.

 

We feel torn at times in thinking about the future.  On one hand we think that perhaps all of this is leading to a deep pit in order for God to come and dramatically and miraculously restore Caleb.  On the other hand we see this being a sloooowwww road and while Caleb will hopefully recover some we anticipate having a handicapped child for the rest of our lives.  However... we don't want to give in to any despair or unbelief, but aren't sure what to think at this point...  Please pray for clarity of thinking on our part and that we would not lose hope or faith in what Jesus will do in this situation.

 

We are trying to settle in here in South Africa, anticipating we might be here for another month or two or more before Caleb would be ready to fly to the States.  We have no idea how long we will need to stay in the States, and we have no idea if we will ever be able to return to live in Mozambique.  But of course our biggest prayer and concern at this time is for Caleb's health...

 

Thank-you again for praying with us... we love you all so much...

Shawn and Sarah

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello everyone.

 

THANK-YOU for your overwhelming support.  We feel so tired at times yet feel you out there holding up our arms as we all pray to the Father.  Thank-you...

 

What we have learned from the past few days is that no one can say what Caleb will be like in the future.  All we can continue to do is wait and pray.  We are encouraged by tiny good signs each day (his involuntary jerky movements are less each day; his eyes are beginning to focus, if only for a second or two each day; he is being more vocal esp. when upset, etc.).   His eyes were checked and all looks good (although no one can tell if he can see or not since perhaps the brain isn't recording the images correctly).  His ears were checked today and it seems he can not hear out of his right ear.  And again, no one can be sure whether that is permanent hearing loss or temporary.  A neuro-physiotherapist is coming twice a week and teaching us ways to handle him, speak with him, etc.  Perhaps a speech therapist will come who will help him with control of his mouth.  The way things are going now, it will be another week or two before we can really know what's going on, and most likely several months of therapy to regain whatever is possible.  As far as the hospital is concerned, his organs are all functioning quite well, he is completely off of oxygen, and overall he is looking much better.  The goal now is to start increasing his feeds and work towards getting him to eat regularly again, which will take a few more weeks.

 

So at this point we have to continue to wait, pray, wait and pray.  It admittedly is hard to just wait and we long to fast-forward the next month.  We are not sure when we'll be able to travel back to the States, how long we will need to be there, or if we will ever be able to return to Mozambique.  But a recent email from a friend reminded us of the Bible's command to 'Rejoice always, Pray continuously, Be thankful in all circumstances for this is the Lord's will for you in Christ Jesus.'

 

Your emails and support are so encouraging.   We are amazed and comforted knowing so many are praying for Caleb's complete recovery.  Please keep praying with us.  May God be glorified in Caleb's life.

 

the Gardners

[Beens Prayer Partners] Fwd: day of fasting

Hi everyone,  Sarah just sent me this note and asked I forward to everyone in preparation for tomorrow's fast.  

Blessings,

Robin

Begin forwarded message:

From: Shawn & Sarah Gardner <gardnersforgod@msn.com>

Date: September 27, 2007 8:39:20 PM GMT+02:00

To: Been <robin@mozambiquemessages.com>

Subject: day of fasting

Wow.  Thank-you Jeremy for calling for a day of fasting.  We know that some of you have already been doing that and we are really humbled and encouraged. 

 

We did want to share a few things with you.  First of all, today we met with Jenny and Cory; Jenny is the American ICU nurse who was with us during those traumatic hours before leaving Moz.  She did confirm our worst fears when she said that back on that fateful night she peeked in the room after they made Shawn leave, while they were trying to get the breathing tube in Caleb, and that he was blue for quite awhile.  Up to now we never knew for sure if he did have a lack of oxygen so we just held out hope that it was just the sickness and medicine doing this to him.  So we are all the more reminded that we do in fact need a miracle for Caleb to be completely restored. 

 

We have felt incredible grief and sorrow over the last few days, mourning for the sweet little guy that perhaps we will never know again.  God has reminded us, however, that He did save Caleb's life several times over and we know that He has a purpose for Caleb's life.  At times we feel so sad and overwhelmed and tired, but we are so thankful to know Jesus and know He loves us.

 

We feel torn at times in thinking about the future.  On one hand we think that perhaps all of this is leading to a deep pit in order for God to come and dramatically and miraculously restore Caleb.  On the other hand we see this being a sloooowwww road and while Caleb will hopefully recover some we anticipate having a handicapped child for the rest of our lives.  However... we don't want to give in to any despair or unbelief, but aren't sure what to think at this point...  Please pray for clarity of thinking on our part and that we would not lose hope or faith in what Jesus will do in this situation.

 

We are trying to settle in here in South Africa, anticipating we might be here for another month or two or more before Caleb would be ready to fly to the States.  We have no idea how long we will need to stay in the States, and we have no idea if we will ever be able to return to live in Mozambique.  But of course our biggest prayer and concern at this time is for Caleb's health...

 

Thank-you again for praying with us... we love you all so much...

Shawn and Sarah

 

[Beens Prayer Partners] Caleb

Dear Prayer Partners,

You as our prayer partners are very much a part of our ministry, as much so as our teammates here in Moz.  I am asking if you would like to participate with us in the following request from a fellow missionary with GNFA here in Moz.

************

 

Some of you may already be doing this. I would like to propose, however, that as a group we fast and pray for Caleb to be completely restored. This Friday 28th of September we could skip 1-3 meals (depending on your situation) and dedicate our hunger pangs as reminders to lift up Caleb in prayer. As you know, our intercession to the Lord is vital. Let us prepare ourselves for Friday, asking the Lord for ways to intercede and for words to bring before him in the manner of other great intercessors (ie. Moses-changing God's mind several times). Let us be bold in our requests asking repeatedly for what we may not believe possible because with the Lord- everything is possible. Let us request as Thomas did "Help me overcome my unbelief!" So today, Wednesday and Thursday- please prepare yourselves to ask great things, yet again.  May our cries for Caleb's healing be a testimony to our faith.

 

Our God is great!

 

Jeremy

********

  Thank you for considering fasting with us.  

Blessings,

Dan Been

[Beens Prayer Partners] prayer for Caleb, from the Beens

Dear Friends,

Thanks you for all your prayers for our teammates the Gardners.  Here is the latest update.  Please keep praying....and pass this on to your prayer chains....

Dan and Robin Been

Dear friends,

 

Caleb continues the same he has all week-- not responding to anything, eyes not focusing, strange jerky movements of his body and mouth,etc.  The doctors say his liver is still pretty messed up, so after that has a few days to get better, and if all the other body organs seem to be functioning normally, then that will lead everyone to the painful realization that most likely his brain was damaged somehow (whether temporarily from weeks of heavy sedation or permanently due to lack of oxygen or infection or...?).  So it will be a several more days of agonizing waiting before we'll know the state of his future.  The nurses are reminding us to stay positive and to just give him some time and they are all hoping that he will recover, even if he'll need a few weeks of physical therapy or whatever...

 

Dear friends, you have done so much for us already with your prayers and encouragement.  We need a miracle now.  The Lord has allowed Caleb to survive, and with all we've got we are praying that Caleb will have a full life ahead with normal brain function.  The thought of us never knowing that sweet, smily, happy baby again just breaks our hearts. 

 

Please, would you pray fervently that Caleb has no permanent brain damage?

Please, would you also pray for us, as this is a turn that we never expected and it is hitting us hard.

 

Those who hope in the Lord are never without hope...!!!!  He is good all the time. 

 

the Gardners

[Beens Prayer Partners] update on Caleb

Dear friends,

Here's part of a note which came in from Shawn and Sarah today.  Thanks for your prayers!!

Blessings,

Robin

 

Hi everyone.  Thank-you for all your emails, phone calls and prayers during the last month!!  Thank-you for celebrating with us when Caleb was taken off the ventilator!!

 

It is now Saturday so Caleb has been breathing on his own for five days.  He is just getting a little bit of supplemental oxygen but otherwise his lungs are working well and everyone is really happy!!

 

When they took the breathing tube out they also stopped the heavy sedatives that he was receiving (morphine and dormicum).  Caleb is still really sleepy, however, as he still has a bit of the sedatives in his system; also his body is exhausted from all the trauma of the last month.  He is starting to wake up more often but when he does he is agitated, aggresive and his eyes don't really focus on anyone or anything.  We had hoped that by this point we would start recognizing signs of the Caleb that we know, but that hasn't happened yet.  All along the doctors have said it would take a few days for the heavy drugs to clear out of his system, and perhaps he might even experience some withdrawal symptoms from the morphine.  So at this point the doctors are still waiting to get all of the sedatives out of his system; they said that could take a few days longer.  But if after a week off the medicines he continues to not focus, be agitated, etc., then we'll need to start some tests to determine if there was any brain damage.

 

So for now we continue to pray that his body keeps getting stronger and that there is no long-term damage done to any part of his body.  Please continue with us in prayer that Caleb will be completely restored to the happy, healthy baby he was before this illness!!!!!!!!  It is quite shocking and traumatic for us to consider the alternatives, but at this point we are trying not to dwell on those things and instead take all of our fears and worries to the Lord, trusting that He will get us through this next phase as He has gotten us through the past month. 

 

A piece of good news is that the drain coming from his lungs has finally stopped draining so they are going to remove that tube today, Lord-willing.

[Beens Prayer Partners] update on Amy, Caleb, Karunia's neck, etc

> Dear friends,
>
> First of all, we wanted to let you know we made it back safely from
> our trip to S. Africa! Thank you for your prayers in that. We
> greatly enjoyed our time in Jo'burg and the opportunities we had to
> rest, visit with Shawn and Sarah and Chad and Amy and spend time as
> a family.
>
> Amy Westerholm is doing very well. The doctor is extremely pleased
> with how her wounds are healing. Her broken thumb was still
> inflamed and he wasn't as happy about that so she began hand
> therapy this past Tuesday but otherwise she's great. Chad says
> each day she has more and more energy and less pain. Thanks so
> much for your prayers!!!!
>
> Caleb is doing remarkably well since they took him off the
> ventilator on Monday afternoon. He's continued to breathe well on
> his own and the swelling has gone way down, his heart and lungs are
> good, and they've weaned him off the morphine and sedatives now.
> With that said, we'd like to ask you to pray that he would now wake
> up! He has opened his eyes a time or two but really has not woken
> up. Doctors are not overly concerned at this point - afterall he
> was sedated for over 3 wks, however now that he's not on those
> medicines he does need to wake up and doctors want that to happen
> within the next two days (though not said I guess at that point
> they would begin to be concerned). Please pray that he would wake
> up very soon.
>
> Finally I mentioned before (I think) that Dan and I felt in our
> unprofessional opinion that the x-rays we had made of Karunia's
> back/neck looked very straight. Well we sent those off to the
> doctor in Malawi who did her neck surgery and have heard back from
> him that indeed it is now straight! We praise the Lord for his
> blessing in this - it's a real answer to prayer!
>
> Thanks so much for your partnership. We appreciate you.
>
> Blessings,
> robin

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[Beens Prayer Partners] update on Amy, Caleb, Karunia's back, etc

Dear friends,

First of all, we wanted to let you know we made it back safely from
our trip to S. Africa! Thank you for your prayers in that. We
greatly enjoyed our time in Jo'burg and the opportunities we had to
rest, visit with Shawn and Sarah and Chad and Amy and spend time as a
family.

Amy Westerholm is doing very well. The doctor is extremely pleased
with how her wounds are healing. Her broken thumb was still inflamed
and he wasn't as happy about that so she began hand therapy this past
Tuesday but otherwise she's great. Chad says each day she has more
and more energy and less pain. Thanks so much for your prayers!!!!

Caleb is doing remarkably well since they took him off the ventilator
on Monday afternoon. He's continued to breathe well on his own and
the swelling has gone way down, his heart and lungs are good, and
they've weaned him off the morphine and sedatives now. With that
said, we'd like to ask you to pray that he would now wake up! He
has opened his eyes a time or two but really has not woken up.
Doctors are not overly concerned at this point - afterall he was
sedated for over 3 wks, however now that he's not on those medicines
he does need to wake up and doctors want that to happen within the
next two days (though not said I guess at that point they would begin
to be concerned). Please pray that he would wake up very soon.

Finally I mentioned before (I think) that Dan and I felt in our
unprofessional opinion that the x-rays we had made of Karunia's back/
neck looked very straight. Well we sent those off to the doctor in
Malawi who did her neck surgery and have heard back from him that
indeed it is now straight! We praise the Lord for his blessing in
this - it's a real answer to prayer!

Thanks so much for your partnership. We appreciate you.

Blessings,
robin

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[Beens Prayer Partners] tube out!!!

Dear friends,

To let you know, the tube is now out and Caleb is doing fairly well.
I'm not sure of all the details but here is what I do know:

The tube is out
He is breathing on his own and doing okay with that
The ENT doctor says it doesn't appear as if his esophagus is damaged
which was a big question mark
He does have a severe bacterial infection in his throat - not a huge
issue for him due to all the medicines he's on and they already knew
about it but they're having to be careful not to infect others with
it (they didn't do the surgery in the O.R. afterall b/c they didn't
want to contaminate the room
Dan thinks they're going to be trying to wean him off the morphine
and the sedation medications slowly over the next couple days (will
get more detail on that later)

Thanks for your prayers and please do continue to pray. This is a
huge step in the right direction but we need to pray all continues to
go well and that he doesn't wear out breathing on his own and
therefore regress. I'll keep you updated as I know things.

Blessings,
Robin

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[Beens Prayer Partners] Caleb in surgery

Dear friends,

Many of you won't get this until things are over but I wanted to let
you know that doctors decided this morning they were going to try and
remove Caleb from the respirator today. Saturday and Sunday were
fairly stable days after Friday's setback and the lungs themselves
are much better. Doctors feel many of these setback problems could
be alleviated if they could get him off the sedation so . . . they
don't know if it'll work but are going to try. He should be in
surgery now. Will let you know when I know something;

Blessings,
Robin

PS - we fly back to Maputo this evening and then on to Nampula
tomorrow morning so please pray for our safety in travel as well.

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[Beens Prayer Partners] Fwd: Caleb struggling

Dear friends,

We saw Shawn and Sarah yesterday and got to visit for a while.  Overall they are doing well but understandably are struggling some.   Below is their latest e-mail update which they sent out this evening at 5pm.  We've talked with them since then so after their e-mail I'll give the tiny bit of further information that we know.  Thank you for your prayers; keep it up.

Begin forwarded message:

From: Shawn & Sarah Gardner <gardnersforgod@msn.com>

Date: September 14, 2007 5:01:37 PM GMT+02:00

To: <thesmyfam@msn.com>, <dan.field@juno.com>, <rmloring@juno.com>, <jdsdms@juno.com>, <amberlin4@juno.com>, <rostvit@juno.com>, <smithsinmoz@hotmail.com>, <dhulseymoz@teledata.mz>, <holtoncrew@gmail.com>, <rustyandann@gmail.com>, <robin@mozambiquemessages.com>, <deoliveiras@yahoo.com>, <aaronandmika@hotmail.com>, <cawesterholm@hotmail.com>, <africahowells@yahoo.com>, <jacobjaynie@goodnewsforafrica.org>

Subject: Caleb struggling

Hello everybody,

 

Once again, after an apparent improvement, Caleb's condition has developed a new complication. It's getting more and more difficult for me to say what is wrong with him, what the doctors are doing and what is going to happen. He is currently on 7 antibiotics, 3 types of sedatives, 2 heart medicines . There is a sensitive balancing act being performed that I can't quite understand. He has been on a ventilator, sedatives and antibiotics for 3 weeks, Many times they've brought him down on the ventilator and sedatives (those are the times we write all these positive, hopeful messages. However, it seems that what they are attempting to do in those times is to wean him off and see how he breathes and how his heart deals with being off the oxygen supply. Whenever they do that he does fairly well for a time, but then weakens. When the doctors inspect his record they are not satisfied that they can extubate (take his oxygen off) without problems. They don't want to risk taking the tube out of him feeding his oxygen until they are sure that he'll breathe well and strongly without it. What complicates the situation is that he is a one year old. So, he cannot tolerate an oxygen tube in his nose and throat. If he were not sedated he would try to pull it out. The sedation, however, disables him from being an active participant in his own recovery. I mean, he cannot sit up, nor move, nor prove his own ability to breathe while awake. Now what is the new critical development is that there is a large quantity of bloody fluid being produced between the outer tissue of his lungs and the inner tissue of his rib cage. This has been an issue for about 5 days. At first the fluid was mostly yellowish with a little blood. This morning he was laboring to breath. When they increased his oxygen he still labored. He was more swollen and he was pale. After physiotherapy little to no fluid was draining out the tube in the side of his chest. They thought the tube might be obstructed. So, just a few hours ago they put a new tube in him. He drained a lot out quickly, but it was almost all blood. The somewhat dissappointing thing is that they don't know what is causing the bleeding. They seem sure that it is coming from the lungs though. They are taking x-rays right now to try to get a look. Meanwhile they've added treatment for Tuberculosis and that ,it seems, because they are somewhat baffled themselves and want to cover all bases. I believe he's already had a TB test when he arrived, but maybe it is elusive... I don't really know.

 

Sarah and I are getting a little discouraged. We'll be moving to another place to stay tomorrow. For the last 2 weeks we've been in a one bedroom cottage that a family has generously allowed us to stay in for free, but we're seeing that we are going to be here a while and we would like to move into another cottage. We will have to pay $40/day, but we will have two bedrooms and only be 5 minutes from the hospital.

 

I know you are all praying, so thank you for your continued prayers. When this is all over we have decided to come back to the States for a few months to regroup. Caleb will obviously need some sufficient recovery time and we will need some recovery too. From the beginning until now we continue to be overwhelmed by how aggressively and persistently this illness is taking its toll on Caleb. The only thing that has kept us with hope and peace has been how aggressively and persistently the Body of Christ has lifted Caleb and us up to the Father and given to meet all our needs as they have arisen.

 

We've had some trouble using email the last two days. I think the problem is fixed now. We'll be writing when we know more.

 

Thank you,

 

Shawn

Okay, we talked with Shawn and Sarah this evening about 8pm.  The further news to report isn't much but . . . after draining off so much of the above mentioned fluid the doctors were able to take further x-rays (they apparently tried before the fluid was removed and couldn't get a good picture - things were all cloudy.  Anyway, the lung itself looks okay which is good news.  With that said, the lung specialist is very baffled as to what is going on and is very concerned.  Treatment for TB is continuing (don't know if they've gotten a positive test on that now or not, though the previous test was negative.  Apparently in theory he could have been exposed to the TB and it was just laying dormant until with the weakened immune system it's now showing itself).  Again the doctor isn't sure. With that said, all the nurses feel that this treatment will clear up a lot of the problems.  I realize that isn't much of a further update.  We'll do our best to keep you updated as we know more.  For certain we will see them tomorrow - either here or there.

Blessings,

Robin

[Beens Prayer Partners] Fwd: Update on Caleb

Dear friends,

Here's the latest on Caleb.   We should arrive in Jo'burg this evening and will probably see Gardners sometime tomorrow (we were supposed to leave early this morning however in packing up Dan realized his passport was missing.  Big stress but thankfully short-lived.  We did miss the morning plane but there were openings on the evening flight, the embassy said they could issue a temporary "emergency" visa but then he found his - left at the money exchange bureau 2 days ago (the only place it could have possibly been).  We're ready to be off, but a blessing in the meantime is we hooked up for a quick visit with Charlie Delaney, a good mentor/friend of ours from our days at CBC; he's newly arrived in town to visit his daughter and grandkids who recently  moved to Maputo.  In the interim we had a nice visit with Charlie and Shanda!

Blessings,

Robin

Begin forwarded message:

From: Shawn & Sarah Gardner <gardnersforgod@msn.com>

Date: September 12, 2007 10:36:14 AM GMT+02:00

To: <thesmyfam@msn.com>, <dan.field@juno.com>, <rmloring@juno.com>, <jdsdms@juno.com>, <amberlin4@juno.com>, <rostvit@juno.com>, <smithsinmoz@hotmail.com>, <dhulseymoz@teledata.mz>, <holtoncrew@gmail.com>, <rustyandann@gmail.com>, <robin@mozambiquemessages.com>, <deoliveiras@yahoo.com>, <aaronandmika@hotmail.com>, <cawesterholm@hotmail.com>, <africahowells@yahoo.com>, <jacobjaynie@goodnewsforafrica.org>

Subject: Update on Caleb

Dear friends,

 

We are so thankful to report that Caleb is doing better these last few days.  They put  drain in his side and have drained out quite a bit of fluid, fluid that was causing lots of internal problems, not to mention lots of external swelling.  Within hours of starting the drain he already looked a lot better.  From the lung x-rays it's clear that the pneumonia is finally under control.  The doctors are very happy with his progress and are once again starting to wean him from the ventilator and sedation.  Caleb is starting to wake up every few hours but is still very groggy. He goes right back to sleep.

 

The doctors are as anxious as we are to get him off the ventilator, but we just need to wait a bit longer until the infection is completely under control and the drainage from his side has stopped.  So it will still be a few more days before this next big step.  When they decide the time is right they will pull out his breathing tube in the operating room with an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor there to examine his airway. that way if there are any complications, like his airway closing again or Caleb doesn't resume breathing on his own well enough, then they can reinsert the tube. There is apparently no sure way of knowing what the condition of that airway is until they extract the tube. That's why they will do an inspection by a specialist at that time.

 

The rest of the family is doing well. We are trying to keep the kids entertained as we drag them around with us. Yesterday, Sarah's mother, Pam, took the watch with Caleb and Sarah and I took Ben and Olivia to a bird garden. They had a great time.

 

Well, there's not too much more to report now. We'll keep you all up to date when Caleb finally starts to come off sedation.

 

Thank you for your prayers and many expressions of love throughout the last few weeks.

 

Shawn

[Beens Prayer Partners] updates from Chad on Amy and Shawn on Caleb

Dear friends,

We arrived safely in Maputo last night.  Dan's managed to purchase the books he needed for the "library" they'll open at the center & has even found out he can get some books for the development farm that they've been searching for in vain for quite a while.  He's excited about.  We had x-rays made on Karunia and to our very untrained eye it looks like her spine has almost completely straightened out.  What a blessing that would be, if the surgery she had in July has eliminated any "scoliosis" as well.  We'll send the x-rays to the doctor in Malawi soon to see what he thinks!  This evening we were able to gather with colleagues who work here in Maputo and had a nice visit with them.  Tomorrow (Tuesday) Dan will pick up these development farm books and Robin will have a pre-natal appointment.  On Wed. morning early we'll head on to Jo'burg to rest, relax and get together at some point with the Gardners a time or two or ???  

Blessings,

Robin

Friends and Family,

Amy has just been discharged from the hospital and is doing well.  She has a follow up appointment on Tuesday.  The doctor wants her to stay here in South Africa for another two to three weeks, so we are getting comfortable here.  Chad

-------------------------

Hello everyone,

We appreciate everyone's prayers, encouragements, and donations with regard to Caleb. This Sunday morning we went to worship at a Methodist Church that has helped us with a place to stay and a vehicle. They have truly been servants of Christ to us in all of this.

When we left the Church we immediately went to the hospital to see Caleb. The doctors have been rigorously taking counsel and combating what seems to us like a never-ending chain of new staff infections. Yesterday I (Shawn) was with Caleb and he looked quite swollen, but the blood tests were indicating that his infection was decreasing. The swelling, as well as I can understand, is due to all the fluid feeding and medication and his immobility from sedation. It has been two weeks exactly now and he has been laying in a bed all that time sedated. Nonetheless they were entertaining the possibility of removing his oxygen line on Monday.

When we arrived today, Sunday, however, it was a bit disappointing. Caleb had a bad night. He had a high fever last night and his heart rate appears to be going down. They brought in a cardiologist this morning who looked for infection in his heart, but thankfully did not find anything. His heart is weakened, however, from all the infections.  Numerous times they've eliminated possible cause after possible cause of infection. They have him on many different antibiotics in order to cover the widest possible range of infections.

The doctor told us today that they will be giving him some other medication to stimulate his heart in order to beat stronger. They also will be trying to drain some of the fluid collecting around his organs in order to relieve the swelling and analyze the fluid. And of course they are continually trying to combat elusive infections.

So, today we're a little down. It's been two weeks and still no escape from the pursuit of infection. We just wait, wonder, trust, hope, and attend to the little affairs that occupy our days. We've been wrestling with what exactly to do immediately after his recovery and then what to do after that. We're riding the rapids on the currents of faith between the rocks of the doubts and fears of the flesh. This is such a formational time in our journey with God. We have questions bouncing around in our minds all the time… But we'll save all of that for a future email.

For now, we humbly ask your continued prayers for Caleb's complete recovery.  And join us in praising God for all He has done so far to  bless us.

the Gardners

 

[Beens Prayer Partners] September's prayer letter

Dear Partners                                                               8 September 2007

 

Sorry this letter is a bit late in coming out; as most of you know, the last few weeks have been extremely busy and rather stressful as well.

 

Each month as I prepare to type a new prayer newsletter I always glance at the previous month's to see what was going on.  It's a good reminder to me to see the things God has done and it also helps me keep you current on things I might have mentioned and forgotten.  Anyway, in August's letter I was talking about all the projects and plans which are coming together and about to start and how excited we were/are for those things.  I then said, "We truly believe that many great things are about to happen, not because of us but because of who He is and what He is going to do.   Of course when things are advancing for the kingdom we know that Satan is not happy and will try to thwart things."  Goodness, does that seem like what he's been trying to do.

 

Quickly, and briefly for those who don't know, on the 25th of August our team, frantically arranged to medi-vac out the 1 year old son of our teammates, Shawn and Sarah Gardner who had fallen gravely ill with what has now been determined to have been severe croup, pneumonia, and a blood infection.  As of today he is still in the ICU in S. Africa.  Apart from that event and it's surrounding stress, it has removed Shawn and Sarah from the ministry picture here in Nampula for the time being and therefore Dan is having to pick up a heavier ministry load as we continue to move forward with those things about to start.  We are not complaining, just stating a fact. 

 

We rejoice that our God can supply all our needs; that He can supply all the strength and endurance we need to complete the work He's called us to.  We rejoice that He is more powerful than anything the enemy can throw our direction.  That though we would not have chosen for any of these events to occur, He knew they were going to occur and even knew the timing of it all.  We trust that He will carry us and Shawn and Sarah and our national partners here through these events.  We trust that because this is His work and we are only the tools or vessels He's using to carry this out that there will be "success" and He will receive the glory as people here are trained and discipled to become more Christ like and are equipped to impart that training and discipling on to others!

 

Last month we asked you to pray for several things so let me give you the update on that. 

 

·      Construction has begun at the center now.  The red tape hasn't actually cleared, in fact a "fine" was levied today for starting without the permit, but the contractor had told us to go ahead and begin since we've been trying since the 1st of the year to get things cleared and its really the municipal council that's at fault.  He'll take care of this fine issue and most likely the red tape will now be cleared.  Guess that's still a part request but also a praise to see something happening.

·      Rural interns are arriving in the city on Sept 22 and Sept 25 as the internship program is set to begin.  Houses have been rented and basic furniture purchased to get them set up.  This again is a continued prayer – for these families to settle into city life and for the details of school for the kids, etc. to be worked out, but it's also a big praise as this 2 year, daily mentoring/internship is set to begin.

·      Gito and Esteria made the trip to Maputo this month so she could be checked out at the heart institute.  Doctors there said there is nothing wrong with her heart and feel the problem is more gastro related.  We praise the Lord for this for while there is still some questions regarding the problems she's had, gastro issues should be much easier to treat than heart problems.

·      We have also made a decision regarding where to go to have the baby.  We're currently planning to head south to Maputo (remaining in Mozambique).  Dan's cousin will arrive here on the 14th of December to help out with the other kids and keep them when we need to go deliver.  We praise God for this provision and look forward to seeing Rhonda again.  As another blessing, we are currently planning that Robin's mom will come over in early January, about the time Rhonda is leaving, to travel back to Nampula with us and help us settle back in to life there.

 

Please continue to pray for the above issues as well as the following:

·      Continue to pray for Caleb's healing.  If the fevers stay down then doctors may try to remove the ventilator on Monday the 10th but it's all dependent on his fevers and infections.  Pray for peace of mind for Shawn and Sarah and for wisdom as they make decisions on next steps. 

·      Pray for another teammate, Amy Westerholm, as she was medi-vac'd to S. Africa about a wk ago after rolling her car.  She is doing well – has undergone a couple "surgeries" to clean out wounds and be re-stitched and is expected to be released from the hospital sometime this week.  They will stay in S. Africa a couple more wks most likely, as there is still some follow-up that will need to be done. 

·      Pray for organization for Dan as he balances the greater ministry loads and for Robin and the kids as they try to help him as much as possible.

·      We are stepping out quickly tomorrow afternoon to gain a time of rest and renewal before things continue to rain down.  We'll head to Maputo to get a couple ministry/medical things done and then on to Johannesburg, S. Africa for a few days to relax and have fun.  While there we'll connect up with Gardners and get to visit a touch with them as well.  Pray for safety in travel (tomorrow and a return on the 17th) and that it would be a time of rest and we'd come back ready to hit the ground running!

 

 

Thanks so much for sharing in a part of our ministry.  We appreciate each of you.

 

Blessings,

Robin and Dan

[Beens Prayer Partners] Fwd: Sept.5 update on Caleb from Shawn

Dear friends,

Here is an update Shawn sent out on Wednesday (yesterday).   The only other comments I've heard (today) is doctors won't consider taking him off the respirator until all fevers are gone completely (they've actually been higher lately) and the new infection is cleared up.  Keep praying.  

I don't have any new news on Amy really.  I think tomorrow they're set to restitch her head wounds (someone said to clean them once again as there was still glass there, but I haven't heard that from Chad).  Continue to pray for her too.  I think they're hoping she can leave the hospital next wk sometime but I haven't heard the latest on that.

Blessings,

Robin

---

From: Shawn Gardner

To: Shawn & Sarah Gardner

Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 6:15 PM

Subject: Sept.5 update on Caleb

Dear friends and family,

 

Caleb is still in ICU. Yesterday was a bit of a valley in the hill-valley-hill-valley road to recovery. He had a fever, was pale, and actually had another little seizure yesterday afternoon. The staff x-rayed, checked blood, took temperatures and called the doctor. The doctor made a number of adjustments to his medication and oxygen. He added another antibiotic and is following a plan to eliminate all other possible sources of infection. He is still not out of the woods, so to speak. Today he still has a fever so they are still working to eliminate all possible sources of infection. We asked the doctors about STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS MRSA on the second day that I arrived and they said they had already been treating him for that possibility. The doctor has mentioned that sometimes infection may reside in or around the oxygen tubes or IV ports and the antibiotics may not be invading those areas. I'm not too clear on that, but from what he says I'm sort of imagining like infection may have crept inside these tubes and the antibiotic treatment circulating through his blood doesn't actually enter the tubes to combat infection there. Next time I see him I will try to get more clear on that. Obviously, though, since he is telling us these things we're relying on the fact that he is more informed than we are about the matter and will be doing whatever is needed to remedy the situation. We obviously were saddened by the setback, but the doctor didn't seem to indicate that this is something really out of the ordinary or drastically negative. In fact, he reminded us of what he said in the beginning: that Caleb's recovery would be marked by some hills and valleys, but that those hills and valleys would chart out a progression towards improvement. That is where he sees this event; as a valley in the progression towards improvement.

 

So, we are still just waiting and praying. We are so anxious to have him back in our family, smiling, laughing, crawling and getting into everything. Please continue to pray with us. Pray that his infections would all clear and that they may soon be able to take his oxygen tube out. He would then be able to come off of much of the sedation and open his eyes. Pray for the doctors and nurses caring for him to have clarity and skill. They are excellent professionals and are doing an excellent job, but it is a stressful job that requires a lot of concentration and comprehension.  

 

I remember once reading that the Psalms could all virtually be categorized into three categories: orientation, disorientation and reorientation. The reader of the Psalms could thus acquisition the psalms according to his current circumstances in life and always find psalms that resonate with his/her experience. That made a lot of sense to me. We are all always going through periods that could fall into one of those three categories. Ironically, in this time of seeming disorientation I sense the most resonance with those that seem to me to be psalms of reorientation. Perhaps it is because of what Helen Keller writes in her reflections on life (whose book happened to be at the guest home where we are staying): "...suffering and death are the great teachers of mankind." Of course this truth was evident to the prophets and apostles long ago (Heb. 5:8, 2 Cor. 1:8-9, etc.). So, though we still feel a bit disoriented, we are becoming quite re-oriented in several areas of our lives through this.

 

Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens, and your strong purpose is as high as the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judging is like the great deep; O Lord, you give life to man and beast. How good is your loving mercy, O God! the children of men take cover under the shade of your wings. The delights of your house will be showered on them; you will give them drink from the river of your pleasures. For with you is the fountain of life: in your light we will see light. O let there b