Life is Hard, but God is Good

It's been a rough week or so. At the beginning of last week, we all were fighting colds. By Wednesday, Rachel started running a fever. On Friday it was spiking over 104. Saturday, she was in terrible pain on the right side of her chest both front and back and had difficulty breathing. Her temps continued to remain high even though we were giving her meds to bring them down. There is no place here that we felt we could take her and get any real help. After a call to a doctor friend in the states, we determined that we were either dealing with bacterial pneumonia or bronchitis. We couldn't get a definite diagnosis without a chest x-ray and that isn't available until we get to more civilization, a three hour drive. The doctor said to step up her pain meds, start breathing treatments, and switch antibiotics. Saturday was a hard day. By Sunday we were exhausted. On top of the emotional strain, we were getting very little sleep. Some good friends came and got the other kids so Brian and I could get some rest as we took turns caring for Rachel. Following the plan for all the medication, we were giving her something at least every four hours, sometimes every two or even more often. By Sunday afternoon, it looked like the meds and prayer were doing the trick. We kept up the schedule until 1am this morning and then just let her (and ourselves) get some sleep. She did great all night and has had no fever and only minimal pain in her chest. We are rejoicing that God mercifully spared us from further suffering. There were people praying across the globe and He heard and answered us in our time of need.

Last week was also a difficult week with the ministry. We've had some discontent and unfounded complaints with several of the families we serve and some personal attacks from one of the workers directed at us and Maybelline and Jeffery. This, along with the constant stress concerning his dad, on top of not feeling well himself, has pushed Brian to the limit. There were other things too, accidents that just shouldn't have happened and more hold-up in the legal processes to get everything ship-shape for Little Hands that made us feel that Satan has been working overtime to discourage and wear us down. We are reminded that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness. We appreciate so much our family in the Body of Christ all across the states and here in Trujillo covering us in prayer. Even in the midst of all this, we can still see His Hand at work here. So yes, life is hard, but God indeed is good.

A quick update on Brian's dad. He was able to go back to the Spaulding Rehab Hospital since he has had no fever for some time. He is working hard at the various therapies they are doing. It is very hard for him to work since he hasn't been able to use many of those muscles in over a month. We need to pray that he will be making progress so that the insurance will continue to cover the cost for this top notch rehab.