We had 48 hours of victories for Flower-girl and are so relieved. The story of this past week is long and I am not sure when or if I will write it down. Right now we are a bit too tired to try, but perhaps in the future we will document the grace, faith and support this past week held.
There were three times the past week if I asked the doctors if I should be scared and three times they answered yes with varying degrees of severity. We would like to thank each of you that prayed so faithfully for us. We are overwhelmed by the number of people who prayed, in the scariest moments we know it was the Grace of God that upheld us for each moment. Thank you.
We are “officially” naming what Flower-girl has struggled with. We have been so silent about what is wrong because we haven’t been sure. Just this past week Flower-girl had 8 IV’s put in, 5 blood draws, two sputum test, a TB blood test, a high contrast CT, two ultrasounds, four stool/urine samples and a chest x-ray. She is a real trooper. She was battling so many things her symptoms were hard to pinpoint. Our infectious disease doctor though is pretty confident that Flower-girl had, amebias, giardia, and possible shigella (we may never know). The bigger issues were she had antibiotic resistant typhoid (which responded finally to a brand new antibiotic that is quite strong and must be administered via iv) in addition to Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Flower-girl was vaccinated for typhoid and was on malarial prophylaxis. A simple google search will tell you that we believe God was merciful in the timing of her illnesses as well as the swiftness to our doctor in responding with appropriate treatment. What all this means is that we are so grateful that Flower-girl is feeling better, overwhelmed by His mercies and praying that all of this will be used for His glory in her life, our lives, the lives of those we have come in contact with.
There are layers of processing that need to take place as we process through this past week (well past three really), cultural, emotional, spiritual, and physical. Some I may do here most will probably be in private. A few thoughts I wanted to share in gratitude for you, our team who has faithfully served with us and prayed for us this past week.
The goodness of God is never changing had this blog been to share sad news or even had God chosen to call our Flower-girl home his goodness would remain. The very character of God doesn’t change in sickness or in health His goodness is the one thing we know to be true when circumstances quickly change.
Our children belong to the Lord. We trust him to write their life stories and guide them along it. Sometimes we cry out in anguish at the turns in the path but we cry to a God that is good and loves them more then we do.
Our choice to follow God where He led us we knew involved “risk”. We have never regretted saying yes in obedience to Him and moving to South Sudan. He knows the future and holds our family in His hands. The story He is writing for us and our children has always been His and we rejoice that we can be a part of what He is doing. This doesn’t mean we didn’t cry out in frustration or wrestle with feelings of guilt just that we were able to identify these as spiritual attacks and claim scriptural truths over Flower-girl.
The final detail is that we are in the hospital until the course of antibiotics is completed. The antibiotic she needs is only available in IV form and must be given three times a day. She is still struggling a bit with body temperature regulation so it is good to be there to finish the course of treatment. Practically this means another 5 “ish” days. This also means that I, Abuk, will miss all or most of our spiritual renewal conference with our team. I will not pretend this doesn’t make me sad. I really “needed” this time of refreshment but our God is so faithful He knows what we need and none of this is a surprise to Him. I am sure He will sustain and refresh in ways that are just what I need this even though different then I had hoped.
Your faithful prayers have upheld and sustained us. Thanks for praying to the healer of our body and souls we give God the glory for the healing he is doing in our little Flower-girl. We are deeply grateful.
PS updates through the week can be found on our facebook page (no hospital internet so posting to facebook via our phone is the simplest way to keep folks informed)
Thanks for standing alongside us we are so grateful for you (if you are reading this will you leave a comment letting us know who you are and that you prayed? We’d love to thank God for you and see the army God used to surround us at this time. Please share how you knew to pray for us if we don’t know you too. THANK YOU!)
THank you for sharing your story… We have been praying for you from Maine. Our two oldest are preparing to go with Teen Missions this summer.. One to South Africa he is 11.. and one to Belize he is 10. We trust God has a plan for them and it is helpful to read and pray for your family. May God continue to provide healing for your family! Love and Prayers from Maine.
Amy,
We’ve continued to lift your family, and especially sweet Rose, up in prayer. Thank you for this beautiful post about the character of God. He IS trustworthy in everything and it’s a blessing to read how your family is trusting Him. We continue to pray for you guys.
As I read I thought, you know, maybe God wants to give you an even better spiritual retreat, one with just you and Rose and Him, for the next 5ish days! 🙂
We love you guys!
I am glad to hear that Rose has improved. I hope that she continues to feel better.
So glad Rose is feeling better! Hope you all can get some much needed rest!!
Hi Abuk & Family,
Brian and I have been praying for you, the Pampe Bible Study prayed for you on Wednesday night, everyone at Grace in Auburn has been praying for you. Thank you for your shining testimony. Praise the LORD that R– is feeling better.
Love,
Jackie
Praise God that R– is doing better! We will continue to pray for her speedy recovery and for strength for both her and you, Abuk (and J– and the rest of the family as they deal with these events). I appreciate you being vulnerable with how you struggled with human emotions even though you know that God is in control. It was a good reminder of how frail and broken we are and how great HE is. Thanks for the encouragement through your story.
Our small group continues to lift your family in prayer. Compassion Saturday is coming up and I can\’t believe it\’s been a year since we tackled your house! We are now gathering goodies for a care package. Looking forward to continued good news from you!
Words are not enough to describe how thankful I am for God’s healng, provision and comfort for you. I have been praying for not only your family but, for the family back in the States that are sturggling as well. Eveything you said is true and God will truly bring you through this and always.
Praise God for his goodness that is constant no matter what happens. And I know you wrote that, having experienced the loss of a child, too, and can testify to it’s truth. Bless you.
Continuing to keep you lifted up in prayer. So thankful that God has you so tightly in his grasp. Loving on you and your precious family from back home 🙂 We’ve all prayed over you at MOPS and we all are holding Rose in prayer. Love Lindsay
First Abuk I want to say that I am so happy to hear that R– is doing better. Every Sunday listening to your Father-In-Law Pastor Ben fight back tears when talking about her broke my heart. We are Praising God our mighty & faithful healer with you. Your continued obedience to Him & His plan is an inspiration to many. God will use this for His glory in the lives of so many, keep following Him & know that we will continue to Pray for all of you.
Blessings,
Sherrell
I’ve been praying for you little Miss Rose, sometimes all night long….my friends met to pray for you….my two Bible study groups prayed for you…..our church grouped into small prayer circles Sunday morning and lifted our voices to the throne of God on your behalf. God is good….ALL THE TIME, no matter what happens in our lives, as our lives belong to HIM. To be able to call out to His mighty name and climb up into His Almighty, loving arms is a joy and comfort, to be able to lay all our requests….ALL of our requests confidently at His feet…to KNOW that He cares and has a perfect plan and knows best for us. It is delightful to praise you for all that is happening in Rose’s body Lord and we DO thank you….but, it is a beautiful and amazing and faith building thing, indeed to read the post above and know that the Cross family would praise your name even if Rose didn’t respond to the medication. Psalm 92:1-2, 4-5
I am so thankful the Rose is better. Thankfully, God only gives us what we can handle and when we can handle it.
What a beautiful thought that He writes the story of our lives. He will give you peace and rest.
A very good friend of mine, Diane, is suffering from pancreatic cancer and only has a few months. I will really miss her. I will see her today and your thoughts have helped me.
Thank you
We have been praying for Rosemary and for your family, dear Amie. Love you lots and trusting God with your precious lives.
J–‘s entire Weyerhaeuser family has you in our prayers. I am glad R– is feeling better. Let us all hope they get all of these issues under control.
Hi Abuk,
I have been moved to pray for R–, and your family, since seeing Jenae’s posts.
I join you in praising the Lord for the healing in R–‘s body.
This is a beautiful post of your strength and faith, and of course in turn encourages me in my faith, and leaves me standing looking up in awe at our Lord.
I am a good friend of Andrea C. & Jill E. 🙂
God bless you, and the family.
Love,
Megan
I am a member of FB Eugene and have joined our church family in praying for your family in this time of great trial. Your courage is proof of His hand on your lives and I pray peace, answers and swift healing for little Rose. He is with you and His is able! Hugs from Eugene!
Praise be to God for the wonders He performs not only in our physical bodies but within our hearts. I know He has been glorified. We continue to pray for your family.
Nels, Thomas and I continue to pray for all of you. We know this affects you and J–, as well as D–, W– and PJ. Mariah and Jazz prayed with me at our co op. You are in the front of our minds constantly. Praise God for His abundant mercies!
All your CC family is praying for Rose! Thank you God for your faithfulness!!
I was so touched by your words a couple of days ago, when you said as you do here that Rose’s life story was not yours to write, but God’s. I would that all parents knew that in their bones, because we don’t raise our kids well if we don’t walk in faith and love, and that requires risk wherever you are. I still have to learn this well, but I am glad that you as a younger sister are able to put your finger on what it is key for you to know. Love you guys!
~ Melody H
First of all, praises that R– is on the road to recovery. We prayed, and prayed, and prayed. I don\’t know if a little girl ever had so many people praying for her everywhere and all the time. She was on the hearts of so many constantly. And thank you again, Abuk, for journaling so eloquently your struggles, emotions, and victories through this traumatic experience. As I started reading, you said it would be brief and that you would try to write at a later time if you could after you\’ve had more time to process, and then there was just more and more and more. I love the way your words just pour out–such a ministry you have to others when you document the goodness of God in the midst of such trials. I pray that God will quickly put the six you back together for some much needed bonding, reacquainting, loving, hugging, kissing, refreshing tiime. We love guys.
We continue to pray for all of you. Thank you for allowing us to stand with you.
I am so happy to hear Rose is feeling better!! We have been praying for you and John and Rose for weeks! My husband our kids and I all go to grace and attend Mops so We have been praying for you from the start…
Our family from Hawaii all the way to Germany and everywhere in between have been lifting your family up. And are so happy to hear that God has been removing the sickness from Rose! We all will continue to pray for her until she is back with her family and hospital free!!
God bless.
The Rieskamp, Tuttle, Kleiner, Bronson, Fetters, and more Family
Praying for you always, dear Abuk. Love you all so much!
I’m so thankful to read that Rose is on her way to recovery. What an answer to prayer! I will continue to pray that you will be given the rest and refreshment that God has for you and for strength for your journey ahead.
Our God is awesome in power and He indeed is a healer. We have been praying and will continue to pray for her. What an amazing testimony she will have to share as she grows in the Lord. Be encouraged Abuk and J–. \\\”God has a plan and it is good\\\”.
Ann
You guys are on our minds constantly and we pray for you all the time. I’ve been praying for you and J– and your strength to continue to be such fantastic parents even though I know you must be exhausted and drained. And praying for all the children that God would keep them in his hands. We love you guys!
I’m so thankful to hear that Rosemary is better. Will continue to pray for her, and also especially for you, Abuk, as you process and wrestle with all that has happened, and grieve the loss of the expected time of renewal. You are so loved, friend; I wish I could hug you right now.
Oh Ami, rejoicing with you!! The Holy Spirit woke me up in the middle of the night last Friday night to pray for you…and Rose. But specifically for you. I was crushed by the weight of importance to pray specifically for YOU…that you be strengthened by His power and grace to sustain whatever was coming. I had no idea Rose was about to go back in to the hospital though my spirit was telling me YOU were about to be tested to the limits of human endurance. I was overwhelmed by sadness yet encouraged to realized I was truly praying with a purpose even though I didn’t know what for or why. Imagine my feelings when I woke up to the FB news Rose was back in the hospital and possibly just “hanging in there”. The spirit HAD impressed that upon me the night before…letting me know I really needed to pray for YOU, Ami, along with Rose.
Many are with you Ami, as you know. We are all so proud of you for being such an obedient servant of God!!
Love You,
Juli
Oops! Can’t believe I didn’t add the “e” to your name…and here I was just telling a friend to drop the “e” at the end of my name!
Jui
Hi J– and Abuk and kids…..
We are Kurt and Becky Howell and we attend FBC in Eugene, Oregon. Last year we took in a sibling group of four and will be finalizing our Guardianship this summer. We will be homeschooling this next year and have selected your family as our missionary family to pray for and support, so all of our children are following your posts and watching God work through your obedience. Thank you for being such amazing examples, even through hardship.
We are continuing to pray for each of you. May God lift you up and sustain you, as He refreshes your bodies, minds and spirits.
Many blessings,
Kurt and Becky Howell, with Ivory (13), Autumn (12), KJ (9), & Jonathan (5)
The Hockmans are praying! Thanks for sharing your journey. Much love to your family!
So glad to hear that Rose is on the upswing and for God’s grace over y’all! We will continue to pray for full recovery and peace over your whole family! We love y’all and miss you!!
Abuk, your faith is so inspiring, Mostly because you are so humble and that your faith just springs from your heart is so clear. We’ve been praying as a family for Rose as well, and strength for all of you, and peace. I’m sorry it’s been so scary! Your comfort in God is a very encouraging testimony. To see your peace as you go through this truly humbles me with my very small problems, and encourages me all the more to depend on God daily. Thanks for sharing with us, and we’ll all keep up the prayers!
We’ve been praying Abuk. Thank you for taking the time to share portions of your processing.
Know that you are surrounded by we who all share the same heart all around the globe.
Love to all of you-
R and T
God is so faithful in all He does. Ami we have been praying and thank you for the updates so we better know how to pray for your family
We\’re praying!
Abuk and family.
We\’ve been praying for you all right along, and will continue to do so from here in Maine! Have also been sharing updates with my ladies\’ Bible study group for more prayer support. (That\’s how Kelly – in Maine- up above in comments heard about you all
Thank you for sharing so honestly and of course for continuing to give us information so we can pray for you guys during this time. It was so encouraging to hear about your faith battles and victories. No matter where we are, or what we are dealing with, we can relate in some way to wrestling and persevering in our walks with God. So it helps that others, like you, are sharing.
Praying R—- continues to feel better and feels comfortable and well-cared for in the hospital (as well as you!).
Love from the Haggards!
Hi Abuk,
I shared about your family and R– with my prayer group on Monday night and Wednesday. I also shared this blog on our bible study fb group site. (I hope that’s ok!) My prayers are for her to be spared and to heal and for strength for you and your husband and the rest of your children, and health for everyone, too. And that her recovery and the significance of it would be a sign of both the need for clean water and the hope of recovery.
Love,
Mara Chambers
Our family has been praying for you. We\\\’re from EBC (Debbie Sardo knows our family) in OREGON. Praying for you as you continue to have your precious little girl in treatment. Our family is currently raising support to head to Peru full time. We pray the Lord will sustain you and encourage you during the remainder of your stay in the hospital with R—.
It has been a privilege to pray and plead for God\’s sustaining grace, peace, and wisdom. Thank you for keeping us updated on R–‘s progress. My mom also became gravely ill with malaria as a young child and MK in Africa. Yet, for her, she recalls the opportunity it provided to personally trust Christ with her health and physical salvation. To this day it is one of the stories that highlights her knowledge of God\’s love and mercy in her life. I am praying for the same kind of opportunity for R– through these illnesses. You (and J–) will continue to be in my prayers as I\’m sure the cumulative fatigue and stress is weighty.
Our family has been praying for Flower-girl and for your whole family. We rejoice with you in His miracles! The Homebuilders Class at Alderwood Community Church in Lynnwood has been praying for you too!
We are so thankful for how God is answering the prayers of all those who love you and care about you. Dave, Daniel and I have often prayed for you, asking God to heal Flower-girl quickly and completely. At times, I tearfully pleaded with the Lord, and when I awakened me in the night, I’d pray. You have been on our hearts and minds, and we are continuing to pray. We’ve prayed for strength and grace for you and J–, for your marriage in the midst of this stress, and for grace for the whole family. We prayed for God to encourage PJ when her beloved sister was so sick on her birthday, and we prayed for your comfort as you remembered Marylou. We knew the past weeks must have been hard for each family member, affecting them in different ways, so we prayed that “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Phil. 4:7). We also prayed for your family members in the States, knowing they’re hearts ached for you all. And we joined you in praying for God to be glorified through it all. We love you all and will continue to pray for you all.
So glad to hear that Flower-girl is doing better. Still praying for you all.
We have been praying for precious Flower-girl since we heard from your mother via FB. You might remember us (Diana & my late husband Eric) from Camp, your Parent’s Life Group, or your wedding. It is true, there is nothing that will teach you more about God’s Sovernty than an experience like this and conversely nothing can draw you closer. God Bless you all.
Praying for you all from the SIM home office. George & Sara have been including your updates. The upcoming SLC was on my mind and in my prayers for you in hopes that you would be able to go and soak up some refreshing in that time. Trusting our Father that if you and Flower-girl are to stay longer at the hospital that He will refresh and renew you and provide just what you need. Trusting that He knows best and has the steps of each day set out from His goodness and wisdom and love for you. Thankful for the answers to prayer in turning the corner for R–. Continued prayers for full healing.
So thankful that we serve The God who heals, comforts and restores:) I go to your parents church so we get Sunday updates. I have been praying for you guys twice a day and lots of other little times throughout the day when I am having pain or feeling low myself. I have also told your story to my little nieces and nephews and they have been praying for Flower-girl specifically and I know they will be super excited to hear that God is answeing their prayers:) We will continue to pray as Flower-girl finishes recieving her meds and for youthat God will minister to your spirit as well and provide all that you need right there in the hospital. I have spent a lot of time in the hospital myself so I know that HE is able to do just that.
Our God is so good. We attend Alderwood Community Church and have been praying for Flower-girl. Thank you Lord! We ill continue to pray!
Abuk and J–,
We prayed for your family, for peace and healing. Thank you for the reminder to hold our children with open hands to the Lord as He loves them more than we ever could. I am humbled, strengthened and overwhelmed by your faith. Blessings to you all.
Eva and Andy Means
Your Faith is inspiring. I am so thankful Flower-girl is improving. She has such a sweet smile. Reading your blog encourages me in my own walk. I am thankful for your openness and sharing. It is a blessing. It helps me find the courage to be “Real” as well. I will continue to Pray for your Dear R– and your work there in South Sudan. Lord Bless you all.
Hi Abuk and J–,
We have been praying, and continue to pray. Some things in life seem so scary, especially when our kids are involved. What a blessing to know God loves them even more than we do, and His plan for them is perfect. We continue to pray. Thank you for the updates.
So glad to hear that Flower-girl is responding to treatment and feeling better. In the scariest of situations, you and J– remain an encouragement to many. You are right that our children are not our own as our Father loves them so much more than we can imagine. Continuing to pray as Flower-girl heals and is strengthened.
~ Bev
Please know that we at Yakima Alliance Church are praying for Flower-girl and your family. Kendra (Walker) called and shared your story and asked us to be praying for you. We have an woman named Ellie (80 years old) that joined our youth ministry to specifically pray over us weekly while we meet and has faithfully taken the prayer requests and praises to our Father. Kendra wanted me to contact Ellie right away knowing you would have a wonderful committed prayer warrior bringing your family before the throne daily. Please know she will be asking me for updates every time I see her and that your family will be continually covered in prayer. Thank you for sharing your heart and allowing us to come along side you in prayer.
Gail Maissen (Kendra’s mom)
J– and Abuk,
We have been praying for flower-girl and your family. It has been so wonderful getting updates about Flower-girl. Your story has opened up so many conversations with family and friends about your family and your work in South Sudan. We pray that Flower-girl feels better soon and that God’s grace is with you and J–. Thank you for sharing with us.
Your friend,
Megan Flynn-Raab and family
Abuk, thank you for the update on Flower-girl and your family. We are thanking God that Flower-girl is on the mend and for the grace God has given to you and your family. Please give Flower-girl a hug from us. We love you and are continually praying for your and your family.
Hi C—- Family! We are praying for your family, especially your sweet Flower-girl, and are so thankful to hear of God’s healing in her life! We will be praying for His sustaining grace and peace to renew and refresh you daily. Sending love and prayers,
Shalini (member of ACC Homebuilders class)
J– and Abuk and family, We are continuing to pray for all of you, especially little Flower-girl. We thank God for His faithfulness and the healing He is doing in Flower-girl. I thank Him for continuing to give ou strength and grace to sustain you through this crisis. I know He is using you and will continue to use you mightily in His kingdom work there. You are an encouragement to me.
Blessings,
Kay
Our family has been faithfully praying for your family and following the events in your lives as they unfold. We have been able to explain what is happening to our own children and they have been praying for your sweet girls, too. I have been encouraged and strengthened myself by Amie’s dependence on God and His faithfulness through this trial. I am thankful that it seems to be nearing it’s end and our family will continue to uphold your family in our prayers as you travel back to South Sudan. God is using you there and He is using you here, in our lives. May you be richly blessed by Him.
We have been praying and will continue to do so! Thank you so much for sharing your heart so openly on this blog. I cannot even begin to tell me how much your faith has impacted me over the years. I am so thankful that God brought you into my life at SCS, and now has given us the opportunity to partner with in prayer while you serve Him oversees. .
I have prayed for your little love since hearing about her illness from my friend Sara Salloum with SIM. Praising God with you for her progress and also praying that you are refreshed supernaturally in the days to come. I would love to send a copy of my children’s book to R– (and her brothers and sister) if you’ll email the best mailing address to me. God bless and sustain you all!