Update on accident

You can read updates about the short-term workers and the Scotts - all in the vehicle accident in PNG - at this website.

The Scotts have also started a blog about Kim's progress here.

I don't know of any internet updates for the other family (the Geises), but continue to pray for Steve and Tracy too.

Back in Ukarumpa

Krista and I arrived back in Ukarumpa yesterday, the 22nd, around noon after two uneventful flights.

Thanks for your prayers!

Going back to Ukarumpa

Thanks for your prayers everyone! Tomorrow Krista and I are flying back to Ukarumpa. We are leaving early in the morning and should arrive home by mid-afternoon. We have two flights booked - one from Cairns to Port Moresby (the capital of PNG) and another from Moresby directly to Ukarumpa.

Krista is still on crutches, and my arm is still in a sling, so pray that our travels go smoothly, that we can find people to help us along the way, and that our physical pain will be minimal. Thanks!

More surgery news

It's been a day and a half since my shoulder surgery and I'm doing well. I have some pain in my shoulder which is to be expected, of course.

This morning I talked to the surgeon and he gave me some interesting news. When he went in my shoulder with a scope to look around, he found that my biceps tendon was in really bad shape as well as the joint being compressed like he expected. He was able to repair both problems during the operation, which is great news. But it's not great news because the recovery will be much longer. It will be 6 weeks until I will be able to use my right arm for normal activities, and 3 months before I will be back to normal.

Please pray for both me and Krista. Between us we have 3 good arms and 2.5 good legs. She has been a big help to me since my surgery and I am still trying to help her too, as it has only been one week since her surgery. Also pray for me to have a good attitude and perspective in all of this. Pray for me to learn the lessons God has for me in all of this.

Thanks!

Back from Surgery

I got back from my outpatient shoulder surgery about an hour ago and I’m doing well. The surgery seems to have been successful. I’m not in any pain and my arm is in a sling. Thanks for your prayers and look for more updates over the next few days.

Krista is typing for me as I am not able to use my right arm yet. I’ll enjoy hearing from you but be aware I might not be able to write back for a little while.

Surgery

Krista and I are still in Cairns, Australia. She’s continuing to improve and so are the others from the accident. Pray for one lady who is awaiting a facial reconstruction surgery.

When I found out Krista was going to have surgery and we knew we’d be here another 10 to 14 days, I decided to have my right shoulder looked at by the doctor. I’ve had some pain in the shoulder for a few months and since it hasn’t gotten any better on its own, I wanted to have it looked at while we were still here in Australia.

Krista had a post-op visit to the doctor today and I had an appointment too. The doctor did an exam and ordered x-rays of my shoulder; he determined the problem is that some tendons are being pinched in my shoulder joint because there is not enough space for them to fit between the bones. (The condition is technically called a shoulder impingement.) The doctor same the condition will only get worse over time if left untreated.

The way to fix this problem is a simple, minimally-invasive surgery that creates more space for the tendons to pass through. Because of a cancellation, I’m able to have the minor, out-patient surgery tomorrow morning, and Krista and I should be able to go back to Papua New Guinea next week as we’ve been planning all along.

Thanks for your prayers for me, and for the others who are continuing to heal.

Happy Easter!

The sun is setting here after a good Easter. Krista and I went to Cairns Community Church and then visited our friends at the hospital.

One (with a broken femur) has been discharged and is now recovering at Tree Tops. The two left in the hospital are looking better every time we see them. It was encouraging to hear someone who's been through so much physically and emotionally (and has such a long road of recovery ahead of him still) express his trust in and reliance on God!

Keep praying for all involved in the accident and for Krista.

Thanks for your prayers for me too. I started getting a cold soon after we got here, but after asking for prayer, recovered amazingly quickly and I'm feeling good. Thanks :-)

Quick update

Krista is "home" from her surgery. The operation went well, but she had some trouble in recovery with a reaction to the anesthetic. Please keep praying that she will gain strength and recover quickly.

While Krista was in surgery, I had a chance to visit the people who were in the accident last weekend. It was encouraging to see how they're doing. Keep praying for them too.

Thanks!

Update on the accident and Krista

Thanks for your prayers for my friends who were in the bad car accident and for Krista, who I'm here in Australia helping.

The people in the accident were in a van which collided with a huge truck. Of the 13 people in the van, four were medevaced here to Cairns, Australia. So far, all have had surgery (some multiple surgeries) to fix broken bones and close up wounds. One lady was released from the hospital yesterday after having a broken jaw fixed up. Her husband is still in ICU (as of yesterday). The other two are also still in the hospital. Keep praying for all of them.

~ ~ ~

Krista had her third doctor's appointment yesterday and decided to opt for surgery. She'll be having surgery tomorrow (Thursday) on her left ankle. We have to be at the surgery at 10 am (which is 8 pm Wednesday on the east coast). Please be praying for the surgery to go well and for Krista to have a quick recovery. We'll stay here for Krista to recover for 10-14 days after the surgery.

Thanks!

Updates will follow :-)

Urgent Prayer Request

Here in Cairns we've just received heart-wrenching news from PNG.

Some people from Ukarumpa were in a bad car accident a few hours ago. Four people had injuries serious enough to be flown here to Cairns for emergency medical treatment. They should be arriving within the hour.

Please pray for injured people, and for their children left behind in Ukarumpa and children and families in the US. Also pray for the two Ukarumpa doctors who have come down to assist and for all the staff at the hospital here.

Pray that Krista and I will know how we can help and be a blessing to the injured people and the doctors. (Keep praying for Krista's ankle and foot pain to go away too.)

I'll update you as I get information, but for now, just pray!

Australia Update #1

Four days and two doctor's appointments later, Krista and I now know what the problem with her ankle / foot is, but we don't really know how much longer we'll be in Australia. The problem is with her plantar facsia, a layer of connective tissue on the bottom of the foot. Cortisone shots have helped her problem a lot, but the doctor is concerned that if she isn't pain-free in a week, surgery will be the only option. We're going to be in Cairns at least another week, waiting to see how she feels.

Prayer

Please pray that Krista's pain will be completely gone by early next week, so that she won't need surgery.

Pray for Krista and the doctors (both in Australia and PNG) who will be making decisions about where, when, and what treatment for her to seek. Pray for peace in the decisions that are made.

Please pray for me too. In the last day or two, I've gotten a head cold, so pray that I'll start feeling better soon and that I'll have enough energy to take good care of Krista.

Praise

After the first doctor's visit, neither Krista or I felt very confident in the doctor's diagnosis and treatment plan, but the second visit went much better. Praise the Lord for the doctor's concern and for him taking the time to explain things during the second visit.

Praise the Lord for Tree Tops Lodge, run by missionaries, which is a very inexpensive and comfortable place for us to stay. (We have two small rooms, one with a kitchen to prepare our own food and save on the cost of eating out. There is also a small pool, which is great because the doctor doesn't want Krista to walk, but has encouraged her to swim!)