Sunday 18 December 2011

Jehovah the God of all comfort

The WT for this week has proved to be true (obviously right??!!).
You see, last week Chris' dad got pneumonia and ended up in hospital. We knew something was wrong because that was the day we generally call them to hear how they are. But this time their computer was off and there was no one at home. But we didn't want to be paranoid right?? The computer can be broken and they might have gone to do some shopping.
Then we called again the next day at a time we knew they would be home and still... no answer! Then we knew something was wrong (and to be honest with you I had that feeling the whole night). So Chris called his brother who told him that his dad was in hospital with pneumonia.
Imagine the panic. Here we are millions of miles away (ok only 5500 but still...) and we can't do anything about it. And we always promised ourselves and Chris' parents (and we always meant it and we still do) that we would be going back pronto if anything ever happens. So I feel desperately guilty and start looking at flights and Chris... well... you can imagine right?
So Chris calls his mum and obviously she's worried sick and tired but she can't sleep as well because she doesn't know anything yet because the doctors won't say much and Chris' dad had a problem with his kidneys since a couple of years ago so the infection attacked the kidneys as well, and he can't breathe properly so he has an oxygen mask, and the antibiotics are not responding... Then I obviously start thinking about his mum as well, not being able to sleep or eat and running to and from the hospital. And I feel even more terrible. I felt like I needed and wanted to be there to help her in the house so that she wouldn't have to worry about that as well.
So again... imagine the panic! Flights website again...
She kept on telling us not to panic and to wait before booking a flight back just to see if he would stabilize.
And he did for a couple of days. But he wouldn't eat. And that's worrying.
Then last Thursday we don't call because we're out in the field all day (one of our 10-hours day) and we forgot to tell Chris' mum. Anyway, the next day Chris' calls his brother in Italy and it comes out that hid dad got worse Thursday and he was coughing up blood and he couldn't breathe and that his mum was crying on the phone worried. PANIC!!!! We call Chris' mum and she explains everything and yes, his dad had a bad turn but not apparently the antibiotic started working properly and he was feeling better. Still not eating though...
Anyway, Chris' younger brother arrives from Greece as he anticipated the flight from Christmas so he could help his mum and when Chris talks to him it comes out that his dad was getting really depressed between being tired from not sleeping, being in the hospital and medications like morphine. So then I saw Chris checking out flights websites and then I REALLY GOT WORRIED!!!
We talked about it and we found a flight to Los Angeles and then we checked how to move the return flight forward. Anyway, we were ready to book it today for January the 12th.
This morning Chris calls his mum mobile while she's in the hospital with his dad and he talks to his dad and finally he can hear from his voice that he's doing well. He's eating, he's smiling and he doesn't need the oxygen anymore. Obviously he probably has another week in the hospital but the simple fact that he's eating is a relief. When Chris told me about it this morning he also said "I prayed about it last night". Well obviously we're not saying it's a miracle (we know better than that) but at least this gave us sort of peace of mind. Even just knowing that Chris' mum is doing better is a lot. And with her son there helping, she can obviously have some rest now (I hope).
Obviously we're still worried and ready to book the flight at any time but is in moments like these that we realize how close is Jehovah to us. He can give us the strength to keep calm and not panic completely.
In the meantime we're obviously trying to go on with our daily activities like working and preaching.
And we found a house. What? Yes we do have a house, but we're moving closer to the kingdom hall and in a smaller place. The house where we are served its purpose of letting us decide if we want to stay. So we didn't have to buy any furniture etc etc. But now that we decided (kinda of...) we looked for a smaller place where we feel at home. We'll move in on the 15th of January and then I will start posting photos.
We're also having some really good experiences in the field. One of my studies asked me about Christmas and its origins so I went back with the magazine from a couple of years ago. She still remembered what we talked about the previous time (idols and stuff) and she quoted the scripture we read PS. 115:4-6 from memory and she said that if it's in the Bible we must obey. I was kind of shocked. So now I'm going to go back on the Christmas subject next time and then start the systematic study with the TB.

Well, that's it for now. We'll keep you updated.

1 comment:

  1. Honetly, I love how balanced this post shows the life of an active need greater. It isn't all flowers and rainbows! True, true, but we can still keep our eyes on the horizon as long as we look to Jehovah as that God of Comfort. Yes, Jehovah doesn't neccesarily remove some of these stubborn thorns, but he does something better, right? That being: Giving us the strength we will need to endure, thus producing in us more confidence and relience in Him. That, in turn, produces a better mindset for the trials to come, looking to Jehovah as our ONLY hope, and the only one who can sustain us and nurture those he cares for.
    I am encouraged to read this post! I don't see a single thing that would be considered negative, because of the FOCUS you have, the perspective you've taken. Amen, amen, amen. What a relief to see an example of someone truly making Jehovah their confidence in good and bad times. Please continue to update us! My prayers with your families!

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