OCT 21, 2018
STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS
THIS weekend each year has special meaning. 30 years ago God gave us the most amazing gift of our . During our labor and delivery God allowed a serious infection to attack us both. Let’s just say Mommy faired better than our tiny little Girl. Becky was so sick that if we but touched her, her oxygen plummeted and heart rate exploded. We sat there helplessly by her little NUCU incubator pleading with our GREAT PHYSICIAN for her life. THE main neonatologist was a Jewish man by heritage only. He mocked our prayers to our GREAT FATHER. We appreciated all medical science could do but GOD ALONE was our rock and shelter in our weakness and inability to help our baby.
Yet, IN Our weakness His strength was there. God orchestrated that though newly appointed missionaries , we had incredible insurance coverage ( that covered preexisting pregnancy to boot😊). Even before delivery our brother in Christ, Dr Battaglia, MY OBGYN, gave me an injection God led him to give that was just what Becky needed. That intervention for us both was probably the best start our baby girl could get!!! We delivered near one of the East coast’s top Nicu facilities where they “ just happened to be doing research” on a treatment that is now standard for such babies!! ( and she got the drug NOT the placebo in the study!!!!!😄). Miraculously in Two weeks my baby came home to the awe of the neonatologist. He had to admit our prayer made a difference!! Strength in weakness.
Last year this time my world was turning upside down.
Breast cancer was not on my agenda. In the weakness and vulnerability of facing a life threatening diagnosis, God’s strength was made perfect. They found my cancer on the left side before they should have seen it. Though the biopsy removed the tumor completely ( not known til post op pathology) God led us to remove completely both breasts because He saw what MAMMOGRAM and ULTRASOUND and MRI could not. Cancer on the right side only visible by a microscope!!
Cancer has been a hard road. Three surgeries, painful recoveries and much weakness to overcome, yet God’s amazing peace and comfort were roses among those thorns. So many lessons God taught us along the way and so many opportunities to share HIM through our journey.
We continue the journey as daily meds are taken to prevent more cancer. The side effects are blessings actually as are the huge scars as both daily remind me of my weakness and HIS ENABLING strength. May we never forget to live each day fully as life, truly, is an uncertain gift. Yet may we also enjoy the roses despite the prickly painful thorns.
Weakness also comes to our bodies unexpectedly. This next week is a crucial one. We are Birthing the Church that has
sprung out from the overwhelmingly painful , total unexpected , death of my baby Lisa just ONE WEEK after her transition from our arms to her forever home.
At her funeral I met Her grandfather. He was the most Evil and terrifying man I’ve ever met. He has been the instigator of many tribal fights. A rapist and murderer, violence radiates from him. But God gave me an opportunity amidst my grief to share Jesus with this man of great need. A seed was planted and daily prayed over. Over ten years later he has invited us to start a church in his village. Our religion and our actions both speak love to him. A seed sprouting!
This is the week!! Special meetings. Mobile clinic outreach. Sunday Bill speaks at the church plant our tears and mourning started! I want to be strong.... but in my weakness ( I found out the cause.....typhoid🤢) His strength will be evident!!
We need fervent prayer.
-HIV infection and serious illnesses along with sorcery are REAL and very evident foes as we go into this area. We need physical and Spiritual protection.
-it will cost over $2000 to bring what we need to show love and to give care at Katagu this week. We need money and medicine.
- I need strength and health to treat the many in great need.
-we need good weather for the nightly meetings and for the Friday all day clinic and Sunday services.
Weakness has benefit as it enables us to see HIS STRENGTH.
NO restraint. NO retreats. NO REGRETS. FEARLESS. FAITHFUL.
Bill Lori and the boys.
