Today has been kind of a "two-steps backward" day. In one sense, I'm encouraged: S has had almost no achy-ness or pain today. However, she has been extremely tired and fatigued, to the point that I can only say a few words to her and she is worn out. Yet, she can't sleep. This has been her lowest physical day yet. The doctors performed a CT scan of her stomach and found no problems. She has been seen by an infectious disease doctor, a rheumatologist, and an endocrinologist. At this point, they are unsure of the exact problem, but tend to think that it is still a severe post-viral fatigue syndrome. They said that this will cause her strength to fluctuate as she recovers (ie, good days/bad days). She did eat some supper tonight (which is all that she ate today), for which I am very grateful.

Praise to the Lord, S is not discouraged or overwhelmed. In the few words that I got out of her today, it was clear that her trust is in God. My heart has wavered a few times--not knowing what's up, and wanting to be with the kids. I have spent hours today praying through the words of Psalm 110:"But you, God, see the troubles of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it to heart. The victims commit themselves to you.The Lord is king FOREVER AND EVER; You Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and listen to their cry." One close friend wrote this morning in a prayer, "I am trusting You to send Your peace to Jonathan and S—Your peace that is “beyond description” as Your Word calls it. I am expecting them to feel a bit confused over how at peace they feel." God is answering his prayers.

Tomorrow I will return to Indonesia. My sister-in-law (a M in Cambodia) will come and stay with S while I am gone. I will then return to Singapore on Thursday or Friday with the kids. We will stay at the OMF M House--close to the hospital; meals provided; and has a nice kids play room--until S is able to return home.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

waiting on Him,

jwf

Dear Friends,

A good day here overall. Although S is still very tired, she is increasing in both strength and appetite.

Both the infectious disease doc and an endocrinologist saw S today. They said that she most likely had a severe viral infection, followed by "post viral syndrome". In addition, her Vitamin D levels were very low. This is likely caused by the change in diet over the last 7 months, and, ironically, lack of exposure to the sun. This seems odd in a tropical climate, but S wears long sleeves (due to the Mslm context), and her primary time outdoors in the neighborhood is after class and kids naps around 4 when the sun is already starting to set. The lack in Vitamin D accounts for many of the symptoms she was experiencing. Her thyroid, thankfully, seems to be at good levels; yet they are going to do a scan tomorrow to confirm.

Each meal, Sarah has eaten more, praise the Lord. She continues to be very tired; they said that it takes quite a while for the Vitamin D levels to increase. They will start her on supplements tomorrow.

Overall, we are encouraged with what God has done today. Some progress, albeit small. Praying for good rest tonight, more eating and energy tomorrow, and continued strength.

So grateful for your prayers and encouragement. God has been very close to us. We find ourselves praying much--not because we have to, but because we need and want to.

Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.

grateful,

J

Dear Friends,

Much has happened since I last wrote, and I'm justing getting an opportunity to sit down and write.

A nurse friend of ours who lives in our town came and did a thorough check of S on Thursday. Seemed to have fairly normal results. She sent them to the doctor who lives on another island (the one that we have been in contact with since the beginning). He said that based on everything he has seen so far and that S isn't improving as rapidly as he would like, it would be best to have a thorough examination in Singapore.

A good suggestion, and just in time. Last night around 9:30pm, S and I arrived in Singapore. By the time we arrived at the hospital S could not walk on her own and was extremely weak. They were able to get her some fluids immediately which helped. After a series of blood and urine tests, we were seen by an infectious disease doctor. He has concluded, ironically, that she almost definitelydoes not have dengue. However, he is not yet sure what she has. The three things that he has suggested at this time are:

• Viral infection that simply has to run it's course. However, several of her symptoms make him shy away from this. Also, the length of time that she has been sick (3 weeks) is too long for viral.
• Gastro-intestinal. S hasn't wanted/been able to eat much recently, and she appears to have some reflux issues, as well as pain in her abdomen. He said that this is potentially an issue; though it doesn't seem to explain the tiredness.
• Bacterial infection. They are continuing to do bloodwork to see if there is anything significant.

Two key requests (other than simply finding out what she has:): 
* Pray that she can sleep. She says she has that feeling that you have when you are on jet leg, you're so stinkin' tired, but you can't sleep--except she's had that for about a week now. 
* Pray that she can eat. They are keeping her hydrated and with that she is getting nutrients; but, they say that the sooner she feels good enough to eat, the sooner that her body is recovering and starting to get over whatever she has.

Wow, that was longer than I had thought. Overall we are doing well, though S is still very weak. The hardest part about this is being away from Z&Z. But Justine is taking good care of them, and several other families are keeping an eye on them as well.

Five years ago tonight, S and I said "I do." Tonight, alone in a hospital room, we are sitting here remembering the journeys that God has led us on through the last five years and thanking Him that every step along the way, He has been faithful. "Underneath are Your everlasting arms!" We are encouraged, and God is giving us joy and peace. Praying that we will continue to trust Him. He is worthy.

in Christ alone,

j&s

A very brief update on S's health.

After a very rough morning--physically and emotionally--we found that S's platelet levels had risen. Praise to God! An answer to your prayers. We will check her levels again tomorrow to make sure there is a continuous upward progression.

However, she is still extremely weak, needing continued hydration and energy to fight off the sickness. And, unfortunately, her husband has a migraine:) So, you can add him to your prayers.

I will work to give a more detailed update soon, but I wanted to let you know that God is answering your prayers, yet we would greatly appreciate your continued prayers. Our hearts are confident in God's faithfulness, yet our bodies and spirits are tired. He is faithful. He will never leave us. Never.

Hopeful in Him,

jwf

Dear Friends,

I wanted to write you briefly to ask for your specific prayers for S's health. Over the last 2.5 weeks, she has battled an infection, a reaction to meds for that infection, and we just learned today that she has dengue fever. If you are unfamiliar with dengue, you can find a helpful (and detailed) explanation here on Wikipedia.

One of the key signs to watch in dengue is platelet levels (thrombocytes). S's levels today were lower than normal (normal range is 150-440; her low today was 118). This is normal with dengue, yet, as we have learned recently from a friend in Cambodia, this can also drop to dangerously low levels in a brief period of time. The recovery time for dengue can be quite long (ie, months). This has by far been her lowest day physically, and emotionally.

With this in mind, I am writing to you to ask: would you take 5, 10, or 15 minutes today and pray for S's health while she sleeps tonight? Pray specifically: 
* That her platelet levels would not drop, but would rise. 
* That she would remain hydrated. 
* That she would not be discouraged.

We have been praying for our hearts during this time. It's amazing how your theology is tested at times like this. It's easy for us to read a biography of Gracia Burnham (who endured a year of captivity in the jungles of the Philippines before her husband was killed) and say, "Yea, that's right!" But for some reason:) our faith wavers when we're in the midst of unknowns. God did give us joy and peace in our prayers tonight. We prayed over Peter's words, to "set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming." We are confident in God's continuing and never-ending, never stopping love and care for us, regardless of how our bodies may feel. He is our Creator; He is our Sustainer. Praise to Him.

Hopeful in Him,

jwf

Part of the community development throughout Indonesia includes a children's health checkup. One day every other month, families bring their children to a designated area in the kampung and have them weighed and measured. Their measurements are compared with the records from the previous checkup to ensure that children are growing well. Each family is given formula and bananas for each child. And just in case a child doesn't like "hangin' out" (Hudson!), they give away free chocolate milk on your way out. A nice morning activity, and another way to develop relationships and demonstrate concern for our community.

Using half a can of bug spray to kill a few cockroaches in my bed and in my bathroom. 6 months off my life (b/c of the fumes) totally worth the death of those roaches!

Overkill. Maybe, but at least I didn't scream and wake everyone up when the 2 inch roach was on my arm in the middle of the night!!

Unsolicited and uninstructed, this language exchange took place on our front porch this morning.

This was the progression outside our house moments ago. Throughout the evening different groups have passed by and numerous songs have been chanted from the mosque, all with the phrase "Allahu Akbar" (meaning "god is the greatest").

This is in preparation for tomorrow's Eid al-Adha, the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice, which according to Muslims, celebrates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his first son Ishmael.

40 days ago we attended a funeral for our Muslim neighbors mother. Not only did it help strengthen our relationship with our neighbor, but we also learned a lot about culture, customs, and practices.

But today I participated in another aspect of funeral customs...the 40 day feast. Family, friends, and neighbors spent all day preparing food for tonight's feast (I helped for about 3 hours). This feast represents the end of the mourning period for the deceased. For the family, it is supposed to be a time of celebration, ritual prayer and other religious traditions.

Below is me helping with the feast preparations.