Mark Update August 16, 2010

Dear Friends, Family and Brethren,

My heart is heavy. I first turn to my  Heavenly Father and Saviour. I also turn to brethren in Christ. Your prayers are needed at this time, more than at others.
Before I left for Ecuador, my mom had a pretty sound mind- but was in the early stages of Alzheimer's. We spent much precious time together knowing it might be our last upon this earth. We both knew and understood that Gods call for me might be permanent.
As her memory has decreased over the time we have been here, it has been difficult for me. Each time I call she will ask me when I am coming home.
I want to ask you to pray for my mom and us-- I received these emails recently:

                        Hi,
                        Wanted you to know that Mom was admitted to Charlotte Hungerford
                        Hospital  last night.   She fell out of her bed and hit her head pretty
                        hard.   A Cat Scan was done and waiting for the results.
                        She had been more and more confused this past week, she had locked
                        herself in an upstairs bedroom one night and couldn't get out.   She
                        has been hallucinating and just lethargic.
                       At the hospital they found that her sodium level was low.  They are
                       going  to keep her and replace her fluids and observe her for the next
                       few days.
                       I can be reached  on  my cell

                       Hi,
                       Just an update on mom.  She had a bad night last evening, up agitated
                       and anxious.   When I came in this morning she was confused and blank.
                       She did not know who I was.   Her sodium level dropped to 122 today
                       down  from 128 yesterday.  The reason is unknown.   Dr. McHugh was in
                       this  am.,  she will be ordering a CT scan of her head to see if there
                       is a bleed or stroke,  a Ct of her chest to see if there is cancer in
                       her lungs and also a Ct scan of her abdomen to make sure there is not
                       a cancer there either.   Reason for low sodium can be water
                       intoxication,   cancer or kidney problems.  When the sodium level
                       drops they become lethargic, weak and confused and can eventually lead
                       to coma.
                       As the test results come back in I will let you know.   The bruising on
                       her face is under both eyes, nose and the whole left side of her face.
                       She is also grimacing and moaning.   She is having pain in her back
                       and stomach today.  I was able to get her Tylenol.
                       My cell is on,  I will be here with her.

                       Hi,
                       Dr. McHugh called last night and told me that they found a large lower
                       left lung mass.   This is what is causing her body to be depleted of
                       sodium.   The MD came in and told mom this morning but she really
                       doesn't comprehend.   Right now she believes that we are on the Hayes
                       farm in Canada. She is still pleasantly confused.  They will be doing
                       a biopsy today and tomorrow, and getting a Oncology consult tomorrow.
                       As for now I believe that everyone is aware.   Including extended
                       family.  My cell is on if you have any questions.
                       Love, Jen

We have such precious promises from our Father- I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE NOR FORSAKE THEE,, YEA THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL; FOR THOU ART WITH ME, THY ROD AND THY STAFF THEY COMFORT ME,,  THERE IS NO MAN WHO HAS LEFT FATHER OR MOTHER, BROTHERS OR SISTERS OR CHILDREN OR HOME OR LAND FOR HIS SAKE AND THE GOSPELS, WHO SHALL NOT HAVE A HUNDREDFOLD IN THIS LIFE WITH PERSECUTIONS AND IN THE NEXT ETERNAL LIFE.

I know one day I will receive an email telling me that my mom has passed on to her eternal rest--- and for that I will be thankful because she has placed her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. But, none the less, it is a difficult time. The family is all well here and the Lord is working in each of us and through each of us. I am so very thankful and grateful for this. The different ministering is going well, but I will wait until another time to mention the details. The one thing I would like to mention is that many times we cannot do a particular thing we feel we ought to or reach a particular area we feel we can because we just don't have the resources financially. God has a purpose in this also and we look to Him for provision.
Thank you for your prayers for us and my mom.