When our school in Bosnia closed and we returned to Iowa mid-May, our plan was to head back on July 6 to do something completely new.  A nine-month Discipleship Training Program, Mark’s long time dream, appeared to be materializing!  Five Chinese participants, a place to live where we’d be interacting closely. and plans on how to fund it were all in place.  And the Lord seemed on board.

Plans Changed

But three weeks ago, shortly before we were to head back to Bosnia, a routine physical uncovered a concern over what the doctor and I thought was scar tissue.  After further testing it was determined my breast cancer had returned.  We’re now in the process of discerning treatment. I will have a lumpectomy July 29, and its sentinel lymph node will be biopsied.  Thankfully, the cancer has not spread to any other part of my body, at least as far as a PET scan can see!  We will let you know as soon as we do what, if any, additional treatment will look like.

What we do know, though, is that God’s redirecting the steps we thought were back to Bosnia.  We just don’t know yet to where.  It wasn’t financially possible for those planning to join our program to wait for us to address this, so that door is closed for now.  Our Chinese daughter Lily has accepted a science teaching position at a Christian school in Quito, Ecuador, and the others are pursuing an opportunity in Zambia, Africa.  Please pray for each of them and for us as we adjust our hearts to this new situation.  We know God is fully in control, but of course, we’re disappointed and unclear exactly what He has in mind.

Sale Delayed

On a brighter note, we learned about the possible cancer one day before we were to sell our mobile home. Mark was able to delay the sale.  The buyer is willing to wait a few months until we know better how my treatment will go.  It’s been a huge blessing to all of us to be in our own little home during this trial!  We see God’s hand in the timing and have no doubt He’s using all of this for our good and His glory. After a stressful year, it’s been nice to have a place to rest and concentrate on our health, our marriage, and our family.

What’s Next?

As to what’s next, neither Mark nor I see this as a red flag preventing future ministry either Stateside or abroad.  As long as doctors give me a green light we’d eventually like to continue serving Him beyond US borders.  That’s our plan anyway!  But we know it’s God who directs our steps.  Please pray that He would clearly show us where to go next and that we’ll “bloom where we’re planted” now.  More than healing I want to glorify God by responding with complete trust in this surprise turn of events.  He’s giving me a chance to do better this time around!  I want to use every opportunity to share the gospel with the hospital staff and new friends.

We love you all and are so grateful for your faithful support, prayer, and care at this time.