Please pray for:

Paul Bluck
of Bowser, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Paul is suffering with a severe case of Pulmonary Fibrosis 
and needs oxygen every evening.
New 2013.08.04

~~~

Fred Harestadt
of Duncan, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Fred recently had prostate surgery 
and is now suffering from some very unpleasant and inconvenient after-effects.
New 2013.08.04

~~~

Thomas Plunkett
of Litherland, Merseyside, UK
(brother of John Plunkett).
In addition to a worsening case of Osteoporosis, 
Tom suffers from chronic ulcers on his shins and calves
caused by poor blood circulation in his legs, 
despite recent corrective (stent) surgery.
New 2013.08.04

~~~

Erwin Santaca
Update:  2013.08.04

    Here is an edited excerpt from a very encouraging e-mail from Erwin:

I have some good news!  
God, in His grace, mercy and compassion, has greatly reduced the tumour.
I don't have the measurements but on the MRI it seems to have gone from a golf ball to a BB in size.
God has also been improving the side effects I live with.
 A couple of them are still potentially life-threatening.
I say this with the understanding that my life is in God's hands 
and nothing will happen to me that He doesn't allow or cause. 
He has however decided to put me in a state of constant awareness that my life could end at any moment.
I lost consciousness during my last major seizure and awoke in the ER 
where I was told I had to be intubated for fear I would suffocate.
It is fascinating to see how God works with us.
He has taught and changed me much through this phase of my journey to His kingdom.
He is the perfect Father who will give us exactly what we need
in order to make us the person He wants us to be.
He even gives us the ability to do our part in becoming that person.
All the glory, honour, praise and thanks belong to God; 
we are nothing without Him.
My heartfelt thanks to the brethren for praying for me.
I'm honoured and humbled to be so cared for.

Update 2013.03.11
Please continue to pray for Erwin.
He says that he has his good days and his bad days; 
but he remains faithful, in good spirits and trusting God for His will to be done.

New  2012.07.01
Please pray for Erwin Santaca of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Although we do not have any details, we have heard that Erwin is suffering from some form of brain cancer.
If any of our readers do have any further details on Erwin's condition,
please contact us as soon as possible so that we may post them.

~~~

Warren Lee
Update 2013.08.04

Warren's knee is virtually completely healed.
In fact, last week, he cycled, without pain or weakness, from his home in Nanaimo, BC to Qualicum Beach, BC -- 
a 36 kilometre (22 miles) journey which involves some major uphill sections.  

Update 2013.03.11
After a long wait, Warren finally underwent surgery on his injured knee on February 22nd.
The surgery was successful and now Warren is having physiotherapy.
Thank you for all your prayers.

Update 2012.04.13
Here is a detailed update from Warren:
I had an accident on a "Quad" motorcycle in which I jumped out of the way when it came back on me. 
I did not want an 800lb Quad landing on me and the young man who was with me told me that it just missed my head!  
However, when I landed, the bottom half of my left leg went lateral and that is how I sustained my injury. 
So I am thankful that the Quad did not land on me; but the next number of months will be challenging... 
to say the least. 
Here is the prognosis from the physiotherapist.
She has determined by doing orthopedic stress tests (the same tests the surgeon himself will do) that I have three tears. 
The first tear (which I knew immediately) is that I have torn my MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament)
to which she told me they will not perform surgery as it will heal over time on its own.
I did not let her do this stress test because the pain is unbearable.
The second stress test indicates that I have a meniscal tear. 
The problem is that since this is in the joint she cannot determine the degree of how bad the tear is. 
If the tear is large (she called it a "bucket tear") then it will result in a longer surgery/recovery. 
I will more than likely require an arthroscopic procedure in which they will use cameras and enter my knee.
Upon that they will go in and scrape the meniscus to clean it up. 
The recovery for this is about 6 weeks; but since my consult appointment is not until May 23rd, 
the best case scenario for this surgery is midsummer.
The last stress test revealed that I have also torn my ACL. 
This is far more serious as this requires an extensive surgery 
that involves taking a graft from either my hamstring or my patella tendon 
in which they have to tunnel it through bone from my fibula to my femur and will be anchored with screws. 
The recovery for this is far longer.  
She said that it is a 6 month recovery
and for me to expect my knee not to feel fully functional for up to 1 year post-surgery. 
I need to start a regimen of ibuprofen to bring the swelling down as well as icing the knee more regularly at 2 to 3 times per day. 
This will allow me to bend my knee past 90 degrees, which I currently cannot. 
The risk here is that once the swelling subsides and my knee begins to look like a knee again, instability in the joint will increase. 
Ironically, the swelling is actually creating a level of stability. 
During the next few weeks before my orthopaedic consult I will be seeing the physiotherapist to build what strength I can in the knee joint. 
I am hoping this will approach will assist in healing being expedited post surgery.
Admittedly, this was not the news that I wanted to hear;
but there is obviously something I need to learn and grow in. 
The frustrating part is that not only do I not have full use/mobility in my knee,
this injury has a ripple effect in that it is impacting Sue, Madison and Jacob as well. 
I would appreciate prayers that God would ultimately heal me, if it is His will. 
If He chooses not to, I would ask that the meniscal tear is not large and thus the initial surgery is minor and the ACL surgery will be a success. 
Also, please pray for Sue in helping her bear the extra load that she has to take on. 
Many thanks in advance!  Warren

New 2012.03.30
Please pray for Warren Lee of Nanaimo, BC, Canada.
Warren severely injured his left knee in a sports motorcycling accident on Wednesday evening.
He was taken to the local hospital where the knee was x-rayed.
No fractures were evident; but the swelling was so extensive that 
the hospital doctors recommended five days rest at home before the injury can be accurately diagnosed.
Please pray for speedy healing, pain reduction, 
especially considering the approaching spring Holy Day season.

~~~

Eric Jantzen
Update 2012.09.13  

This is just a quick update to let you know that, 
although Eric's condition has not improved markedly, 
he remains in excellent spirits, 
continues to perform as many of his duties as his condition allows, 
and is very much looking forward to keeping the upcoming Holy Days
and especially the Feast of Tabernacles
at Osoyoos, British Columbia. 
Please continue to remember Eric and his family in your prayers.

Update 2012.03.09
Eric had an appointment yesterday (Thursday) with his family doctor,
who explained in more detail the results of Eric’s recent CT scan 
and the subsequent report from the spinal specialist/surgeon.
The news is not good; in fact, it goes from bad to worse.
The growths that were previously thought to be on the inside of some of Eric’s spinal disks
were revealed to be attached to the spinal cord.
Until one of them can be removed and examined by a biopsy, 
it is not known what they are; nor whether they are benign or malignant.
The removal of any or all of these growths is extremely dangerous.
Any damage to the cord could result in immediate and total paralysis.
However, the alternative to surgery is not much better.
If Eric does not have the surgery, 
paralysis will rapidly increase within just a few short years.
Eric is scheduled for an MRI scan on March 22^nd, 
the purpose of which is to give Eric’s doctors a more detailed view of the condition of the vertebrae, 
the spinal cord and the growths.
Eric also is scheduled for a follow-up appointment with the specialist/surgeon on March 30^th.

 Update 2012.02.26
Eric had his scheduled appointment with the spinal specialist/surgeon.
Due to the severity of his condition, he has been added to the emergency list for surgery.
Following the surgery, Eric will need to remain in the Vancouver hospital for a minimum of two months;
possibly as long as four months.
Eric's condition is increasingly critical.
Please keep him in your prayers.

Update 2012.01.25
Eric had his CT scan as scheduled.
His back problem is much worse than anticipated.
He is in severe pain, and his medications make him feel much worse instead of better.
Surgery on his spine is being seriously considered.
Eric has a February 23rd appointment to discuss this with a spine specialist surgeon.

Update 2011.09.27
In addition to his painful gout, Eric has been suffering additional health problems, 
including wrist surgery for Carpal-Tunnel Syndrome, 
knee and hip pain and, most recently, painful kidney stones.  
Please pray that God would give Eric relief from these maladies 
so that he can fulfil his extensive ministerial and family responsibilities, 
especially throughout the fall holy day season.

New 2011.08.09
Eric Jantzen of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
who is suffering great pain from gout.

~~~

Joseph M. Barron
New  2012.07.02

Amanda Allen
New  2012.07.01

Please pray for Amanda Allen of Lake Elsinore, California, U.S.A.
Amanda, young mother of a seven-year old son, has an aggressive form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma (Stage 3). 
She started chemotherapy in early June and has spent some time in the local ER because of dehydration. 
Amanda writes: "I have no doubt God's hand is in this and His plan will be fulfilled. 
Please pray that I will be healed, or accept whatever comes. 
This is a big trial for me but I want God to be glorified in this."

~~~

Bob Born
Update 2012.02.26

Please continue to pray for Bob Born of Ramseur, North Carolina, U.S.A.
who has been fighting Leukemia for some time.
Bob had his regular 3 month CLL checkup last Friday (February 24th)
which revealed that his blood chemistry is holding steady.
He says that he is feeling "OK" 
and if he could only regain his stamina, he would feel great! 

~~~

Len Platt
Update 2012.01.21

Len underwent his Nerve Biopsy as scheduled on January 13th
and is now eagerly awaiting the results.

Update 2012.01.06
After repeated frustrating deferrals, 
Len's Nerve Biopsy has finally been scheduled for January 13th.
Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

New 2011.08.12
Please pray for Len Platt of Sooke, BC, Canada.
Len has been suffering for more than two years from multiple, very diverse and painful symptoms
which have severely affected his work attendance, family income and general quality of life.
Despite visits to many specialist doctors, 
he is having a tough time obtaining an accurate diagnosis of his illness.
Today (August 12th), Len's neurologist has scheduled him for a Nerve Biopsy
to investigate the possibility of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP),
which is an immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system.

~~~