Dear friends, family and partners,

Again, sorry for the delay in reporting my mother's condition, but we were without internet service yesterday evening and most of today.

Yesterday morning (the surgery was "bumped up" because of a cancellation) my mother underwent a successful spinal fusion from an anterior or frontal approach. The doctors were able to stabilize her vertebrae and also remove a dangerous bone spur that was pressing against the cord. I was actually able to speak with her briefly yesterday evening!

The doctors were very pleased with the outcome, but were cautious as they told my sister that, at this point, there is no guarantee that the fusion will hold. They said that there still exists the possibility that she might need another surgery entering from the back side of her neck if her stability changes in any way. She will be having a checkup in two weeks with xrays to see how the fusion is holding and if the doctors are not happy, they will proceed with the other surgery. She will be wearing a very restrictive neck brace for three months and thus will be restricted from driving for that period..

Her doctors were very surprised with her successful result taking into account her age, health conditions, etc; but we knew exactly why she did so well. It was because of the Lord's steady guidance and faithfulness as a result of your prayerful intercession on her behalf. We cannot thank you enough for your faithfulness in taking my mother up to the throne of grace. What a blessing it is to be a part of the body of Christ!

She will remain in the hospital several more days, but she is already making remarkable progress. Thank you for your continued prayers for her recovery.

Could you also pray about two other immediate matters for us? When Hilary left Brazil from her Christmas break in January, she was treated very rudely and harshly by the Federal Police because of our "special status" being still in the court system and without a proper visa. Would you please pray that both Hilary and I will pass through both ends of our trip without any problems?

We are moving this week from the house we've been in for the last two years. Without going into detail, we have had many, many problems with both the real estate company and the owner of the house in getting repairs and maintenance issues resolved. A month ago, a large portion of the ceiling fell down in the kitchen after several days of steady rain. They have yet to resolve this problem, and so each time it rains now, the kitchen doubles as a swimming pool. Because this has been the climax of a series of problems, we are moving.

We already know that both the real estate company and the owner are going to try and "stick" us with enormous repair bills that two different engineers have told us are actually structural problems that have nothing to do with us. Please pray that we can get out of this house without having to "lose our shirts" in the process and that our lawyer, Cirilo, can negotiate for us this quagmire we find ourselves in. Please also pray that we would be able to reflect the love of Christ to all those involved as we go through this.

We are so thankful for all of you. We pray that the Lord would bless you as you have been such a blessing to us.

In His Service,

David for all

- May 6, 2005