Dear friends, family and partners,

Please forgive us if you have not heard from us...it appears that some of you receive our notes and others do not. We are experiencing computer problems as well as internet connection difficulties, so we ask that you would bear with us. I have tried to send out our latest newsletter now for some time, as well as pictures of Lynn's resurrection egg project, but to no avail. I hope that the newsletter will be delivered on the next go around.

The reason for this note is to ask you to please pray for my mother, Nona, as she goes through another delicate and dangerous spinal surgery scheduled for this afternoon at 1:00 pm Eastern Standard time in the US. This surgery is similar to the previous one she had last year for a lower back spinal fusion, except this one involves the cervical vertibrae in her neck. She is in such a serious condition that her doctors had warned her that a sudden jolt in the car or a stumble while walking could result in paralysis from her neck down...thus the urgency in scheduling this case so suddenly. She was planning to come down here with Hilary this week, but she began to experience shoulder pain so she went to the doctor. They found the serious problem and rearranged their schedules so as to "work her in" as soon as possible for the surgery.

The "delicate" nature of the surgery involves an anterior or frontal approach through her throat to get to the affected cervical vertibrae to do another fusion because of degenerative disk disease. However, if the vertibrae are too soft, they must close her back up and wait a week before going back in through a posterior or back incision. This approach is more involved and would require a longer recovery time and more discomfort. Thus, we are asking that you specifically pray that her bones will be stong enough for the repair to be done from the front.

The "dangerous" nature to this case is the fact that she is still not 100% recovered from her previous surgery, is 81 years old, a diabetic and she has a heart condition. When someone has this combination and must go under general anesthesia, there is a much greater risk. However, she is a trooper and her attitude is very good, completely trusting the Lord with her life, knowing that His will is perfect. She says "It's going to be ok, no matter how it turns out."

I will be flying up to Louisville, KY at the end of the week and I will stay until May 25th. Because airlines only reserve a limited number of "frequent flyer award seats" to each flight, I was unable to secure one until Friday, Mar 6th.

I would ask that you please pray for my mother to be calm and at peace before hand, for the Lord's guiding hand for the surgeons, and for traveling mercies for me. I would also ask that you pray for Lynn and the kids as we have much going on here (moving to another house this week - hopefully before I leave, Hilary's arrival in Brazil the day after I arrive in KY, the arrival of our first of two summer interns on May 16th and preparations for an outreach VBS for 100+ favela children the first week in July).

Again, we apologize if you have not received our notes and newsletters. While in the US, I will investigate purchasing a computer to replace this one if funds permit so as to be better in touch with you. Our computer was purchased in October 2001 before our arrival in Brazil, and we have found that the hard drive is dying and it has several other yet to be diagnosed problems. Lord willing, I will return with one on May 25th.

I will let you know what happens with the surgery.

As always, we are grateful for your prayers, encouragement and support.

In His Service,

David

- May 4, 2005