November 21: Update on Jonatán

The date for Jona's surgery has been set: Tuesday, November 24. Please pray fervently!

Sometimes it's hard to know what to think... Thankfully, the Lord is very clear as to Where we should look:

Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith...

(Hebrews 12:1-2)

In the last update I stated that the tumor had shrunk almost 30% – but upon carefully examining the beginning and ending x-rays (at Esteban's request), it was admitted that the tumor had not shrunk anywhere near that amount. It's another good reminder that our faith must be in the Great Physician alone – only HE is ultimately the One who can and does heal! And HE wants us to ask!

Last week's updated prayer list included a request that Jona's arm be spared. We are praising the Lord that the orthopedic surgeon is planning to do that. He did say, however, that he will have to take the shoulder because the tumor is so high in the bone. So, a shoulder replacement surgery is being planned.

We continue to be encouraged – in Christ! And we are counting our blessings, thoroughly enjoying precious time as a family with the Garwood grandparents who are currently in town. In fact, to hear Jona and his Grandpa joke around, you would think we didn't have a care in the world!

Here they are, comparing how much (more than ever!) they look alike.

And last night as we were leaving, Elizabeth was brushing her hair out of her face; Jona remarked that he too had the same problem with his hair getting so long! The look of confusion on Elizabeth's face was priceless! (How I wish I could've gotten it on camera!)

Last night we also had the blessing of listening to "The President's Club Awards" on CD. Jona received the "Overcomer Award" (a huge surprise to him) during a chapel service on campus this past week. And the entire ninth grade class (and their families) were publicly commended for the way they have rallied around Jona and his family. The dear folks at the academy and university have been such a wonderful testimony of what true believers in Christ should always be. We are so humbled and blessed...

As we face the challenges of this coming week, please do pray fervently:

• That Jona's arm would be spared.
• That the planned shoulder replacement surgery would go smoothly.
• That the LORD, the Great Physician, would completely heal Jona.
• That Christ's name would be made big in the earth – in Jona's life, in the lives of our extended family, in the medical community here, in the eyes of others on the oncology floor, in our churches, and in the lives of our Christian brethren all over the world who are interceding for Jona.

Thank-you for praying!

May Jesus Christ be praised!