Sonidos Serranos

Sonidos Serranos: Sounds of the Sierras...
Reflecting some of my family's interests: God's wonderful creation (especially mountains and hills!), music, and language...

Psalm 121:1-2 (NASB)

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.

16 April 2011

April 16: Update on Jonatán

We're thankful for another day with our Jona. We are becoming increasingly aware of the fact that every day – every breath – is truly a gift from God. Then again, none of us knows our chosen time...

Yesterday actually marked three weeks since that Friday evening when we thought our Good Shepherd was calling Jona to his eternal Home. We are grateful beyond words for the extended time God has given Jona to minister to us, to so many friends and extended family, and to many others who have never met him.

Let us say, once again, how much we appreciate you. Thank-you for taking time to write and encourage us. Thank-you for so many other ways in which you minister to us as Jona's extended family. Thank-you, most of all, for praying...

Please continue to pray:

Pray for Jona. Breathing is increasingly difficult for him. As we sit by his side (especially through the nights), we notice that pauses between breaths are becoming longer and more frequent.

Pray for continued wisdom, especially for Esteban and Esther, as they oversee Jona's care. Swallowing (and therefore eating or taking medicine) is becoming more and more challenging.

Pray for rest – and peace. Night hours, as you know, are hardest. Jona is now experiencing periods of very deep sleep (even during the day); at times he is hard to awaken when the next medicine is due.

Pray for Jona's Uncle Daniel who will be arriving from Uruguay on Tuesday, April 19. Rejoice with us in God's marvelous provision! Amazingly, an air miles ticket for Monday opened up this afternoon during the call to the airlines!

Of course, life would not be real life without moments of added excitement: Like Marcos trying to help his normally sweet little dog while he (the dog) was fighting off some bees. The result was a half-inch gash on the back of Marcos' hand! OR like what happened a few minutes ago while Esteban was trying to do the routine task of changing a main water filter... The water pipe broke! He says he can fix it in only an hour; if you read this right away, please pray (for his sake) for that to be the case!

Thank-you for praying! We continue to trust the faithful and good hand of our loving Shepherd...

11 comments:

Laura said...

Hope the water pipe is fixed! :)
Still remembering and praying for Jona... and you guys.

Erin said...

Praying right now for Jona and the family to get rest and for the water pipe to be fixed quickly.

Unknown said...

Praying now for Jona, the family, and the pipe. It amazes me how you refer to these moments as "added excitement." Most people (myself included) wouldn't have the best attitude about all the extra stress. You all are the epitome of God's wonderful grace and peace. Thank you for being such good examples.

Deborah said...

As Jona so often has reminded us: "GOD is amazing!"

Karen said...

God is certainly using Jona to minister in my life and many others. Thank you for sharing with us and helping us to pray. He is our gift from God. Please express our gratitude and love. Know that our family and church in Beasain, Spain are praying without ceasing. "He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;" Acts 17:25 When I wake and pray each morning it is nighttime for Jona. I am grateful for a special ministry for those of us in other continents and time zones.

Carrie said...

I pray for you all often. Love you!

Patricia Westry said...

Deborah, we continue to pray! I know it's hard, but we are so thankful for our wonderful Comforter!
I would recommend that you ask the doctors to prescribe liquid meds. They have morphine suspension and certain pharmacies can help w/ formulating/compounding according to patients' needs.
I pray that Jona gets some relief and y'all some much-needed rest.

Anonymous said...

"Praise to the Lord of the frail and the ill, who heals their afflictions or carries them till they leave this tired frame and to paradise fly
to never be sick and never to die."

Anonymous said...

Thank you for continuing to update the blog. You all are a blessing to us. I've not met Jona, but my children have known Jona for years, and their verbal testimony of him has been an encouragement and blessing to me. It is clear that he is faithful in showing others the love of Christ. I have been praying throughout this trial, and will continue to pray. "I will love Thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock." Ps 18:1-2

Anonymous said...

You do not know us but we have been praying for you and this wonderful young man for many months. He is on our prayer request list at school and here in our home. His testimony is such a strong encouragement to me in my life. May God place His hand of peace and strength on you all during this time.

Marilyn Rea said...

Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me bless His Holy Name! Praying for all of you. So glad Daniel is coming, I trust he will be a blessing to each of you at this wonderful-terrible time.So glad you can be together! Praise the Lord for His goodness to each of you. Love to all!