The Unexpected
The unexpected so often happens. Trusting God when the unexpected is inconvenient or unpleasant has a basic requirement: that you know Who He Is. I’ve noticed that those who feel like they can’t trust Him… just don’t understand that He is almighty and loving.
A lot has happened since our last blog post. Our lives have been turned upside down by the unexpected and unpleasant and inconvenient. And yet, because we know who God is, our hearts are at peace.
Two weeks ago, my Father had a brain haemorrhage. As soon as we found out, my sister, Jemimah, and I began to think and plan to come back to Australia. God’s hand was on our trip and we arrived back here three days after his haemorrhage. Our lives have been pretty much lived in the ICU ward and waiting room for the last week and a bit.
Dad is doing well. Time is yet to reveal how much the haemorrhage has damaged his brain and what sort of damage was done, but he is speaking, joking, walking, reading… albeit a lot slower than he was two weeks ago. Yesterday, the docs took out what we’ve been calling his “brain drain” (hose sticking into the top of his head draining away liquid accumulating above his brain). And today, they are comfortable enough with his improvement to suggest moving him out of ICU into a regular ward. So, even though he isn’t “out of danger” yet, he is improving and seems to be improving rapidly. We are thankful to the myriad of people who surrounded us and him with prayer throughout this.
And yes, the war in Ukraine has seen an escalation in seriousness, what with Russia’s troop movements over the past week. More and more people are fleeing the conflict, and we’re in a position to help. We accepted 8 people from the area of fighting into our home this week. Their stories are sad and they are so grateful for the help. No one knows how long this craziness will continue, so they have no idea for how long they will be needing a place in which to live.
Naturally, for our family, the upheaval this new situation will cause cannot be compared with that of these refugees. However, I’m sure that Pris, in particular, will appreciate your prayers for strength over the next several months as we effectively double or possibly even triple the numbers in our household.
I will be returning to Ukraine on the 11th of September. Assuming Dad continues to do well, I’ll fly down to Sydney on Friday or Saturday and begin the countdown until I can once again hold my beautiful wife in my arms and gather my girls around… yes. That’s a pleasant thought right now.
Thanks for your prayers. God is a mighty and loving Father.