“Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act” –Psalm 37:7a
Ok, prayer team, we really need your prayers this week! We haven’t really wanted to talk about this much, so that’s why we haven’t shared it with many people, but we are realizing how much we need prayers, and that’s why we have a prayer team, right?
For a while now, I (Karissa) have been having frequent severe headaches. About a month ago, I finally went to the doctor and got an MRI just to make sure it was nothing serious causing them before we move overseas. We got the results a few weeks ago, and found that I have an arachnoid cyst causing my headaches. This is a fluid filled cyst in between my skull and my brain. As long as it does not grow, it should not cause any more problems other than my headaches. So, there are basically two options. One is to leave it alone and just do a follow up MRI to make sure it hasn’t grown. The second is to do surgery to drain or remove it. I am in the process of trying to see another neurologist to help us decide what we will do.
However, at the same time, I need to get a consultation with a neurosurgeon so that if we do need to do surgery, we can move more quickly. I really want to see someone at the Mayo clinic because I know that they are excellent at what they do. I sent my MRI results to them and they will decide within the next few days if they will offer me an appointment. So, please pray with us that they will say yes to seeing me!
At the same time, we are asking God to heal me, and give us wisdom about what to do. Please ask Him for His healing and wisdom.
We ARE still planning on moving to Papua New Guinea in January. Either I will have surgery before we go, or we will go and just make sure my symptoms don’t increase. Please pray that we can get all this resolved quickly!
We feel stressed and overwhelmed with all of this, as well as our medical appointments for preparing to move overseas. We also do know that this is not as bad as it could be, and we are thankful for that. However, it is a big deal to us, and so we are thankful that “He delights in every detail of [our] lives.” (Psalm 37:23b). That is true for you too, our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. Whatever it is that is going on in your lives, good or bad, big or small, God cares about it.
Thank you for your prayers!
Till All Know,
Matt, Karissa, Ty, and Wyck Long
(Tribal Church Planters in Papua New Guinea)
Please Pray:
– That a neurosurgeon at Mayo will see me
– That God heals me
– That God gives us and the doctors wisdom
– That the cyst does not grow or cause damage
– That God will give us peace and joy amidst this
– That God will help us to love others well
Praise God:
– That my diagnosis was nothing more serious
– That our boys are doing well- healthy and happy
– Ty has been learning and talking more about God lately. It is so cool to see!