Taking Time to Rest & Recover

Back in early January we sent out a newsletter in which we outlined to some extent our upcoming home-assignment.  There I talked about the need for Rest & Recovery, the opportunity to Reconnect & Report, Represent & Raise Support.  I also mentioned that we were anticipating a late June, 2015 start date.  Little did we know then however that we would be starting our home-assignment a bit sooner than expected.  Cirena at some point had injured her shoulder and after a few months of physical therapy, which provided very little relief, we then opted for an MRI.  The doctor in Manila who reviewed her results reported torn tendons as being the cause of her discomfort and suggested surgery to repair the damage.

We then debated whether or not to do surgery in Manila or to head home a bit sooner than expected to have this done.  While we were confident that the doctors in Manila would have done an excellent job, feeling the need to reconnect with family, we opted to return to the U.S. to have this much needed surgery done.  And so, in early February we began packing our belongings, discussing with field leadership ministry responsibilities in our absence, and followed by a great send-off by our MBCC family, by the end of February we were half-way around the world having Cirena’s first doctors visit. He too confirmed the need for surgery and by mid-March she had her surgery completed and has been resting and recovering since.  Following six weeks of mandated sling time, wearing a shoulder immobilizer 23 hours a day, she is grateful now to have been freed from that and has already begun her journey towards recovery.  Her physical therapist seems very please with the progress she has already made but she still has a long road ahead of her towards full recovery.  We would appreciate your prayers in that process.

Leaving friends and co-workers in the Philippines is tough but at the same time, taking time to rest and recover when needed is a necessary part of the missionary life.  While taking time to rest and recover is our primary focus at this time, we praise the Lord for the opportunity we have had to reconnect with at least a few of our family members & friends.  It has also been a blessing to begin reporting on all that He is doing in the Philippines, and to represent our needs for more missionaries and faithful partners.  We look forward to sharing more in the weeks and months ahead while we continue our home-assignment at least through then end of 2015 (Lord willing of course).  Thanks for continuing to pray and partner with us during this time.

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them,

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”“

Mark 6:31