The 4 Little Pigs!

For those of you whom we keep up with on Facebook this will be somewhat of a repeat; we simply ask for your continued prayers. : ) Our family is physically having a bit of a rough fall. Our bodies are trying to adjust to new seasonal allergies, local germs and city viruses. At least one member of our family has been ill in some fashion since late September. We were warned that this would probably be the case our entire first year in country, so we are trying to make healthy choices and strengthen our immune systems as we go. However, this last round of illness has really knocked us hard. It is most likely that we have had the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu). The official testing for the H1N1 is expensive and the hospitals are not giving it if a person has all of the symptoms as well as confirmed family, friends or school mates with the virus. All of that applied to us, so we have simply been trying to manage the illness the past 2 weeks by keeping hydrated and keeping fevers as low as possible. We thought we were out of the woods. Everyone had been fever and symptom free (aside from congestion) for 36 hours so we scheduled a well doctor's check last Wednesday(requirement to go back to school); however, in the early hours of the morning the virus came back stronger than before. William stared vomiting and running a fever again, Grace's headache returned and Matt came down with all the symptoms! After almost 12 hours of constant vomiting, William was extremely dehydrated and needed medical intervention. I took him to the hospital where for almost 48 hours he received IV fluids, anti-nausea meds. and antibiotics. He was one miserable little boy. If you know William's past history with asthma and phenomena, you will realize what a miracle and answer to prayer it is that his lungs were basically clear. They showed a little congestion, but not so much so that he required any treatment. Grace continued with headaches and body aches for an additional 24 hours. She is now (aside from a little congestion) symptom free. Matt continued with digestional issues and a high fever for 5 days. (48 of the worst hours of that time he was by himself trying to take care of Grace!) He is basically on the mend now. He is weak and tired, but good. He and William both contracted a secondary bacterial infection. They say that is very common with H1N1. I am tired, as you can imagine, but overall good. I have hearing loss in my left ear so my current head congestion is a bit maddening. I feel like I am in a fog and talking in a can. I also get dizzy easily. Thank you so much for your prayers and emails. You have been such an encouragement. Our team here has been amazing, too. We are so blessed.
We realize that this too will make us stronger...physically as well as emotionally and spiritually if we look for how the Father is working. We are not surprised that new relationships were formed in this process, and we were able to test how deep in relationship we are with some people. I cannot tell you how touched I was the night William needed to go to the hospital. Some American friends of ours volunteered to take us and help me with translating (& much more!); however, traffic was stacked so they did not reach William & me as quickly as they had planned. This left us at the street curb in front of our building for a little while. During that time, many of the people on our street that we have been getting to know left their businesses and came to us asking how they could help; they brought us chairs; and offered their traditional words of "get well" and "blessings". It was very touching. Over the last 3 days, many have come to check on us, bring us food and offering their well wishes. God is good and we are praising Him for the opportunity to go deeper in shared relationships with people. He works all things for HIS glory. Remembering tonight to turn ALL things into Praise for Him, AT


"Blessed be Your name when the road is marked with suffering; when there's pain in the offering; Blessed be Your name!"