BTU Update June 2013

Dear friends and family,
as of this date, if you haven’t heard already, we are doing 24-7 care for AnnMarie’s mom.  She has suffered a collapsed lung as a result of a fleshy obstruction in her left lung.  She now only has the use of her right lung.  To put it crudely, she had two lousy lungs now she has only one.  They have on 4+ liters of 0₂ and she is very weak and tired.  Some of you might be asking how long does she have.  Quite frankly we do not know and no one is telling us.  She could go on like this for months or she could last just a few more weeks.  Her mind is still sharp, she has no pain but has difficulty expressing her needs sometimes.  She is ready to go.  She is at peace and she has no regrets.  She looks forward to coming into the fullness of God’s Kingdom and being reunited with loved ones who have gone before her.

Alan gets up to watch her at 3:00 am (AnnMarie goes to bed then), then AnnMarie is up around 10:00 or so, so that we can have some contact time.  They have nurses coming a couple times a week and nurse’s assistances coming almost every day.  The good news is that in addition to the wonderful caregivers who we have been coming, she has been receiving spiritual care as well.  Last week a chaplain who serves at the hospice stopped by to check on Virginia and us.  Her prayers and encouraging words were most welcome.  Friends have also stepped in so that we haven’t missed any Sundays at church, although they are no longer able to attend, home group, Tuesday prayer or serve at the first worship service.

Ukraine is out for this summer.  Alan had wanted to go, but just wasn’t getting the peace to go.  So when Virginia was hospitalized it seemed to confirm that he wasn’t to go this year.  As it turns out there will be no Zatseni camp for the 20 somethings.  Two couples are getting married this summer and there were some issues with the tents.  Alan had hoped to serve along side his friend Yuri in eastern Chernighiv Oblast, but we are afraid that is off too.

Alan has some minor surgery to have this summer; we are hoping that it will not interfere with Virginia’s care.  We do have an option for her to return to the hospice care facility for up to 5 days – we may need to take advantage of that.  

Alan’s writing and teaching have been stopped for the summer but he hopes to be back at it in the fall.

Prayer Needs

Please continue to pray for peace, wisdom and strength as we continue to minster to Virginia.
Pray that God will make new opportunities for serving
Please pray that we might find jobs when the time comes.

Praising God for:

Strength, patience and compassion
All those who are praying for us
For the friends who have stepped in and given us relief
For how God has prepared us for this time

Blessings to you all in Jesus Name,
With Love,

Alan & AnnMarie Beckett