Do you ever wonder “why”? So do I. Then God gives me a glimpse of His perfect timing and I am struck again with His goodness and wisdom.
While we were in the United States the 26 year-old daughter of the lady who cleans, does laundry and cooks all the meals for the pastors became ill. Tests have so far not shown anything even though she has lost the sight in one eye. She is hoping to go back to work very soon, but it all hinges on the results of a spinal tap. They have been able to get medical care through charity organizations and the government hospital, but, as in the United States, not all hospitals have the equipment to run all the labs and so specimens are sent out. Such was the case with Angela’s test on the spinal fluid. The tap was scheduled for the 18th of September. They were just getting into the taxi when the doctor called and informed them that the procedure was postponed for a week, to Thursday, September 25.
Back track with me. We arrived August 12 and August 13 our elevator died. Really died. It needed parts sent in from abroad. We were three plus weeks without it, hiking five flights of stairs every time we went anywhere. I had already had some irritation of my Achilles tendon before we returned, but it went crazy going down the stairs. The whole heel area began to swell. I took Ibuprofen and my stomach complained. I put special compounded creams on it and my heel still complained. I stopped wearing shoes with backs, but I needed both a 1 ½-inch heel or higher and an arch support as my posterior tibialis ligament was becoming inflamed in reaction to the Achilles and my arch was collapsing. I needed to see the doctor.
I made an appointment for September 17 and saw my rheumatologist for other things and, while I was there he spotted my foot and was very concerned. He did not think I needed to see the orthopedist, but he contacted the Physical Therapist and I saw her Tuesday the 23rd. The PT would not touch my foot without instructions from my orthopedic man.
Now I have a wonderful orthopedic doctor. He topped all the medical exams here, but his first training was physical therapy so he is very conservative in his treatment. He has office at three different hospitals (the norm here) and was closest to our home on Wednesdays. I was ready to leave for that office when, for some reason, I contacted the office to confirm that he would be able to see me. His hours changed while we were in the US! He is now there Tuesdays and Fridays. But I have a meeting this Friday, right during his office hours. They suggested I go to his office at St. Luke’s hospital on Thursday, September 25.
I did. After my visit I climbed into a taxi to return home and just then a text arrived from Paul. Fely, my employee, had an urgent need to talk to me. I called her to learn that the tap was completed and she had the spinal fluid on ice to be taken to the lab at St. Luke’s. “Ate (Ah-tay), I don’t know where to go there.” I asked how much money she had and did not get a clear answer. I had the taxi turn around and take me back the five blocks we had traveled and I waited for her.
When Fely arrived at the hospital, I again asked how much money she had as we went to the lab. When she told me I knew she would not have enough. “Lord, I don’t have the cash, but I thank you I have my Visa card!” Everyone has to pay the charges before they will complete the paperwork or take specimens from them. I sat a distance away to let her be her own person, but I heard them say a price more than three times the amount she had! It was with joy and thanksgiving that I stepped up and told her I would cover it.
What if they had done the test last week? What if I didn’t have that tendonitis? What if I had seen the doctor yesterday? It would have taken too long for me to get to the hospital from our home if I had not been right there. The specimen would have been spoiled. The test would have been for naught.
Awesome God, what a Wonder You are! Your ways are perfect!
My foot? Oh, I expect it to heal right up now. (The doctor was very positive.)
Patty
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Sept 2008 update
Greetings from the Ellises in Manila! Here's an update on how we're doing. We arrived home August 12 about 11:30 PM and were delighted to see the elevator working. Our business manager had informed us it had not been working for a while before we left. We piled our checked baggage along the wall and brought our carry-ons into the elevator. Up we went. We were anticipating our arrival to the front door when the lights went out and we jolted to a stop. Ever been on a elevator with electrical problems at 11:30 at night? I hear broken elevators are dark to begin with, but I can tell you that at 11:30 PM there is NO light at all! We were very comforted to know that the guard had helped us with the bags and knew we were in that elevator. Sure enough, after about 3 minutes the lights came on and we jerked our way to the ground floor. Up the stairs we trudged, leaving our check-ins with the guard. Ah, our own bed! How sweet it was.
The bags rode up the elevator before 8 AM the next morning and by afternoon the elevator really broke down and has not run again. The repair men hauled a 440 pound part up the stairs (six flights) and it still does not work. Our Christian landlord told Paul he was giving the company Wednesday and Thursday to get it fixed before he "lowers the boom"! Please pray. He has spent much money. This is an office building and he is in danger of loosing tenants.
Praise the Lord, we have wheels, we have parking! Tuesday night was the wagon's first night in it's new stall. Ironically, the parking is next door on the street behind us, but we have to walk around the block to get to it. So close, but so far. It is closer than the old parking, though. And less expensive. Glory!
We also praise the Lord for the sale of our car before we left. That was a huge relief for us. The boxes with the 50 manuals have now arrived safely. Please continue to pray about the rental situation for our home in Indio. The family living in the home have been out-bid on prospective houses, but continue to look for their own home. They are renting on a month-to-month basis.
Paul and I have been busy meeting with leaders of various organizations here, seeking their counsel for our new students and future location of ministry. Interestingly, even after hearing that 31 pastors started the training and 28 finished they tell us "it won't work on a weekly basis." However, our students from last year are adamant that it does work and encouraging us not to change. Based on their advice, we are asking the Lord for up to 36 pastors to begin by September 30 or October 7 at the latest. Please continue to pray for the selection process. We have much to do to be ready.
Two weeks ago Thursday found us visiting a group of graduating Bible school seniors. Their professor was one of the pastors in one of our three groups last year. Pastor Fidel, a former street kid, was also a student when Paul taught welding and metals fabrication skills back in the mid-eighties for young men from depressed areas of metro Manila and nearby provinces. So the visit was encouraging for several reasons. These students are actively learning the same life- application principles of Scripture that Fidel learned. Among the 20 students in Fidel's class is a former orphaned street girl whose Bible school education is now sponsored by Action International Ministries Philippines. Inter-action in discussing biblical principles for overcoming issues of anger and bitterness with these students was so special.
And then there was last Thursday. Paul was able to visit the Philippine national prison where he taught the discipleship & biblical counseling course in 2006 for prisoners preparing for full-time Christian service upon their release. He went with a visiting pastor and his traveling companion from Port Angeles, Washington. They were invited speakers who gave an excellent one-day seminar about the committed Christian way of life. Paul also visited the new pastor's resource center that he was instrumental in setting up. This center is dedicated to the six evangelical churches that are inside this prison compound. A box of donated books from a pastor's library in Caochella Valley, California recently arrived. Another box of donated books from a church in Edmonds, Washington is expected to arrive soon. Some of the books from these donations will be added to this resource center. The Lord is doing great things for these prisoners. We deeply appreciate those who are praying for this ministry.
The bags rode up the elevator before 8 AM the next morning and by afternoon the elevator really broke down and has not run again. The repair men hauled a 440 pound part up the stairs (six flights) and it still does not work. Our Christian landlord told Paul he was giving the company Wednesday and Thursday to get it fixed before he "lowers the boom"! Please pray. He has spent much money. This is an office building and he is in danger of loosing tenants.
Praise the Lord, we have wheels, we have parking! Tuesday night was the wagon's first night in it's new stall. Ironically, the parking is next door on the street behind us, but we have to walk around the block to get to it. So close, but so far. It is closer than the old parking, though. And less expensive. Glory!
We also praise the Lord for the sale of our car before we left. That was a huge relief for us. The boxes with the 50 manuals have now arrived safely. Please continue to pray about the rental situation for our home in Indio. The family living in the home have been out-bid on prospective houses, but continue to look for their own home. They are renting on a month-to-month basis.
Paul and I have been busy meeting with leaders of various organizations here, seeking their counsel for our new students and future location of ministry. Interestingly, even after hearing that 31 pastors started the training and 28 finished they tell us "it won't work on a weekly basis." However, our students from last year are adamant that it does work and encouraging us not to change. Based on their advice, we are asking the Lord for up to 36 pastors to begin by September 30 or October 7 at the latest. Please continue to pray for the selection process. We have much to do to be ready.
Two weeks ago Thursday found us visiting a group of graduating Bible school seniors. Their professor was one of the pastors in one of our three groups last year. Pastor Fidel, a former street kid, was also a student when Paul taught welding and metals fabrication skills back in the mid-eighties for young men from depressed areas of metro Manila and nearby provinces. So the visit was encouraging for several reasons. These students are actively learning the same life- application principles of Scripture that Fidel learned. Among the 20 students in Fidel's class is a former orphaned street girl whose Bible school education is now sponsored by Action International Ministries Philippines. Inter-action in discussing biblical principles for overcoming issues of anger and bitterness with these students was so special.
And then there was last Thursday. Paul was able to visit the Philippine national prison where he taught the discipleship & biblical counseling course in 2006 for prisoners preparing for full-time Christian service upon their release. He went with a visiting pastor and his traveling companion from Port Angeles, Washington. They were invited speakers who gave an excellent one-day seminar about the committed Christian way of life. Paul also visited the new pastor's resource center that he was instrumental in setting up. This center is dedicated to the six evangelical churches that are inside this prison compound. A box of donated books from a pastor's library in Caochella Valley, California recently arrived. Another box of donated books from a church in Edmonds, Washington is expected to arrive soon. Some of the books from these donations will be added to this resource center. The Lord is doing great things for these prisoners. We deeply appreciate those who are praying for this ministry.
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