Dan

Ten days ago, Dan had the last radiation treatment. The first 27 attacks of radiation on his thigh were "not that bad." The last 6 were very intense. After those 6, his thigh felt like it was sunburned all the way through to the bone. The special gel with aloe vera crystals helped his skin. Even though small blisters rose, his skin did not break. His energy level dropped severely. The doctor says that by Friday this week, his energy level should begin to improve. Dan has not complained. He rests when he has to. He leans on Jesus and is okay.

If you read our last report, you know that Dan asked the Oncologist, "Do you know any reason I should not go to Romania the end of May?" And, you will remember that the Dr. said, "No, there is no reason for you not to go. Go to Romania!" We are into the countdown.

Eleven days...say goodbye to 7401 Maple Drive, NRH, TX. In fifteen days, on May 26, 2008 - we board Delta #1630 at 6 a.m., and say goodbye to Texas. We praise God that each day we get something accomplished. We had the mistaken idea that once our children took what they wanted of our possessions, the rest would be easy.

But we were not counting on cancer entering the picture. Life has many surprises. Without Jesus to lean on, we'd never have made it this far. The fight with cancer is a lonely one. Everyone has their own challenges to deal with, their own life to live. Some days, our battle, combined with moving, was almost too much. Each time I lost my courage by listening to Satan telling me, "It's too much! You'll never be able to do all that you have to do," I could not keep from being filled with despair.

However, God is faithful. He'd bring to my mind that I am not alone, and that prayer is very powerful. As soon as I'd begin to pray for God to help me defeat my negative feelings, my mood would always lift...and I could go further.

When I really knew I could not finish this job alone, Rosemarie, one of our LST Workers, offered to help! She comes two days a week to help me pack. Having her to discuss the best way to pack this or that makes the work easier. Her companionship while we work together has been invaluable. We have shipped two boxes to Dan's family in Oklahoma, 4 boxes to our son in California, one box to our son in North Carolina, 16 boxes of books, clothes for the Red Cross, stuffed animals and a child's drawing board for Pro Nobis Counseling Center, and a few of our things.

We're going to make it because God called us to Romania. (He does not call you to serve Him and then drop you.) We praise our God for His faithfulness. In the face of all kinds of adversities, God carries us. "Though I walk through the Valley of Death, I will fear no evil for you are with me." Psalm 23:4. Isaiah 25 expresses our thankfulness and praise. I hope you will read the entire chapter. Isaiah 25:9 says, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him, and He saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation." -- Anne and Dan