Fall is here - Giving Thanks

Hello Family,



I know a lot of you are praying for my Dad and he is in your thoughts. I thought I would take a minute to share how his community has responded and is lifting up Mom and Dad daily.

A local pastor's wife, Marcia, has taken over a ride log so Dad has a ride every day down to his treatments and Dr appointments. Mom has started a new job this summer and has been unable to accompany him. She has coordinated the whole thing and not once has Dad had to drive himself. God is good. The local pastors, part of a multi-denominational group called One Voice, have been predominantly the ones to drive him. His sister Darline will be in town tomorrow and will start driving him for two weeks or so.

Also, his worship pastor, Hal Ferguson, has led a widespread fund-raising effort to cover any medical costs associated with his treatments. So far over $33,000 has been raised. This has mostly come from local churches in the Lehigh Valley, people from Our Father's House (Dad's church) and from other pastors who have mentored or have been mentored by Dad. This is truly a testament that God will provide in a time of need. He has literally used the network of believers to remove the financial burden this disease placed on my parents. This is a testament to Dad's calling to unify the local churches regardless of ideology.

Last Sunday a local Baptist church organized a community-wide concert and fundraiser. They raised over $2000 and over 40 individuals wrote Dad notes on how he had touched their lives in a gratitude offering.

He has finished 4 weeks of a 7 week treatment course. He has battled through pain and nausea. He has lost ~50 pounds. But he is fighting and the tumor on his tongue is shrinking. Today, for the first time in weeks, he was able to eat a small amount of regular food. We are blessed that some of his normal tongue function (speech and swallowing) is seemingly returning. That was a huge unknown. Thank you, thank you, thank you for every thought, every prayer, every note and card. We are blessed to have such wonderful family and friends.