Snippets from this week

It has been a week or so since I have written a blog post but we have all been enjoying having Simon home that the blog posts have taken a back seat.  However, as of today Simon left for Nairobi again so I am back to blogging :)  He will be gone until Thursday night.  He has some MAF meetings related to his "second job" of Safety officer.  The timing is perfect, in one sense, as he will get the opportunity to go back for a check up, at the hospital, with the surgeon that peformed his back surgery.  His incision looks good but we will see what the surgeon has to say on Wednesday.

Joshua and Zara are both struggling with Daddy being gone again after only being home for one week.   However, they are being brave so I give thanks for that.  Pray that they will do well this week and that the time will go fast.

Just yesterday, before Church, I had to go to the Doctors as I hadn't been feeling 100% the past couple of days.  My suspicions were confirmed in that I have a bacterial infection.  Actually the doctor said, and I quote "... you have a rip roaring UTI (Urinary Tract Infection and you are dehydrated..."  At least it was not all in my head :) It seems to be one thing after another at the moment so would value your prayers for health and strength to return.  Pray for good sleep and the medicine to work quickly.

I did however get to be involved in a special Church service yesterday.  It was a definite first for me in that a close friend of mine was baptised.She had asked, a while ago,  if I would assist the Pastor in baptising her.  It was an honour and privilege to be part of this special occasion.  You can watch the short You tube clip at
Marieke's Baptism

Simon is home - Yippee!

For those of you who are not on Facebook and haven't caught up on the news, Simon is home.  He made it home the early hours of Friday morning and surprised us.  Joshua and Zara were very excited to come into our room on Friday morning and find Daddy there too :)  It is good to have him home and Zara is not about to let him go anywhere anytime soon.  Unfortunately he will be back in Kenya the week after next for some meetings.  She is not too impressed but we will cross that road when we get there.

Simon is doing well and is enjoying pain free living apart from the wound which will heal in time.  He will be under a doctor here in Uganda initially to ensure his wound does not get infected.  At the moment I am playing nurse with cleaning and putting new plasters on.

It will take a couple of days to realise that its all over and that "normal" life can resume.  He will be out of flying for at least 3/4 weeks and then will take it gradually after that.  However, he has made progress since I saw him last Sunday so things are looking good.

Thanks to all of you who were praying and supporting us through phone calls, messages and in other ways too etc.  It was great to know we weren't doing this alone :) 

Simon and Joshua almost home!

I just heard from Simon that he has been officially dishcharged from the hospital in Kenya and is now free to fly back to Uganda.  He is now in communication with the insurance company regarding booking a flight.  When this will be is uncertain right now but hope to hear soon.  He will be under a Doctor here in Uganda to make sure that no infection gets into his wound and then the process of baby steps back to "normal life".  The phone connection between Kenya and Uganda wasn't that good so didn't get all the details but that will come in time.  Thanks for your continued prayer support for us all.

The last two days it has just been Zara and I in the house as Joshua was gone on a school trip for two nights.  He comes back today thankfully so bit by bit our family will be all in the same house at the same time.  What a joy that will be.

Simon is "home"....well our Kenyan home for the last few days :)

As I landed in Entebbe this morning I received a sms from Simon saying that the Doctors were releasing him from the hospital as long as he would come back on Thursday at 9am for an assessment.  He will be staying at Connie and Dan Crum's during these days.   I know he will be well taken care of during that time :)  Plus with it being election day in Kenya tomorrow and the uncertainty of how it is all going to go it is comforting to know that he will be with friends.  Please keep these elections in your prayers that peace would prevail.

Psalm 28:6-9 - God has answered our prayers in more ways that we could imagine and we give thanks for that!

Simon is up on his feet and walking around

Today was another milestone in that I accompanied Simon on a walk outside but still within the hospital grounds.  It was good for him to see more than just the four walls of his room or the corridor outside his room.  Hopefully he will be able to do that when I am gone to help prevent cabin fever :)

It is so encouraging to see him on his feet and looking well.  He does have a slightly different sensation in his left foot than the right one.  However, the doctor assured that this was normal with the disc pressing on the nerve for so long.  He doesn't have any numbness or weakness so that is a blessing.

He will continue to stay in the hospital until the Doctor gives him the green light to be discharged.  We are hoping this will be sometime this coming week.  However, we don't want to rush the rehabilitation stage so we are learning patience.

One other prayer request is that it is voting day in Kenya's elections on Monday.  We are praying for a peaceful time as a new President is voted in.  It wasn't peaceful at all the last time but praying that it will be different this time around.

I will fly back to Uganda tomorrow morning to be with Joshua and Zara.  They are ready for us to come home but realise that Daddy can't quite yet.  It will be good to see them in person and not just via skype :)

A big thanks to our friends Connie and Dan Crum (MMCT) who have looked after us so well this past week and have been my chauffeur back and forward to the hospital amongst many other things.  We appreciate them very much.  Also grateful that I leave Simon in good hands as they check on him when I am in Uganda.

Also a big thanks to Martijn and Marieke Verboom for looking after J and Z so well whilst we were gone.  We appreciate all you did for us too.

Finally, thanks to all of you who have been lifting us up in prayer during these days.  Your prayers have been answered and we give thanks to God for His Goodness in everything these last days.

Simon is on his feet

Simon is doing well.  He greeted me when I walked into his room by getting out of bed and standing straight.  I have not seen him like that in many months.  It was a joy to see.  He needs to be up every two hours to walk around but is not allowed to sit yet but that will come in the days ahead.

We saw a Dr. last night and she said the surgery had gone well.  They were able to remove what they needed to of the damaged disc and free the nerve.  He is enjoying being able to walk without the pain he had before.  He is, however, on pain meds which is good....no need to suffer pain unnecessarily in the post surgery phase.

He saw the surgeon that performed the surgery this morning and he also seemed happy with the progress.  PTL!

It is good to see Simon looking so positive and relaxed.  We pray the progress continues as it has in the last hours.

Thank you to all of you who have been praying for us so diligently.  We appreciate it a lot.