I wanted to take a moment today to thank our many friends who are praying and trusting God with us regarding the physical needs in our son Larry’s life as well as our spiritual need for God’s sustaining grace and power.
About a week before Thanksgiving, Larry was summoned to the hospital for an emergency surgery. After the initial surgery and further consultations and studies conducted, it was determined that Larry should have a second surgery. This surgery (RPLND) was conducted at Kaiser hospital in Los Angeles, California, in late December. Although Larry had some post-surgery complications with the condition on his ileum, we are thankful that God brought him through the surgery and has blessed him with healing since the surgery.
Due to the discovery of cancer in some lymph nodes in Larry’s abdomen, the prescribed course of treatment was adjuvant chemotherapy.
Larry recently completed his first course of chemotherapy (beginning thirty days after the surgery date). As of this writing, he is beginning the second course, which includes five consecutive days this week of intravenous chemotherapy for several hours each day.
Between the surgeries and the chemotherapy, Larry has experienced some challenging days, but his spirit has remained steadfast in the Lord, and he and Ashley have encouraged one another throughout the entire process.
We have studied Larry’s type of cancer extensively and we are following the standardized course of treatment for his particular need. Our hope, however, does not lie merely in the good prognosis of the doctors; it rests in the hands of our powerful God. Early on in the process, God gave me the verse Psalm 71:5, “Thou art my hope, O Lord….” I know that Larry and Ashley are also hoping and trusting the Lord throughout this process. God’s Word promises in Psalm 9:10 “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”
Please continue to pray for our family as we seek the Lord through this time. Pray for Larry especially over the course of the next several days as he goes through this intense time in his life, and pray for Ashley as she supports her husband.
Last week I had an awesome few hours with Larry as we traveled together to join his brother Matthew on the occasion of his engagement to be married. As always, I was encouraged and stimulated by Larry’s conversation. He has deep insight into the work of the local church and current affairs in our country. I can sense his passion is strong to preach again and to make a difference in his generation.
Once again, we ask your continued prayers for Larry during this next course of treatment. Pray that God through the medicine and by His healing hand will raise Larry up a different and an anointed man for His glory. Pray that we as a family will not waste this trial and that we will learn all that God has for us.
I’m so thankful to our staff who have labored diligently with me through this time. I’m thankful for a loving church who has prayed compassionately and fervently. I’m thankful for many of our pastor friends and their congregations who are praying for Larry, Ashley, and our entire family.
This is a different season for us, but we know this is a time that is very important and allowed by God. May God richly bless you for your care, your concern, and your prayers on our behalf.
