ベサニー・キリスト教会

Well, I am finally back in front of this computer screen. On the 27th of September I went into Blount Memorial Hospital for surgery. The surgery went very smoothly and I really experienced no pain during my whole time of hospitalization. That is not to say that I did not experience much dis-comfort-lines and bags and tubes coming out of my body and being heavily drugged all the time. But I was able to make it through ok and was dis-charged from the hospital on the 2nd of October.

I am now recovering at my parents' home in Maryville, Tennessee. My appetite is still small but otherwise I am doing fine. I walk outside every day and am living a normal life.

However, there is still some cancer left in my body that they were not able to remove. Future surgery will not help either. So, I would ask for your prayers that Reiko and I would be guided as to how we should treat this remaining cancer. There are many methods of treatment available and we need great wisdom. We also need wisdom about our timing as to returning to Japan. Please remember us in prayer!

Otherwise, I am looking forward to returning to Japan as soon as possible. I am looking forward to meeting all of you at church and also I am looking forward to climbing Mt. Kongo again!

Thank you once again for your concern and for your prayers for Reiko and I..

昨日の主日礼拝で、O兄の奨励のメッセージがありました。
あなたがたのうちに苦しんでいる人がいますか。その人は祈りなさい。喜んでいる人がいますか。その人は賛美しなさい。（ヤコブの手紙５：１３）
神様に語りかける二つのことば「アーメン」と「ハレルヤ」。祈りのときに「アーメン」という、この言葉を自分の心は、どれほど真剣に神様だけに向いていて信頼しているのか、また、「ハレルヤ」の感謝と喜びのときに、その思いをどれだけ、心を込めて神様に向かって発しているのか、と改めて考える機会をいただきました。O兄の奨励に、心が熱くなりました。

最近、しばらく礼拝でお会いできていない姉妹達のこと、気になります。体調がよくないのでしょうか。それとも、用事がたくさんあって礼拝に来られないのでしょうか。姉妹達の明るい笑顔を見れず、ざんねんです。ひとりで神様と語り合い祈る時とはまた違った、みんなと一緒に語り励まし会えるよい時間がすごせることを思い出してくださいね。そして、一緒に神様に向かって賛美し、礼拝をささげましょう。

牧師夫妻が米国滞在中で留守の間の平日の活動は一部変更・休止しており、火曜日午後1時半～ベタニア会、水曜日午後2時～祈祷会、をそれぞれ続けています。お友達と誘い合ってでも、お一人でも、結構です。お気軽に、ご出席ください。

MN

I was able to buy tickets to return to Japan today. Reiko and I will be flying out of Maryville, Tennessee on the 25th of October and will be arriving in Osaka, Japan on the 26th. We are really looking forward to seeing all our friends and family and church members. It has been a long long summer!

I believe that we are lined up with a good doctor when we get back so after a couple of weeks I should be able to get involved in local chemotherapy treatment. Medically, my condition is still grim so please continue to pray. However, on a day to day basis, I am doing very well and am living a normal life in all ways. I can drive and can walk long distances and have a good appetite and have no pain of any kind. Truely, God is good!

I will continue to post updates as there is news to share. May God bless. Paul

Reiko and I arrived back in Osaka safe and sound on the 26th of October.On the 30th of October we visited the Kinki University Hospital and were able to set up a schedule for chemotherapy treatments. My first treatment will be on the 7th of November and basically I will go in for a treatment every 2 weeks.

Please continue to pray for my health and for our church here. In the midst of this hard time, God has been faithful and has given Reiko and I the strength that we needed every day. PTL We are confident that God will continue to lead and to guide us on a day to day basis.