TOM:
It's funny how low islander expectations are when it comes to men taking care of their family. This week as I've told people about being on our own without Megan, I've had many mention my hardship. But with the exception of missing my love, the day-to-day living hasn't been that bad. Of course we do have a house helper who comes and washes clothes and sweeps floors which is a great help, but most people seemed surprised that I can cook anything, men and women. The number of times someone has asked me this question this week is almost comical. "You know how to cook?" They ask skeptically. "Yes," I reply, "I learned to cook when I was single." I said this at first thinking it was a good explanation, but then I remembered that this still didn't really make sense to them. Men are so helpless when it comes to cooking that single men are expected to just go around and eat at the homes of relatives or friends. A man cooking for himself??? For his family??? Simply amazing! (It also helps when your wife gives you a week's list of recipes and detailed instruction of what to do.)
I’ve always known that one of the great value of having two parents is the ability to tag team. But I thought this was more important with multiple kids. Since I was traveling with just one kid, I didn’t think it would matter…I was wrong. Every line, every errand, every detour, I would have to bring my son with me. Boy, did I wish Tom were around for…
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| Our youngest- day before surgery |
The day of waiting…I knew there was going to be a fair amount of stuff to do to get our son properly registered for his surgery. So we went to the hospital early on Tuesday morning. I expected it would be at least a couple hours. It ended up being an unending bad dream lasting over 5 hours. I always thought I was progressing in the process, getting closer to the end, only to unexpectedly be asked to go someplace else and wait in some other line. Over 5 hours of dragging my 3.5 yr old with me, trying to sound positive he begs nonstop, “Mama, let’s get outta here!”
Waiting through the surgery… I saw my son walk with the surgeon and anesthesiologist toward the OR, they said they’d give him another plastic glove balloon. It was the first time my son had let me out of his sight during our time Kenya. I wasn’t allowed any farther, so I took the opportunity to slip back into the waiting room. Suddenly it felt very lonely and the stress of the preceding days hit me, combined with the current concerns for my son. “Was he right now realizing that I didn’t follow him? Was he asking where I was and feeling abandoned?” All I could do was pray and shed a few tears. I knew there were people around the world praying for my son but all the same, I was sitting in that room with a bunch of strangers.
Post-surgery…I was sitting in the recovery area of the OR. My son was in my lap moaning and squirming uncomfortably having woken up from the anesthesia. He was whining that he wanted to go home. He had already yanked out his IV and the nurses suggested that perhaps it would be better to discharge him and get him “home” (the motel is just across the street after all). But here’s the thing— there’s no way my son is walking. With my herniated disk, I can’t carry him that far (he’s a big boy now). Plus, they say someone has to go, wait in line at the cashier, pay, and then wait and pick up the post-op prescriptions to complete the discharge process. I can’t carry my struggling son through all of that, even with a healthy back. “Are you alone?!?” they ask, seeing my predicament.
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| Day of surgery, recovering at motel |
Thankfully God provided at every step. Our young son showed an amazing amount of endurance being dragged every which way. And at the last moment, when I needed someone to come to my rescue, God used several current and former island workers to get someone to the hospital who could carry/cuddle our little one while I paid and got him fully discharged. We’re never completely alone.
PRAYERS ANSWERED
God was with us at every difficulty this week! Our son’s surgery went well! There were no complications with the procedure or anesthesia. He went willingly with the doctors into the OR (a small miracle). Megan already sees a difference in his hearing!
PRAYERS REQUESTED
Our family will still be separated until Thursday. Pray that David’s follow-up visit will go well and that the final logistics and travels back to the islands will go smoothly. We’ve heard that the worker who was medically evacuated last month— is seriously ill. We haven’t gotten a clear picture, but it sounds like she may be dying. Continue to lift her and her husband up. The month of fasting begins this week— please pray for the islands during this critical month. If you want a day by day prayer guide for the islands then send us an email.
