Well it finally happened: Chicago has turned cold, and there is snow on the ground. Some of us are happier than others, but winter is a season we have not experienced for some time. It is fun to wear our sweaters and boots, and there is still a sledding night to be planned for the next time there is fresh snow.
Life has returned back to normal after the Christmas holidays. Everyone is back in school and doing well. Colds and flu for the most part have been avoided. Many people have told us that they have been praying for our children. We really appreciate those prayers. The news that we could not return to Peru for the spring semester due to Joy's health was disappointing for both Cullen and Camilla, but they are learning to rely on God. The first semester ends in Chicago for the public schools this week, and Cullen is studying for two finals he has scheduled. Cullen is also working hard on scholarship applications and seeking God's direction on which college he should attend in the fall. Camilla is also having to put in more time for school work. We mentioned in our last letter that Camilla has enjoyed being involved in a musical theater group for children called Christian Youth Theater. Last November she performed in a musical called Camp Rock, and in February she will be performing in a musical production of Shrek. William spent the Christmas break with us here at Bill's parents home in Chicago and returned to a second semester at Wheaton College. He mentioned how grateful he was to be going to a school with not only high academic standards, but one where he feels encouraged spiritually by his peers on his floor with whom he shares Bible studies and feels personal encouragement.
We also want to update you on Joy's health and again thank you for all your prayers. After a very difficult fall where Joy had many harsh side effects to the combination drug therapy given in August and September, her doctor cancelled the last two doses of this combination treatment and continued the single dose therapy that needs to be taken for 12 months. We are so grateful that she is not experiencing any side effects from this treatment. Most of the side effects from the fall have been resolved except for the nerve damage (neuropathy) in her feet. She still lacks sensation on parts of her toes and balls of her feet, and there is still pain in her feet when she stands or walks for any amount of time. We are encouraged that these nerves do seem to be regenerating and the pain is manageable with medication, and so we appreciate your prayers as we trust that this nerve damage will be completely healed. She continues to get CT scans to monitor if there is any return of the cancer. Our prayer request that these scans continue to show no new growth and that she would be cancer free so that we can return to the mission field and serve the Lord for many more years.
Our family is also deeply mourning the loss of our sister in law, Cindy Rast Lord, after battling a brain tumor for 4 years. She passed away this past December in Sao Paulo, Brazil where she and her family served as missionaries. God graciously gave Joy the gift of a few days with Cindy and Joy's brother Joel in early December a few days before her passing. We also were privileged to attend a service in celebration of her life here in the Chicago area this past month. We appreciate your prayers for Joy's brother Joel and their children Grace, Alex, and Christian.
We are now in a position with Joy's improving health, to be able to finally get on with our furlough goals. We are finally scheduling speaking engagements at our supporting churches and hoping to get together with supporters and friends. If you attend one of our supporting churches (or live near one), look for announcements of our speaking dates. Those in the Chicago area, please reach out to us so this spring we can get together before we start to make our longer trips out East and to the South.
We hope to see many of you soon!
Bill, Joy, William, Cullen, and Camilla
Prayer Requests
1. Continued healing for Joy.
2. Cullen is a finalist for a scholarship at Taylor University. He will be going to Taylor in two weeks for the final project and interview.
3. Pray for dates and times to fall together as we plan speaking engagements and partner activities.
4. Camilla's next performance will be Feb 14-16. Pray for health and strength during this time.
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| Camilla performing during the CYT production of Camp Rock. |
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| Joy and her brother Joel. |
