I think last month I shared with you what a typical week looks like for me here….well typical weeks all can change in a flash when one gets bite by a mosquito that is carrying dengue fever!  Dengue fever is common in the tropicals and only way to treat it…is to let it run its course taking anywhere from 2 – 6 weeks!  After unknowingly getting bite by one of these lovely creatures, I was having a combination of hot flashes, severe body aches, low appetite, and chills for couple days.  I went to clinic and was diagnosed with a ‘cold’ and after 3 days of not feeling better, went to hospital with these symptoms and having a morning of hemorrhaging.  After they did blood work, I was diagnosed with dengue hemo fever that can be fatal if not treated within 7 days of having it!  My WBC cells and platelets were really low and was hemorrhaging from my stomach lining a bit….typically your platelets should be between 300,000-400,000 and mine were only 50,000.  Was humbling experience to be really weak and have someone bathe me and take care of all my needs. I was in the hospital for one week followed by another week of bed rest.  I just went to the doctor on Friday for blood work and my blood counts are back to normal!  Praise God!

Right before my dengue fever episode, I was having a ½ day retreat with God and now see God was preparing me for some extra rest.  I was prompted over and over by the Holy Spirit that day to read Matthew 28:18-20 (when Jesus says “Come to you all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest…take my yoke upon you and learn from it. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’)  Its familiar verse about resting in Jesus and giving Him burdens that can weigh us down.  Sometimes I don’t even realize what burdens are weighing my heart down and when I need to just rest in Jesus and rest from my rhythm of life.  His timing was perfect with bringing about rest in my life when I am too driven to give myself rest that my body needs.  It was actually so good to have rest!  Thank you all who were praying for me through this.  I really felt the grace and peace of God and felt the love of my family of God here.  I received many visitors in the hospitals, flowers, my Thai roommate who stayed with me every night, and even McDonalds when I was sick of  hospital food J  I feel so loved to feel your nearness in prayers even though miles away.

Praises

·         Language Study:  I had a pre-test evaluation for language and barely passed. Finally I see the light at end of tunnel of formal study. I am studying with group of 4 other missionaries preparing to take the Grade 6 Thai Government Language Test on December 1^st.  I have been busting my butt studying and still am the ‘turtle’ in the class…its humbling to be the turtle in learning…but thank God nonetheless for being able to study w/ this really good teacher.

• Recovery from Dengue Fever:  I praise the Lord that I was prompted to go to hospital and receive medication and wisdom of doctors on how to treat me.  I thank God for giving me rest and giving me recovery from dengue.
• YWAM Asia Pacific Conference:  At beginning of month at YWAM conf. with 300 other missionaries that serve God in Asia.  I feel privileged to see God doing miracles in Asia and hear stories of how He is bringing light in dark places.