February, 2005 - Page 2

I have been classified as having Stage IV cancer (of 4 stages), and my prospects are rather grim. Nonetheless, I remain cheerful and hopeful and want to spend what years God grants me in joy and thanksgiving, serving as and wherever I can.

I will need to be scanned every three months to see if the cancer has spread to other organs. Since the cancer already has metastasized, humanly speaking, this is very likely. I am trying to do all I can to fight the cancer by boosting my immune system, radically changing my diet, and getting exercise and proper rest.

Bearing up emotionally

People always want to know how I am doing emotionally. In general I am very much at peace. Although I pray for healing, I do accept what God has given to me and do not view it as something “bad” that has happened to me. Already I see the beauty of suffering and how it can give birth to humility, thankfulness, compassion, a clearer vision of what is important, and a deeper love for Christ. These are blessings that I did not expect. I have had the joy of seeing how many people love and care for me. I have heard of so many that are praying for me and am touched by their love and concern. I have never received so many cards and flowers in my life, and I am delighted and encouraged by them.

Despite all this, I do have times of discouragement. In those moments, I try to remember all the blessings I have experienced--and there are many. I take comfort in so many beautiful words in the Psalms and other passages of Scripture. I remind myself often that “His strength is made perfect in my weakness,” and I am seeing just how weak I am and how desperately I need God's strength.

I also find myself repeating throughout the day phrases from the morning prayers, such as, “Teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to be patient, to forgive, and to love.” I pour my heart into these prayers because they express what I truly need. Also, I pray for others. My own situation helps me to feel much more deeply the sufferings of others and drives me to pray more earnestly for them. If any of you has special prayer reqeusts, I would feel blessed to be entrusted with them.

Family support

Nathan has been amazing through all of this. He has supported me through every step of the treatment process. He's been my companion on every trip to the clinic and through two hospital stays. He has had to observe several rather gruesome procedures and has been assigned some rather nasty tasks in my care, but he's done it all with a very level head and much good humor. He also has managed to pick up some great skills in medical care. The most precious thing, though, is that fact that his love for me has grown through this experience, and he expresses it often. I feel myself to be the most blessed of wives and cannot imagine having to go through this without Nathan's love and strength to sustain me.

My family also has been wonderful. My parents welcomed us into their home and have been so supportive through their love and prayers. They've also played a major role in caring for our children during our many visits to the clinic. My brother's family and my sister, who live nearby, also have been immensely helpful, especially with child care and providing us with a cell phone.

Our family in Christ also has been wonderful. We have heard of people all over the U.S. and the world that are praying for us. I have been amazed by the vast network of caring Christians that rises to pray for an afflicted sister in Christ, and I am so grateful that they are “pounding the gates of heaven” (as one friend expressed it) for me.

Since most of the treatments that tie me to Mayo Clinic have been completed, we are now giving thought to traveling around the U.S. to visit friends, family, and many of you who have supported so generously our work in Albania . We look forward to seeing you and expressing in person our thanks for your encouragement, prayers, and financial support. This will also serve as our bi-annual speaking tour which we had planned originally to do this fall. At the completion of our tour in July, if my three- and six-month scans show no new cancer growth, we plan to return to Albania to resume our work there.

We would ask you to pray for us--for healing, strength, wisdom, and grace.

May God bless you for your love and concern.

Love in Christ,

Lynette Hoppe.