ANDY’S UPDATE April 2, 2009

Dear Friends,

It’s been a difficult few days for us. The out patient clinic care just isn’t sufficient. Andy is getting barely an hour a day of physical therapy and we are not very impressed with the therapist. He is pretty discouraged with his progress; not just the arm, but his mental fatigue and limitations. So, we spoke with the leadership at our mission and they have encouraged us to return for a few months to the US for further treatment. We have booked flights and will arrive in Chicago on Easter Sunday. TEAM has reserved an apartment for us at their headquarters in Wheaton and is setting up rehab appointments for Andy at the Marian Joy Rehab Hospital there in the area. We are grateful at times like these that we have such an excellent mission agency.

There have been moments of real emotional distress this week as we have come to this decision to return to the States. We have felt like we are “abandoning” the people here in Bologna who look to us for help and care. We wish we could be here for them; that we could continue to serve along side them in the ministry here in Italy, but realistically, Andy just is not ready. One of the things that the Lord has been speaking to me about is the question of “trust”. Over the years I have learned (am still learning) to trust Him for my life, even in times of trial. Now the Lord is saying (again), “Will you trust Me for them, too?” Can I trust the Lord to keep those I love? Can I step back and watch them struggle, knowing that He who has never failed me will also not fail them? Can I allow them to face trials, leaning on Him alone, and not me? These are difficult lessons, but essential.

I am thankful today for each of you who help carry our burdens. As you think to pray for us, would you go beyond that and pray for those we love? Would you pray for our son Luke and his wife Elli who are walking through a dark time right now? Would you pray for Luca, our dear brother and elder of our church, who is carrying a very heavy load and was counting on Andy? Would you pray for Ester, our precious sister, who is seeking to lead the ministry of Youth for Christ here in Italy and who was counting on me? Would you pray that the Holy Spirit will come upon them in a new way and renew their strength day by day?

“Brethren, let us pray one for another.”

Gratefully yours,

Andy and Linda

(It is our intention to return to Italy when Andy is fully recovered. We are hopeful that we will not be in the US for more than 3 months. We appreciate your continued support of us during this time of illness.)