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.)

Andy’s update March 28

Dear Friends,

I thought it would encourage you to get a little “glimpse” into the Brucato home these days. Yesterday my sister left to return home to Tennessee and her family. In the morning when it was time to go to the airport Andy was so frustrated that he was unable to carry her bags down the stairs and to the car. Later that afternoon he was looking sad and I asked him why. He teared up and said he couldn’t help Cindi with her bags and he couldn’t help me with the trash. After dinner he got up, and without his cane or my assistance, cleaned off the table and loaded the dishwasher!!! That was reason for rejoicing!!

Yesterday he also got his stitches removed and has started his out patient physical therapy. His walking is improving dramatically, but the use of his arm has still not changed. We are looking forward to regaining a little stability in our daily routine. Every morning begins with Andy asking me, “What’s the POA (plan of action) for today?” I am the “official” activity director for now and putting all my creative juices to work! Today we added another ingredient into the daily routine- listening to sermons online. But the highlight of everyday is a hot bath to soak sore muscles, topped off with a few chapters, read by yours truly, of the Chronicles of Narnia.

Oops, better run, Andy is ready to get out of the bath!!

Lots of love and thanks,

Linda

Andy’s Update March 25, 2009

Dear Friends,

Yesterday, after nearly 50 days in the hospital, Andy was discharged!! You can imagine how thrilled he was to pack up his stuff and say goodbye to bed #48! Tomorrow he will begin daily outpatient physical therapy in the same hospital and on Friday he will have his stitches removed. He is making remarkable progress. He is now able to walk around the house using only a cane. His arm is still pretty lifeless, but the therapist is getting some movement of the shoulder muscles. He still has some facial weakness and speech impairment, but his energy level is picking up. We are very grateful for the care he has received and the progress he has made, and we thank each of you for helping us through this difficult time.

Now that he is home our daily routine will be changed again. We will be traveling back and forth to the clinic for daily P.T. To be honest I have been struggling with an inner discouragement that I am not able to do much that is “significant”. Days go by and I ask myself what I have accomplished. Before returning to Italy I had visions of great endeavors for the Kingdom, and now I find myself “fettered”. I have been ministered to by a poem by Amy Carmichael that I share with you, just in case one of you also finds himself facing some limitation, some “captivity”.

ANOTHER SHALL GIRD THEE

Are these the days when thou dost gird thyself

And walkest where thou wouldest, battle days,

Crowded and burdened and yet lit with praise,

Days of adventure; eager, glorious choice

Folded in every hour? Rejoice, rejoice,

O happy warrior, if so it be,

For surely thou shalt see

Jesus Himself draw near and walk with thee.

Or doth another gird thee, carry thee

Whither thou wouldest not, and doth a cord

Bind hand and foot, and flying thought and word?

An enemy hath done it, even so

(Though why that power was his thou dost not know)

O happy captive, fettered and yet free,

Believe, believe to see

Jesus Himself draw near and walk with thee.

So either way is blessed; either way

Leadeth unto the Land of Heart’s Desire;

Thy great Companion’s love can never tire;

He is thy Confidence, He is thy Song;

Let not thy heart be troubled, but be strong.

O happy soul, to whom is given to see

On all the roads that be,

Jesus Himself draw near and walk with thee.

With love, Linda and Andy

All is Well!

Dear Friends,

So sorry to keep you waiting for the news about the surgery. It went well; no complications!! He came out of anesthesia without any trouble; has had some pain, but is getting medicated for that. He has a large incision on the neck- around 10 stitches. Last night he had a drain in the surgical site and IV, but this morning they removed the drain. The reason I didn't get this email off sooner is that I stayed the night with him in the hospital. He was anxious and did not want me to leave his side for more than a few minutes. He also needed help during the night with the urinal and positioning. Socialized medicine is cost effective, but the down side is that there is not enough staff to really care for the patients. The nurses rely on family members for patient care. It is even the responsibility of the patient to notify the nurse when the IV runs out. We are very grateful for the good care he has received and for all the prayers which have surely been heard and answered!!!

He will be transferred back to rehab tomorrow if all goes well today. Then he will continue his physical therapy as an inpatient until probably the middle of next week when he will be discharged. He will then do his PT on an outpatient basis.

I have had wonderful opportunities to share Christ with many in the hospital. This morning I was able to share with the wife of the patient in the room with Andy and give her a gospel of John. I was also able to share with the ambulance drivers that transferred Andy to the surgical unit and give them welcome packets from our church. Yesterday the man who brought Andy out of the OR on the stretcher, speaking about church, mentioned that he had not been since he was 9 yrs. old because God wouldn't want him. I was able to share with him in those brief minutes how Jesus was the One who came to seek the "lost sheep". Oh, how we pray that these little seeds will fall on fertile soil!!

Thanks so much for standing with us during this challenging time. I feel like we have gotten through the most critical period and can now just focus on rehab. It may be a long road, but we are learning to be patient and to "rest" in the Lord, knowing that "this" is our calling from Him right now. We so want to make the most of it, not just endure it, but accept it willingly as coming from our loving Father's hand.

Love,

Linda for both of us

Andy’s update March, 15, 2009

Dear Friends,

Today is the “Ides of March”. Thirty-nine years ago this day Andy was shot while serving in the Navy in Viet Nam. He very nearly died, and at that time was not a believer. We always remember this day as a memorial of God’s grace and mercy to a lost sinner. That dear sinner, now saved by grace and called God’s child, will be facing surgery on Tuesday to remove the plaque in his carotid artery. The surgeon has warned him of the risks of surgery, but not to do the surgery is an even greater risk. To be honest he is fearful. Not for himself, as he knows his eternal destiny is with the Lord, but for his sons. He would love to speak to Michael on the phone before surgery. I have written the Navy recruiter to see if there is any way we can call Michael at boot camp on Monday. Andy just wants to hear his voice again. God, in His kindness to me, orchestrated the events so that my sister would be here. She arrives tomorrow at noon; just in time!!!

This week has had some real “ups and downs”. It was so great for Andy to have Ben and Jennifer here for a week. Saying goodbye was hard on him. I, too, have had some real temptations of fear and sadness this week. One day on the way to the hospital I was crying out to the Lord for His help when I sensed Him speaking into my heart saying, “My child, where did all these fears come from?” I answered, “From things I have seen and heard; from whisperings in my own heart about the future.” Then the word from Isaiah 41:10 came again, “Do not anxiously look about you for I am your God”. The Lord reminded me again that I lose my peace when I take my eyes off of Him and put them on my circumstances. He knows my future; I do not. Can I trust Him for it? Every morning is a new start to choose to trust Him for what comes that day. Tomorrow I want to start “right”, don’t you!

Our dear brother and fellow missionary, Steve Thompson, has created a blog for us to keep you all informed on Andy’s progress. If you are interested you can access our emails from the blog. Here is the link: http://andybrucato.blogspot.com/

Thanks for praying for us, we feel so honored that you care,

Linda for us both

Andy's Update

Dear Friends,

It’s been a while since I have updated you on Andy’s condition. He was home again this past weekend. After I picked him up at the hospital on Sat. morning we went for a drive in the country. It was a beautiful day. We stopped at one of our favorite spots- a stocked fishing lake with a beautiful view and a nice restaurant that serves great sandwiches.

As we sat in the car eating sandwiches and soaking in the beauty, I began reflecting on the first question of the Westminster Confession; “What is the chief end of man?”

“To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Andy and I talked about how his ability to fulfill his “chief end” had not changed one bit since his stroke. Whether he can walk or talk or use his arm, he can still glorify God and enjoy Him fully! Isn’t that a joy? Our true purpose in life cannot be hindered by any disability or illness!

He is making progress daily. He can now walk a few steps with a cane and assistance on his left side. His legs are getting stronger all the time. He still loses his balance occasionally and needs someone to assist him in his movements. He has had some very minimal movement in the muscles of his upper arm, but he still can’t make any significant movement of the arm or hand. His speech is improving slowly and his mind is definitely clearer.

He had another CAT scan and it showed improvement and he is now being reevaluated for surgery. He saw the anesthesiologist this morning and has clearance for surgery. He should see the surgeon this week who will set a date. Depending on the date it is possible they will consider discharging him and continue his physical therapy on an out-patient basis.

So, things are progressing steadily here. We are grateful for all your prayers and help during this long period of recovery. We are seeking to “glorify God and enjoy Him” even in this illness. May He find pleasure in His children!

Love,

Linda, for both of us

Good News

Dearest Friends,

This morning when I went to the hospital to visit Andy he was sitting in the hall in a wheel chair, waiting for my arrival. His face was downcast. I asked him how he was doing and tears welled up in his eyes. He was very discouraged about his progress. It has been a month now since the stroke and he's beginning to wonder if he will ever be discharged from the hospital; if he will ever get "better". We talked about the progress he has made and the courage he needs to keep going each day. We read scripture together, prayed together and talked about our future glory with Christ.

Then this afternoon, after his second physical therapy session, the physical therapist called me in to tell me the good news. Today, for the first time, he had some movement in his arm!! She was very encouraged and said it was "significant" movement and a great sign of recovery!!! Needless to say there were tears again, but this time of joy! Isn't it just like our heavenly Father to give us signs of hope just when we need it most!

This weekend our son Ben and his wife Jennifer arrive for 5 days. We are so grateful to those who are helping our boys pay for flights to come home to see their dad. Isn't it wonderful to belong to the family of God! We are rejoicing today and thanking the Lord for each one of you. Your prayers are being heard and answered! Keep up the good work!!

love,

Linda